Several Short Sentences about Writing

One of the reasons I'm skeptical of a lot of writing advice books is for how they'll clutter my head with a lot of rules - each of which I'll need to spend time assessing to see if a) they make sense to me, b) they are a rule or a stylistic preference marketed as a rule, c) are important enough for me to put it in my shortlist of editing tools I always use or are more of a general maxim I'll just try to keep in mind. The reason this book really vibes with me, and why I'm comfy recommending it, is I found it does the opposite. It decluttered my mind and helped me see core, highly valuable writing concepts clearly for the first time in a long time.

The author first highlights the disservice a school education does to the skills of writing, which was a little repetitive. The text really takes off after that, explaining how short sentences are important, and how they are the building blocks for longer ones. It’s all about sentences. Sentences are the building blocks, and writers hone the sentences, especially the short ones. He also writes about other things, how an outline is a ‘catwalk’, that you can use outlines at first, but shouldn’t rely too much on them. The entire book is like the medicine you hate that taste of, but have to take it. It’s excellent medicine, though.

I always highlight the important sentences in my books. But in this book I didn't. How could I highlight all the sentences !!! I am blown...!

A few short sentences about this book. It's a painfully rambling read. The way the author has arranged his sentences in broken lines throughout most of the book made it very hard to follow and gave me a headache every time. It's not an insightful, helpful or practical book at all. I honestly don't get the point, the hype, or the four/five star ratings. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone!

Short Review The book was a unique journey. It wasn’t complex, and it wasn’t out of the ordinary. Did it have to be? Again, a book completely shuffles my expectations. There was something peculiar about the writing style, as if it was trying to prove that writing could be unique. A lot of the wisdom were givens. We all knew the answers, we just didn’t know the questions. All books provide knowledge. But few make you think about knowledge. This book was one of the few to do it. It’s special, because it defies any imaginary boundaries set by the readers. No chapters, no paragraphs, no format. But it is organized. Do not mistaken the wisdom as strawn about all over, It is inconspicuously very organized. Much like a school of fish, seemingly very clumsy, But surprisingly flexible once put into action. Throughout the book, the theme was always among the same guidelines. That is to be contrary to what one would think, And to be innovative on looking at subjects from different angles. The wisdom was given raw, without need of long elaboration, \ Or detailed profiling. However, that is by no means calling it simple. Certain things at base value are more complex because of their simplicity. For example: “The first person who needs to be persuaded of your authority, is you.” Not difficult in terms of comprehension, not unique in terms of sage wisdom. But insightful of its application to writing. It really means to have confidence in yourself, something teachers and friends Tell us everyday. So how come we still defy that moral? Klinkenborg gives us the wisdom, and reassurance through inspiration. “The only sure test of your ideas is whether they interest you.” Is the sentence hard to grasp? No. Is the sentence convoluted? No. Is the sentence really as simple as it appears? Yes. We have our doubts because our experiences set standards. But this book seeks to break every single one of them. Instead of breaking order for chaos, It breaks borders to expand the horizon. What better way is there to demonstrate your mastery over a subject, Then to present in a sui generis way? It’s like turning a transcript into guidelines, then reinventing a play for yourself. A baker making cake with pie ingredients, An artist painting with melted crayons. Speaking of a unique way of delivery, let us discuss humor. To hit the right balance is hard. Too forced, and awkwardness threatens the entire play. Too subtle, and nobody would notice. Klinkenborg does it with style, that is deadpan humor. “Let us presuppose she (The other reader) exists.” “Which is more than your education presupposes” It makes you grin, but for such a deep book, That's all you need. To burst out laughing would seem weird in this environment. The humor links up with wisdom, The key of not getting too serious, but not too whimsical, Is a showstopper of its own. 150 pages are built for wisdom, A length that is perfect, for a book with no defined structure. You can finish the book by jumping around, But you won’t rush through it because of all the valuable information. You won’t tire yourself as you flip through pages, I should know, I read the book in the law firm for 2 hours once. Its open enough to be drawn upon, but not compact enough for scribbles to happen. Every page is fresh. Fresh like a calm river stream. The new information flows through steadily, Not too fast, and not too slow. You know the water came from another source, But you don’t know which source specifically. Thus a sense of familiarity, and mystery are both established. The perfect balance to spark interest, and stop feelings of repulsiveness. All books demand to be read again, but this one requests it. Klinkenborg created a timeless storage for his temporary ideas, But consistent ideals. Its format is defiant, but memorable for sure. My only criticism, is that maybe a few chapter marks would have helped, Because when I go back in to dig for more, I won’t know where to start.