OT
max90,
<“C students from Yale.” It would stand your hair on end.>
Wonderful! I missed that back in 2003.
My first exposure to Mr. Vonnegut was back in the early 80's when International Paper provided school kids with 2 page essays by famous people good at something (formatted nicely btw on 11 x 17 International Paper paper, and linked below for those still lacking said style <g>). One of these essays was by Vonnegut. The essay had a lasting effect on me, but Vonnegut didn't, for it would be another five years before I read any of his published work.
My introduction to that first Vonnegut novel is a rather interesting story, and I could go on, forever, but, er, the don't ramble part stuck with me, sort of.
Mr. Vonnegut will be missed, and never replaced.
GT
TH
How to write with style
By Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut, author of such novels as“Slaughterhouse-Five,” “Jailbird” and “Cat’s Cradle” tells you how to put your style and personality into everything you write.
© 1982 International Paper Co. Reprinted with permission.
Newspaper reporters and technical writers are trained to reveal almost nothing about themselves in their writings. This makes them freaks in the world of writers, since almost all of the other ink-stained wretches in that world reveal a lot about themselves to readers. We call these revelations, accidental and intentional, elements of style.
These revelations tell us as readers what sort of person it is with whom we are spending time. Does the writer sound ignorant or informed, stupid or bright, crooked or honest, humorless or playful--? And on and on.
Why should you examine your writing style with the idea of improving it? Do so as a mark of respect for your readers, whatever you’re writing. If you scribble your thoughts any which way, your readers will surely feel that you care nothing about them. They will mark you down as an egomaniac or a chowderhead--or worse, they will stop reading you.
The most damning revelation you can make about yourself is that you do not know what is interesting and what is not. Don’t you yourself like or dislike writers mainly for what they choose to show you or make you think about? Did you ever admire an empty-headed writer for his or her mastery of the language? No.
So your own winning style must begin with ideas in your head.
Complete essay at this link.
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