Writing Tips from Mark Twain
Came across this today: 4 Writing Tips from Mark Twain
My favorite:
"The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say."
I've noticed this so many times. You start out writing with one end result in mind, and then by the end, the actual process/journey of writing has brought out much more than you actually intended to say. Maybe you've gone down a completely different train of thought -- a better one.
It reemphasizes the importance of not editing yourself (Shut up, Bartholomew!) during your first draft -- get it all out first, then make sense of it.
This is only slightly related, but when I was writing my undergrad thesis, I researched the connection between bipolar disorder and creativity. The cycle of manic states and depression (for mild episodes, at least) fits well with the creative process (especially poetry), where your first draft is mostly emotion and ideas and an explosion of thought. You're working and thinking fast, without censors or borders. Then you have to slow down and pay attention to details during revisions. A depressed state lends itself more towards this measured and logical process.
Of course, bipolar disorder is serious and not a creative person's playground, but it's an interesting concept, especially when you learn about all the writers, artists, poets, etc. who had manic-depressive episodes. If you're interested, this is a great book on the subject.
But anyway, Mark Twain. Good guy.
My favorite:
"The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say."
I've noticed this so many times. You start out writing with one end result in mind, and then by the end, the actual process/journey of writing has brought out much more than you actually intended to say. Maybe you've gone down a completely different train of thought -- a better one.
It reemphasizes the importance of not editing yourself (Shut up, Bartholomew!) during your first draft -- get it all out first, then make sense of it.
This is only slightly related, but when I was writing my undergrad thesis, I researched the connection between bipolar disorder and creativity. The cycle of manic states and depression (for mild episodes, at least) fits well with the creative process (especially poetry), where your first draft is mostly emotion and ideas and an explosion of thought. You're working and thinking fast, without censors or borders. Then you have to slow down and pay attention to details during revisions. A depressed state lends itself more towards this measured and logical process.
Of course, bipolar disorder is serious and not a creative person's playground, but it's an interesting concept, especially when you learn about all the writers, artists, poets, etc. who had manic-depressive episodes. If you're interested, this is a great book on the subject.
But anyway, Mark Twain. Good guy.