"Writing Well": The book that belongs on every writer’s shelf

Are you looking to improve your writing skills? And are you overwhelmed by all the guides out there? It doesn’t matter if you’re writing poems or business reports; Writing Well will tell you exactly what rules there are when it comes to effective writing - and which ones to break.

Writing Well: The Essential Guide. Cambridge University Press, 2008

“I wonder if this book could help me write better,” said my boyfriend, picking up a matted paperback from a pile on the ground. 

It was King’s Day in the Netherlands, the streets packed with people selling their old things at the flea market. I bent down, studying the bright yellow cover with the words Writing Well: An Essential Guide above a pixelated graphic. “For one euro, it’s yours,” the stand owner chimed in.

My boyfriend is a software engineer. His day job involves writing, albeit a different kind - he likes to explore creative writing in his free time. From the two of us, I’m what you might call a writer by profession. After quickly flipping through the book, however, it was me who decided to buy it - and I’m glad I did. 

So, what was so amazing about this book and why did I end up recommending it passionately to everyone I know?

Why you've never heard of Writing Well

Mark Tredinnick is a successful poet, teacher, and essayist - in Australia. The book Writing Well: The Essential Guide first came out as The Little Red Writing Book (University of New South Wales Press, 2006). Since then, his more recent publications have gained traction, as well as his workshops and courses which are still being offered on his website if you're interested.

I know what you're thinking. If I want to read a book on style, I'd surely better choose something recent rather than an obscure 2008 publication, right? The truth is, the topics this book covers are timeless - even if it was published some time ago. The fundamental elements of "writing well" - the principles of clarity, rhythm, and style - remain consistent across decades, if not centuries. And rarely have they been covered more in depth than in this inconspicuous book.

Tredinnick's philosophy

What concerns the author of Writing Well is the future - and politics - of written English. From the beginning, he protests against the dominance of loose, convoluted sentences in everyday writing from scientific reports to journalism. In other words, writers have become lazy. The quality of sentences has gone downhill, with clarity often being sacrificed for erudite vocabulary that only confuses the reader. Instead, Tredinnick champions writing that works - clear, effective, stylish prose.

So what is "good writing"? Essentially "talking tidied up". No more passive constructions, noun clusters, or bureaucratic fluff unless absolutely necessary. Whenever you're writing something, Tredinnick maintains, imagine you're saying it to someone. It doesn't matter if it's a letter, a novel, or a research paper. Write mostly in the vernacular - English thrives the most on "old, short words" - and you will make your prose sing.

“Good writing is the best kind of conversation you never heard. It’s talking tidied up. It’s speaking compressed, clarified, enriched and heightened by thought and art, and set down on paper.”

From lore to grace, with attitude

"But writing guides are full of rules, and rules are boring," I hear you say. Not quite - Tredinnick's book is structured unlike any other writing guide I've encountered. The six chapters: Lore, Sentencing, Grace, Poetics, Attitude, and Shapely Thoughts each focus on distinct but closely related areas of the craft: an innovative, delightful architecture.

Some rules are present (Sentencing will take you through all the sentence types out there), but this book is anything but a dry grammar guide. Tredinnick's lyrical style carries over into his technical writing, too, making the reading experience exceptionally pleasant. A lot of academics could learn from Tredinnick: rarely have I read a book so personable yet so structured, written with such exceptional care and originality. And it doesn't end with his style: his own arguments are supported by dozens of examples of great prose from accomplished writers.

What will you learn?

Any guide is pointless without actionable insights. Writing Well is full of creative exercises - well, not really exercises in a textbook sense, but suggestions - that constrict you in one way or the other and bring play and experimentation back into your writing routine. You will learn what kind of writing to avoid, what narrators there are and what pacing to use - and to what effect. And for the more experienced writers: you'll also be invited to reflect on your work, the kind of readers you would like to have, as well as delve into the reasons usually stopping you from writing: a pretty good deal, no?

My biggest takeaways from this book? Using short, old words instead of needlessly embellishing my prose. Learning to say more with less words. Avoiding clichés like the plague. And also, starting sentences with "and" and "because". Because I can.

Writing Well is a workbook that you can revisit over and over - ideal to incorporate in your life if you don't have time for a university course. I'd encourage everyone to read this book, not merely creative writers, as essential skills like structured thinking, conciseness, and argumentation transcend prose and benefit other areas of your life. Learn to write tighter and better. Be on the hunt for the most apt metaphor - don't be easily satisfied with something you've already heard a hundred times. Because we can all use a bit more clarity in our writing.

Get Writing Well here (in the Netherlands).

Need a little help writing well? I'd be happy to take care of your words, whether you need proofreading, editing, or a fresh piece written from scratch.

Just drop me a line at emma@eutext.nl or fill out the contact form to get started!