the art of writing

I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I write.

relatable, on writing like you talk, by Jason Fried:

Over the last 20+ years I’ve been part of too many discussions where someone goes “I’m having a hard time explaining this or that…” Then they say “I just really want to say this…” And then they say it and it’s clear, concise, and obvious! They nailed it, but…

…it’s as if they aren’t even listening

What I really think good writing does: It enlivens that part of us that actually believes we are in this world, right now, and that being here somehow matters.

-George Saunders

“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”

—Terry Pratchett

”In my experience, here’s how essays form: You get all these bits of data that stick in your head… file drawers in your head. At a certain point you realize one of the drawers is now full, and you might have an essay.” Tim Kreider on the artist at midlife.

Harry Dry rules for copywriting:

1) A great sentence is a good sentence made shorter.

2) Writing great copy begins with having something to say in the first place.

3) Copy is like food. How it looks matters.

4) Since the look of copy matters so much, don't write copy in Google Docs. Write it in Figma (so you can write and design at the same time).

5) Ka

If only I had more time to write less.

– Alex