I can see why this went viral Jeannine! A few notes I took as I read this.
1. I'm reminded to keep journaling as I read your thoughts on attention.
2. Thoughts on internal/external observations reminds me to tell the best story and sometimes let the reader figure out what things mean to them.
3. I love the term "aboutness" did you create that concept or read of it elsewhere? It's a simple concept but it's precision strikes me - know what your piece is about, otherwise the reader won't either.
4. Enjoyed this line "What I crave from a piece of writing is to feel that the writer is strongly at the helm" Makes me think of some writers I've really enjoyed on Substack.
Thanks so much, Istiaq! I appreciate this. Re aboutness, I don't think I created the term, but I did have created some tools/methods for thinking about aboutness.
Wow, Jeannine, what a refreshing and very welcome take on writing advice. I think we've all been beaten over the head with the traditional (and still very relevant) Strunk and White stuff over the years, but I really appreciate you diving into some of the more subtle guidance in terms of content, perspective, and narrative.
I've definitely been guilty of a few of these missteps, especially when it comes to getting lost in my own internal at the expense of the far more relatable external. I'm embarrassed to admit that a lot of these points are things that I wouldn't have even been conscious of unless you pointed them out.
Definitely saving your piece for future reference. Thank you so much!
Elizabeth Bishop in her Paris Review interview says she finds her students’ poems are often better when the last stanza is removed - which only restates what they’ve already said earlier. I find that leaving off the first sentence or paragraph in my own work makes for a more engaging beginning. / In the days when Hemingway and Camus were great influences on young writers, much of your good advice would not have been as necessary, though Hemingway’s tone of voice and mannerisms would often end up as stubborn artifacts. / Purging work of redundancies is also an ongoing task for me. Perhaps it’s a result of our practice of mixing Anglo-Saxon and Latin-derived words. I can only think of “new innovation” right now but I’ve noticed that when redundant words are removed, language seems to get richer rather than sparer (or maybe both). / Also I think it might be permissible to use a fancier or more complex word if you use it the second time around, as a variation on the first. Cavafy used to mix common and high Greek to great effect. / Thanks for your tutorial, much there for me to keep in mind, as always.
Brilliant article so full of treasures and quotes ..loved this one ..."What I crave from a piece of writing is to feel that the writer is strongly at the helm, charting a clear and determined direction, and doing it fully on purpose". Thank you
Thank you so much Janine, Rather than give into the temptation to be effusive, I will just say that I am impressed by you more than I can easily express.
Today is Ground Zero of sorts for me. As I read through this, I thought about a book I wrote 10 years ago, the only one I've written, and how I did on each of these points. The result was predictable - ok on some and not so much on others. This is the first time I'm (seriously) writing again since that book. And now, with each of these points, I feel clearer. I'm ready.
I'm a new reader here too, thank you Jeannine for sharing this! Wow, I wanted to quote so many of your lines and stick them up all over the wall! I loved: "Remember, a reader can rarely be fully clear on anything not already fully clarified within the writer." That resonates deeply.
And the aboutness. I know it will benefit me to read this piece over and over to let it settle more deeply into my mind and my fingers.
I can see why this went viral Jeannine! A few notes I took as I read this.
1. I'm reminded to keep journaling as I read your thoughts on attention.
2. Thoughts on internal/external observations reminds me to tell the best story and sometimes let the reader figure out what things mean to them.
3. I love the term "aboutness" did you create that concept or read of it elsewhere? It's a simple concept but it's precision strikes me - know what your piece is about, otherwise the reader won't either.
4. Enjoyed this line "What I crave from a piece of writing is to feel that the writer is strongly at the helm" Makes me think of some writers I've really enjoyed on Substack.
Thanks so much, Istiaq! I appreciate this. Re aboutness, I don't think I created the term, but I did have created some tools/methods for thinking about aboutness.
Wow, Jeannine, what a refreshing and very welcome take on writing advice. I think we've all been beaten over the head with the traditional (and still very relevant) Strunk and White stuff over the years, but I really appreciate you diving into some of the more subtle guidance in terms of content, perspective, and narrative.
I've definitely been guilty of a few of these missteps, especially when it comes to getting lost in my own internal at the expense of the far more relatable external. I'm embarrassed to admit that a lot of these points are things that I wouldn't have even been conscious of unless you pointed them out.
Definitely saving your piece for future reference. Thank you so much!
Thank you! 🩶
Just finally read this one — brilliant. Thank you.
Thank you so so much!
Thanks for this. I'm just a reader but learning about the writing process fascinatws me and I believe enhances my reading experience.
Elizabeth Bishop in her Paris Review interview says she finds her students’ poems are often better when the last stanza is removed - which only restates what they’ve already said earlier. I find that leaving off the first sentence or paragraph in my own work makes for a more engaging beginning. / In the days when Hemingway and Camus were great influences on young writers, much of your good advice would not have been as necessary, though Hemingway’s tone of voice and mannerisms would often end up as stubborn artifacts. / Purging work of redundancies is also an ongoing task for me. Perhaps it’s a result of our practice of mixing Anglo-Saxon and Latin-derived words. I can only think of “new innovation” right now but I’ve noticed that when redundant words are removed, language seems to get richer rather than sparer (or maybe both). / Also I think it might be permissible to use a fancier or more complex word if you use it the second time around, as a variation on the first. Cavafy used to mix common and high Greek to great effect. / Thanks for your tutorial, much there for me to keep in mind, as always.
Brilliant article so full of treasures and quotes ..loved this one ..."What I crave from a piece of writing is to feel that the writer is strongly at the helm, charting a clear and determined direction, and doing it fully on purpose". Thank you
This is so incredibly helpful, Jeannine. Thank you!
Thank you, Laura!!
Thank you so much Janine, Rather than give into the temptation to be effusive, I will just say that I am impressed by you more than I can easily express.
Thank you so much, Bob!
Today is Ground Zero of sorts for me. As I read through this, I thought about a book I wrote 10 years ago, the only one I've written, and how I did on each of these points. The result was predictable - ok on some and not so much on others. This is the first time I'm (seriously) writing again since that book. And now, with each of these points, I feel clearer. I'm ready.
Wow, Diana, that's really wonderful! And now you are in the Story Challenge, too! Yay!
This is one of the most helpful posts on craft I’ve ever read. So much to think about. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Alicia!
Just reading this now, but better late than never. It's all true, helpful, compassionate and well-expressed, as always. Thank you.
Oh, wow, thank you, Sheela!! Miss you. I want to be able to eat gluten and make ravioli with you!!
This is golden. A masterclass. What a gift! ❤️🙏
Thank you so much, Paolo!
I'm a new reader here too, thank you Jeannine for sharing this! Wow, I wanted to quote so many of your lines and stick them up all over the wall! I loved: "Remember, a reader can rarely be fully clear on anything not already fully clarified within the writer." That resonates deeply.
And the aboutness. I know it will benefit me to read this piece over and over to let it settle more deeply into my mind and my fingers.
Thank you so much, Kali!
Thank you for such an incredible and generous piece!
Thank you for reading! It continues to buoy me to keep hearing people say this piece speaks to them. It means a lot ❤️
I like this term “aboutness”
I’m definitely going to hold on to that one. I generally refer to is “what the hell am I talking about” but aboutness says it much better.
Ha, well, "what the hell am I talking about" works quite well, too!