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Writing Tools

Tags: #writing #communication #creativity #storytelling #language

Authors: Roy Peter Clark

Overview

My book, Writing Tools, is a toolbox for writers, offering 55 practical strategies to sharpen your craft and improve your writing. From the nuts and bolts of grammar and sentence structure to the special effects of wordplay and evocative language, the book provides a blueprint for creating clear, concise, and engaging prose. I explore the nuances of active and passive voice, the power of strong verbs, and the strategic use of adverbs and punctuation. We investigate the art of storytelling, exploring how to use scenes, dialogue, and character development to create compelling narratives. I guide you through the process of organizing your writing, using tools such as outlines, subheadings, and story engines. Finally, we delve into the habits of successful writers, from procrastination as a form of rehearsal to learning from criticism. Throughout the book, I draw on examples from a variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and journalism. Whether you are a student, a teacher, a journalist, or a poet, this book will provide you with a set of skills and techniques you can use to express yourself more effectively. Ultimately, this book is about empowering writers, helping them develop a stronger voice and tell better stories. It’s about helping America become, in the words of one of my chapters, “a nation of writers.”

Book Outline

1. A Nation of Writers

This book is a toolbox for writers, filled with practical tools that can be used to improve one’s writing. These tools can help writers overcome inhibitions, see the world as a storehouse of writing ideas, and gain proficiency and fluency. Ultimately, these tools can help you be a better student, worker, friend, citizen, parent, teacher, and person.

Key concept: Think of writing as carpentry, and consider this book your toolbox. You can borrow a writing tool at any time, and here’s another secret: Unlike hammers, chisels, and rakes, writing tools never have to be returned. They can be cleaned, sharpened, and passed along.

2. Order words for emphasis.

The period acts as a stop sign in a sentence, magnifying the last word. To create emphasis and guide readers, place strong words at the beginning and end of sentences and paragraphs. Use this tool to hide weaker material in the middle.

Key concept: “Place emphatic words in a sentence at the end.” By emphasizing the last word, writers can guide readers and create a sense of action.

3. Activate your verbs.

Use active verbs to create a sense of action, but don’t overuse them. Use passive verbs strategically to highlight the receiver of the action. The verb ‘to be’ links words and ideas but can be replaced by strong active verbs for a more dynamic effect.

Key concept: Active verbs move the action and reveal the actors. Passive verbs emphasize the receiver, the victim. The verb to be links word and ideas.

4. Be passive-aggressive.

While active verbs are generally preferred, the passive voice can be used strategically to highlight the receiver of the action. The choice between active and passive voice can also be a moral and political one.

Key concept: The best writers make the best choices between active and passive.

5. Watch those adverbs.

Avoid adverbs that simply intensify the meaning of a verb or adjective. Use them strategically to change the meaning of the verb or adjective.

Key concept: At their best, adverbs spice up a verb or adjective. At their worst, they express a meaning already contained in it.

6. Take it easy on the -ings.

Overuse of -ing words weakens verbs and makes the prose sound repetitive. Use -ing words strategically to indicate a sense of ongoing action.

Key concept: Add -ing to a verb, and it takes on a progressive sense – a happening.

7. Fear not the long sentence.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with long sentences. When well-crafted, they can create a sense of flow and effectively describe lengthy subjects.

Key concept: While length makes a bad sentence worse, it can make a good sentence better.

8. Establish a pattern, then give it a twist.

Use parallel structures to create rhythm, emphasis, and clarity in your writing. But don’t be afraid to break the pattern for a more dramatic effect.

Key concept: “Use parallels wherever you can,” wrote Sheridan Baker in The Practical Stylist, “equivalent thoughts demand parallel constructions.”

9. Let punctuation control pace and space.

Punctuation should be used to control the pace and space of your writing. It can create emphasis, clarity, and a sense of the writer’s voice.

Key concept: Punctuation comes from the Latin root punctus, or “point.” Those funny dots, lines, and squiggles help writers point the way.

10. Cut big, then small.

Cut unnecessary words, phrases, sentences, and even paragraphs to make your writing more concise and powerful. Focus on selecting the best material rather than simply compressing what you have.

Key concept: “Murder your darlings.”

11. Prefer the simple over the technical.

Use simple language to explain complex topics, making the strange familiar and accessible to readers.

Key concept: “Here’s how it works.”

12. Give key words their space.

Pay attention to word choice, using language that is both accurate and interesting. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your vocabulary.

Key concept: “The writer must be able to feel words intimately, one at a time… He must also be able to step back, inside his head, and see the flowing sentence. But he starts with the single word.”

13. Play with words, even in serious stories.

Use wordplay to create surprise and delight, even when dealing with serious topics. Interesting language can engage readers and help them see the world in new ways.

Key concept: Play and death may seem at odds, but the writer finds ways to connect them.

14. Get the name of the dog.

Use specific, concrete details that appeal to the senses to help readers see and understand your characters and settings.

Key concept: When details of character and setting appeal to the senses, they create an experience for the reader that leads to understanding.

15. Pay attention to names.

Pay attention to the names of people, places, and things. They can reveal character, suggest backstories, and create a sense of place.

Key concept: What’s in a name? For the attentive writer, and the eager reader, the answer can be fun, insight, charm, aura, character, identity, psychosis, fulfillment, inheritance, decorum, indiscretion, and possession.

16. Seek original images.

Avoid cliches and strive for original images to create a fresh and engaging voice.

Key concept: The language of the people we write about threatens the good writer at every turn.

17. Riff on the creative language of others.

Adapt creative language from other writers, using it as inspiration for your own work. But avoid plagiarism by transforming borrowed material into something new and original.

Key concept: Riffing on language will create wonderful effects you never intended.

18. Set the pace with sentence length.

Vary the length of your sentences to control the pace and rhythm of your writing. Use short sentences for emphasis and impact, long sentences for description and detail, and a mix of lengths for a natural and engaging flow.

Key concept: The writer controls the pace for the reader, slow or fast or in between, and uses sentences of different lengths to create the music, the rhythm of the story.

19. Vary the lengths of paragraphs.

Vary the length of your paragraphs to create a visually appealing and engaging reading experience. Short paragraphs can emphasize key points, while longer paragraphs can develop arguments and narratives.

Key concept: “The purpose of paragraphing is to give the reader a rest. The writer is saying to him: ‘Have you got that? If so, I’ll go on to the next point.’”

20. Choose the number of elements with a purpose in mind.

Be mindful of the number of examples or elements you use in a sentence or paragraph. Each number has a different effect on the reader.

Key concept: A self-conscious writer has no choice but to select a specific number of examples or elements in a sentence or paragraph. The writer chooses the number and, when it is greater than one, the order.

21. Know when to back off and when to show off.

Use understatement to create a sense of drama and seriousness, allowing the story to speak for itself. Use overstatement or hyperbole for humor and playfulness.

Key concept: The more serious or dramatic the subject, the more the writer backs off, creating the effect that the story tells itself. The more playful or inconsequential the topic, the more the writer can show off. Back off or show off.

22. Climb up and down the ladder of abstraction.

Move up and down the ladder of abstraction to create clarity and depth in your writing. Use concrete language to illustrate abstract concepts and vice versa.

Key concept: “Can you give me an example?” will drive the speaker down the ladder. But “What does that mean?” will carry him aloft.

23. Tune your voice.

Read your writing aloud to hear your voice and to identify problems that you might not see on the page.

Key concept: “Voice is the sum of all the strategies used by the author to create the illusion that the writer is speaking directly to the reader from the page.”

24. Work from a plan.

Use a plan to structure your writing and make it easier to organize. You can create a plan before you write or use a reverse outline to identify the big parts of a story after you’ve written a draft.

Key concept: Here’s a plan for an obituary of entertainer Ray Bolger, the beloved scarecrow of The Wizard of Oz.

25. Learn the difference between reports and stories.

Understand the difference between reports and stories. Reports transfer knowledge, while stories transport readers. Reports use the five Ws and H (who, what, where, when, why, and how), while stories transform those elements into character, action, setting, chronology, cause or motive, and process.

Key concept: Reports convey information. Stories create experience.

26. Use dialogue as a form of action.

Use dialogue to advance the narrative and reveal character. Quotes provide information and explanation, but dialogue places readers in the scene.

Key concept: Human speech, captured as dialogue on the page, attracts the eyes of the reader and, if done well, advances the story.

27. Reveal traits of character.

Show, don’t tell, when revealing character traits. Use scenes, details, and dialogue to illustrate character, rather than relying on vague adjectives.

Key concept: The reader who encounters character adjectives screams silently for examples, for evidence: “Don’t just tell me, Ms. Writer, that Super Surfer Girl is compassionate. Show me.”

28. Put odd and interesting things next to each other.

Place contrasting elements next to each other to create irony, humor, and insight. This technique can be used in all forms of writing, from poetry to journalism to satire.

Key concept: Ironic juxtaposition is the fancy term for what happens when two disparate things are placed side by side, each commenting on the other.

29. Foreshadow dramatic events and powerful conclusions.

Foreshadow dramatic events and powerful conclusions by planting important clues early in the story. This technique can create suspense and surprise, but should be used subtly to avoid giving away too much too soon.

Key concept: Clues planted early in the story offered what a dictionary definition describes as “vague advance indications” of important future events.

30. To generate suspense, use internal cliffhangers.

Use internal cliffhangers to keep readers engaged and wanting to know what happens next. Cliffhangers can be used at the end of chapters, sections, or even paragraphs.

Key concept: You don’t need a cliff to write a good cliffhanger.

31. Build your work around a key question.

Build your work around a key question that the story answers for the reader. This is the “engine” of the story and should be kept in mind throughout the writing process. Longer stories and stories with subplots can have multiple “mini-engines”.

Key concept: This narrative strategy is so powerful that it needs a name, and Tom French gave it to me: he calls it the “engine” of the story.

32. Place gold coins along the path.

Reward the reader with high points or “gold coins” throughout the story. These can be small scenes, anecdotes, startling facts, or telling quotes that keep readers engaged.

Key concept: Think of a gold coin as any bit that rewards the reader.

33. Repeat, repeat, and repeat.

Use repetition to create emphasis, rhythm, and connection in your writing. The repeated element might be a word, a phrase, or even a story element.

Key concept: “It’s the refrain,” he told Chip Scanlan.

34. Write from different cinematic angles.

Write from different cinematic angles to control the reader’s perspective. Vary the distance between the reader and the action to show details, create mood, and evoke emotions.

Key concept: Simple descriptions of standard camera angles should help you imagine how to use your “word cameras” for a variety of effects.

35. Report and write for scenes.

Report and write for scenes, creating vivid experiences for the reader. Then align those scenes in a meaningful sequence to build a complete narrative.

Key concept: The scene is the basic unit of narrative literature, the capsule of time and space created by the writer and entered by the reader or viewer.

36. Mix narrative modes.

Combine story forms using the “broken line.” This technique allows you to interrupt the narrative with exposition, analysis, or reflection, but then return to the narrative line.

Key concept: Imagine this form as a train ride with occasional whistle stops.

37. In short works, don’t waste a syllable.

When writing short pieces, make every word and every syllable count. Use wit, polish, and brevity to create a powerful impact on the reader.

Key concept: So polish your jewelry.

38. Prefer archetypes to stereotypes.

Use archetypes to tap into universal themes and story patterns. But avoid stereotypes that can limit your originality and creativity. A symbol need not be a cymbal.

Key concept: Use archetypes. Don’t let them use you.

39. Write toward an ending.

Write toward an ending that provides a sense of closure for the reader. Consider using techniques like closing the circle, the tieback, the time frame, the space frame, the payoff, or the apt quote. But avoid endings that go on and on.

Key concept: To write good endings you must read them, and few works of literature end with the poignant majesty of The Great Gatsby.

40. Draft a mission statement for your work.

Writing down your mission statement for a story or for your body of work will help you discover your purpose and guide your writing process. It can also help you explain your work to editors, readers, and critics.

Key concept: By writing about your writing, you learn what you need to learn.

41. Turn procrastination into rehearsal.

Transform procrastination into a form of rehearsal. Use downtime to plan and write in your head. Silence your internal critic and lower your standards until later in the writing process.

Key concept: “I am not procrastinating, Minion, I am rehearsing.”

42. Do your homework well in advance.

Do your homework well in advance to prepare yourself for the expected – and the unexpected. Develop your knowledge and skills through reading, research, and practice.

Key concept: “The readiness is all.”

43. Read for both form and content.

Read not just for content but also for form and genre. Study the work you admire to learn how those writers achieve their effects. Ask yourself: What am I trying to build? What tools do I need to build it?

Key concept: One thing we know for sure: writers read for both form and content.

44. Save string.

Save interesting ideas, quotes, facts, and anecdotes in a “string box” for future writing projects. This habit will help you develop a storehouse of material and inspire new ideas.

Key concept: Weeks and weeks pass, sometimes months and months, and one day I’ll look over at my box and hear it whisper, “It’s time.”

45. Break long projects into parts.

Break long projects into smaller parts to make them feel less overwhelming. Write a little each day to build momentum and create a sense of accomplishment.

Key concept: Tiny drops of writing become puddles that become rivulets that become streams that become deep ponds.

46. Take an interest in all crafts that support your work.

Take an interest in the crafts that support your writing, such as copyediting, photography, design, and web production. Working with others can enhance the quality of your work and help you reach a wider audience.

Key concept: With that early experience shaping my writer’s soul, I ask forgiveness for my visceral rejection of the tormented writer on the mountaintop.

47. Recruit your own support group.

Create a support group of people you trust to provide feedback and encouragement on your work. Seek out people who can help you in different ways.

Key concept: You may say to yourself, I’d be happy with any feedback at all. I am saying to you, don’t settle for what is given to you. Whatever it is, it is not enough.

48. Limit self-criticism in early drafts.

Limit self-criticism in early drafts. Save your critical energy for the revision stage, when you can better assess what works and what needs improvement.

Key concept: So begin with a gift to yourself, maybe that first cup of coffee.

49. Learn from your critics.

Learn from your critics, even when their criticism is negative or unreasonable. Convert debate into conversation by focusing on what you were trying to achieve and seeking understanding rather than defending your work.

Key concept: “De gustibus non est disputandum.” There can be no arguing about matters of taste.

50. Own the tools of your craft.

Use the writing process as a guide for your work. Organize your “toolbox” to store your writing tools and strategies. View these steps not as tools, but as tool shelves or toolboxes.

Key concept: Sniff. Explore. Collect. Focus. Select. Order. Draft. Revise.

51. Take advantage of narrative numbers.

Numbers can play a powerful role in storytelling. Beyond their basic function in arithmetic and statistics, numbers can symbolize cultural ideas, define the structure of narratives, represent characters, and create a sense of suspense.

Key concept: Story numbers help define the structure of narratives in works ranging from The Decameron (ten young people each narrating ten stories) to “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” to Seven Samurai.

52. Express your best thought in the shortest sentence.

Short sentences can be incredibly effective, particularly when used to express a key idea or to create emphasis.

Key concept: Express your most powerful thought in the shortest sentence.

53. Match your diction to your writing purpose.

A writer’s diction, or word choice, should be carefully considered to fit the tone, theme, content, and audience.

Key concept: “Choice” is the key word.

54. Create a mosaic of detail to reveal character.

The author believes that Tom Wolfe’s “status details” are crucial for creating compelling characters in narrative writing. To bring a person to literary life, one must move beyond a basic inventory of characteristics and gather a collection of specific details that reveal not only their economic and social standing, but their personality, habits, values, and spirit.

Key concept: “Status” being an interesting word in the era of Facebook.

55. Look for the ‘inciting incident’ to kick-start your story.

An inciting incident is a key element in any effective story. It is the event, sometimes a “bolt from the blue”, that sets the story into action, radically upsets the balance of forces in the protagonist’s life, and sets the stage for the conflict or challenge the story will explore.

Key concept: “The inciting incident,” writes McKee in his book Story, “radically upsets the balance of forces in the protagonist’s life.”

Essential Questions

1. What are the foundational writing tools for clear and effective prose?

To achieve writing fluency, Clark suggests writers should learn and practice a set of fundamental strategies and techniques. He emphasizes starting sentences with subjects and verbs, ordering words for impact, using active verbs, and being mindful of adverb usage. Mastering punctuation, understanding the difference between reports and stories, and incorporating specific details and original images are also emphasized. These tools help writers to construct clear, engaging narratives that effectively convey their intended meaning. By understanding and utilizing these basic techniques, writers can lay a strong foundation for their work.

2. How can writers tap into the world as a source of story ideas and compelling material?

Clark advocates for seeing the world as a story waiting to be told. He encourages writers to actively seek out and collect compelling details, anecdotes, and examples that reveal character, create a sense of place, and illuminate complex topics. He emphasizes the importance of capturing authentic dialogue and utilizing narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and gold coins to enhance the reader’s experience. The world, as Clark presents it, is not just a backdrop but a rich source of inspiration, a “storehouse of writing ideas.”

3. What strategies can writers use to organize their writing and captivate their readers?

Effective writers employ various organizational strategies to structure their work and enhance readability. They work from plans or reverse outlines to establish a clear structure. Understanding the distinction between reports, which convey information, and stories, which create an immersive experience, is crucial. Incorporating elements such as gold coins (rewarding details), internal cliffhangers, and story engines (key questions) enhances reader engagement and guides them through the narrative.

4. How can writers cultivate good habits and create a supportive environment to enhance their writing?

The book champions the idea that everyone possesses the potential to be a better writer. Clark encourages embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Cultivating a support system of trusted individuals who provide feedback and encouragement can make the writing process more productive and rewarding. Turning procrastination into a form of mental rehearsal and learning from both positive and negative criticism are also key to improving one’s craft. By adopting these habits, writers can develop their skills, gain confidence, and ultimately reach their full potential.

5. What is ‘X-Ray Reading’ and how can it help writers learn from master storytellers?

To discover the underlying structure and techniques used by masterful writers, Clark advocates for “X-Ray Reading.” It involves analyzing the grammatical machinery, narrative structures, use of figurative language, and other stylistic choices employed by writers. By understanding the tools and strategies used in the works you admire, you can gain valuable insights to inform and improve your writing. This approach can help writers of all levels deconstruct and learn from the work of masters.

Key Takeaways

1. Prioritize Conciseness and Clarity

Clark stresses the importance of conciseness, especially for clarity and impact. He advocates for strong, active verbs and avoiding clutter like unnecessary adverbs. This allows the core message to shine, mirroring how clear code avoids unnecessary lines for better efficiency.

Practical Application:

In product design, concise language is key for user interfaces. By prioritizing the use of strong verbs and avoiding unnecessary adverbs, designers can create clear and intuitive instructions for users. For instance, instead of “Please click here to proceed,” use a more concise “Continue.” This creates a more user-friendly experience.

2. Embrace the ‘String Box’ Method

For larger projects, Clark recommends “saving string.” This means gathering seemingly disparate bits of information, anecdotes, or insights that intrigue you. Over time, this collection can reveal patterns, deepen your understanding, and provide rich material for a book, project, or even an AI system.

Practical Application:

When planning a new product or feature, brainstorm using a “string box” approach. Collect any interesting articles, research papers, user feedback, or competitor analysis related to the idea. Regularly review and organize the material. This organized collection can fuel ideation, provide deeper understanding, and ultimately lead to a more informed and innovative product.

3. Harness the Power of Narrative

Throughout the book, Clark emphasizes the power of narrative. He argues that even complex information can be made more compelling and memorable when framed within a story. This is particularly relevant for AI, where explaining complex processes in an engaging way is crucial.

Practical Application:

For AI product development, consider how narratives can be used to communicate the functionality and value proposition. Craft a story around a user’s problem and how the AI solution provides a resolution. This can make the technology more relatable and engaging for potential users and investors.

4. Reframe Procrastination as Rehearsal

Clark proposes a novel approach to procrastination: reframe it as “rehearsal.” He suggests using downtime to mentally plan and even “write” the work before physically doing it. This can be applied to coding, problem-solving, or any task requiring planning.

Practical Application:

Instead of viewing unproductive periods as lost time, reframe them as opportunities for mental rehearsal. Use these moments to brainstorm solutions to a coding challenge, outline a presentation, or mentally draft an important email. This shift in mindset can transform procrastination into a valuable tool for idea generation and preparation.

5. Recognize the Significance of Patterns and Structures

By dissecting works like The Great Gatsby, Clark shows how authors use recurring themes, motifs, and even punctuation to create deeper meaning. For AI development, this translates to understanding how patterns and structures can be used in algorithms, user interfaces, and data analysis.

Practical Application:

By understanding common narrative patterns, you can better anticipate user needs and design more engaging experiences. If a user is embarking on a digital “journey” to complete a task, consider incorporating elements like clear signposts, milestones, and rewards to maintain their engagement.

Suggested Deep Dive

Chapter: Report and write for scenes.

This chapter provides a deep dive into scene construction, which is essential for narrative writing. It’s relevant to AI engineers as it showcases how breaking down complex information into smaller, vivid units can be powerful for understanding and explanation.

Memorable Quotes

A Nation of Writers. 8

“If you feel left behind, this book invites you to imagine the act of writing less as a special talent and more as a purposeful craft.”

Order words for emphasis.. 20

“Put your best stuff near the beginning and at the end; hide weaker stuff in the middle.”

Cut big, then small.. 60

“Murder your darlings.”

Place gold coins along the path.. 172

“Think of a gold coin as any bit that rewards the reader.”

Turn procrastination into rehearsal.. 222

“I am not procrastinating, Minion, I am rehearsing.”

Comparative Analysis

While Writing Tools shares common ground with other notable writing guides like Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style and Zinsser’s On Writing Well in emphasizing clarity and conciseness, it distinguishes itself through its toolbox approach. Unlike the prescriptive rules of The Elements of Style, Clark offers practical strategies with real-world examples, showcasing how master writers employ them. Writing Tools also delves deeper into narrative structure and storytelling techniques than On Writing Well, offering detailed blueprints for crafting compelling stories and reports. It’s more comprehensive in scope, addressing not only the mechanics of writing but also the creative process and the importance of cultivating good writing habits. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, while sharing Clark’s emphasis on practical advice, focuses more on the personal and emotional aspects of writing, offering encouragement and solace to writers struggling with self-doubt.

Reflection

While Writing Tools offers valuable guidance for writers of all levels, its emphasis on narrative structure may not be universally applicable. Some forms of writing, particularly technical or scientific writing, prioritize clarity and precision over storytelling. Additionally, the emphasis on the “echo effect” and symbolic elements might lead to overinterpretation, especially for novice writers. The book’s strength lies in its accessible and engaging approach, demystifying the writing process and offering practical tools that can be readily applied. However, it’s essential to recognize that writing is a multifaceted craft, and the strategies presented should be adapted to suit the specific purpose, context, and audience of each piece. Overall, Writing Tools is a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their writing skills, offering a comprehensive toolbox and a clear roadmap for crafting clear, concise, and compelling prose.

Flashcards

What is the key principle of emphatic word order?

Place strong words at the beginning and at the end of sentences.

What’s the difference between active and passive voice?

Active verbs highlight the actor, while passive verbs emphasize the receiver of the action.

When should you use -ing words?

To indicate ongoing action or a happening, but avoid overusing them as they can weaken verbs.

When are long sentences appropriate?

To create flow and describe lengthy subjects effectively.

Why vary paragraph length?

To create a visually appealing and engaging reading experience; short paragraphs can emphasize points, longer ones develop arguments and narratives.

What’s the best way to reveal character traits?

Show, don’t tell. Use actions, details, and dialogue, instead of vague adjectives.

What is the ‘engine’ of a story?

The question that the story answers for the reader.

What is a ‘gold coin’ in storytelling?

Any element that rewards the reader, such as a scene, anecdote, or fact.

What is the purpose of an ending in writing?

To create a compelling narrative that answers a key question and leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

How can you turn procrastination into a useful tool?

Plan and write the story in your head during downtime, using it as rehearsal time.