Music Bibliography

Quotes about Writing

Writing is one of our recurrent themes. Writing is a skill that is important to scholars, researchers, and performers alike. Among our questions are what makes good writing, what are effective and useful writing techniques, and what are the characteristics of good music writing?

In a book published this August (hot off the presses!), Several Short Sentences About Writing, New York Times writer Verlyn Klinkenborg shares some insights. Below are a few excerpts. As always, please read with a critical eye and don’t be afraid to disagree with opinions presented in text.

• “Forget what you’ve been told about writing. Most of it was hearsay, rumor and the well-intentioned plans of people who can’t write. . . . Almost everything you’ve heard about how writers work is a myth.”
• “Don’t let what you want to say prevent you from discovering things you didn’t know you could say. Discovery always trumps intention. There’s more in your thoughts than you think.”
• “Anyone who’s impressed by long sentences, jargon and complex, formulaic phrases knows nothing about writing but a lot about how to hide things—especially responsibility—with words.”
• “If writing feels like hard work, relax. It is.”

As you read excerpts from Zinsser’s classic, On Writing Well, think about similarities and contrasts between Zinsser and Klinkenborg.

Does what they say make sense in your experience? Can you put any of their suggestions into action? How useful is their advice for your own writing methods?

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