Writing

Francis Ford Coppola writes in his books. More than that, he thinks this practice is essential:

I think it’s important to put your impressions down on the first reading because those are the initial instincts about what you thought was good or what you didn’t understand or what you thought was bad….

Our desire to maintain harmony can cause us to be indirect about uncomfortable truths. Our desire to influence can cause us to pre-emptively address every arcane objection. Our desire to impress can cause us to use more language than necessary. And the expectations we have internalized about corporate communication often cause us to write in a way

So here they are, my personal rules for blogging.

1. Three posts a week, more or less.


2. One idea per post. If I find myself launching into another section, cut and paste the extra into a separate draft post, and tie off the original one with the word “Anyway.” Then publish.


3. No hedging, no nuance. If I’m getting in a twist about a sentence, take it out.


4. Gi

1. Three posts a week, more or less.


2. One idea per post. If I find myself launching into another section, cut and paste the extra into a separate draft post, and tie off the original one with the word “Anyway.” Then publish.


3. No hedging, no nuance. If I’m getting in a twist about a sentence, take it out.


4. Gi