top of page
Search

An Homage to William Zinsser on Writing Well

Writer's picture: Heather WilliamsHeather Williams

I admit I am unabashedly, unequivically, a word nerd. I read the dictionary as a kid for fun. I would pick out a word, learn its meaning, and add it to my vocabulary. Suddenly people weren't "friendly", they were "amiable". Things weren't "confusing". They were"perplexing".


Words are the tools of writers. If we're not careful, our love of language will overshadow the message we want to convey to readers. Remember, the idea is to communicate effectually, not to show-off an above-average vocabulary.


The late William Zinsser said it best: "Words are expensive. Good writing is cheap!"

Whenever I catch myself drowning in the verbose, I remember this quote from his great book, On Writing Well.


I have three copies of the classic. One copy is riddled with highlights and notes in the margins. The second copy is filled with, still, more highlights. The third copy is a pristine copy of the 30th edition. A must-have book in any serious writer's arsenal, I learned more from William Zinsser about the craft of writing than from any other resource on the subject.


9 years since his passing, this blog is an homage to William Zinsser and On Writing Well.

It is for teachers, unsung and underpaid, who nurtured my love of language. It is for their lessons well taught and well learned.


I remember one of my elementary school teachers had a small plaque on her desk that read: If you can read this, thank a teacher. So, here and now, I do.


"Thank you."




Zinsser, W. (2006). On Writing Well (30th ed.). HarperCollins.

3 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page