Blog Post 1.2: A Shred of Good Advice

“You must fight these phrases or you’ll sound like every hack.  You’ll never make your mark as a writer unless you develop a respect for words and a curiosity about their shades of meaning that is almost obsessive.  The English language is rich in strong and supple words.  Take the time to root around and find the ones you want.” (Zinsser, 32)

This is the advice with which Zinsser opens the sixth chapter of his book.  He starts the paragraph talking about journalese, or the idea that writer’s eventually conform to a mundane and monotonous style common to popular magazines, newspapers and other forms of media by giving in to cliches and commonplace words.  Throughout the chapter, he focuses on the importance of word choice and paying attention to the rhythm of writing.  As I reflected on the best pieces that I have written, I realized that I enjoy my poetry the most.  I spend hours writing and revising each line, making sure that the words flow together and convey my emotion in its raw form.  However, it had never occurred to me to put that same editing skill into my other writing.  By exerting the same amount of effort into the choices that I make in my creative non-fiction,  I could potentially give my prose as much prominence and substance as my poetry.