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Seven Pillars Of Wisdom

All men dream: but not equally.  Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity.  But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.

T.H. Lawrence

How To Write

"Well I think that you've got to be prepared to write a load of nonsense to start with and then you can tart it up. The business of getting going, getting started, is enormously important, and this can be physical. Solvitur Ambulando as the Romans used to say, which means 'the solution comes through walking.'"

Colin Dexter.  From The Writer's Almanac, September 29, 2004

V. S. Naipaul on how to write.

Rules for aspiring writers:

1. Do not write long sentences.  A sentence should not have more than 10 or 12 words.
2. Each sentence should make a clear statement.  It should add to the statement that went before.  A good paragraph is a series of clear, linked statements.
3. Do not use big words.  If your computer tells you that your average word is more than five letters long, there is something wrong.  The use of small words compels you to think about what you are writing.  Even difficult ideas can be broken down into small words.
4. Never use words whose meaning you are not sure of.  If you break this rule you should look for other work.
5. The beginner should avoid using adjectives, except those of colour, size and number.  Use as few adverbs as possible.
6. Avoid the abstract.  Always go for the concrete.
7. Every day, for six months at least, practice writing in this way.  Small words; short, clear concrete statements.  It may be awkward but it's training you in the use of language.  It may even be getting rid of the bad language habits you picked up at the university.  You may go beyond these rules after you have thoroughly understood and mastered them.