I finished reading On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Well by William Zinsser yesterday. It won’t be the last time I read it.

Originally written in 1976, Zinsser has updated his text six times as the technology changed, most recently in 2001. The book is divided into four parts: Principles, where he gives actionable chapters on simplicity, clutter, and other basics; Methods, dealing with unity as well as the beginning and end of a work; Forms, including writing about people, places, and oneself as well as business writing and humor; and Attitudes, such as the fear of writing and the handicap of worrying about a final product before the work is finished.

The author regards writing as a “craft”. Writing is a process where literary taste may change, but the tools are consistent. Some of the tools, such as reading out loud, reducing clutter, avoiding clichés, and stopping paragraphs appropriately, seem to be tools that I can use quickly as the journal entries increase. Other items, such as to keep writing wherever a topic takes the writer even though it may not match the original intent of the work, require more time devoted to a single opus. There are excerpts from works by the author and others to emphasize points. While I read it on the plane, the book reminded me of George Carlin’s airline announcements. Throughout the book Zinsser reminds the reader to make every word count; to make every word pull its weight would break his rule of simplicity.

Even if you don’t write at all, I recommend this book as a reference. I may make a checklist of the main points and check them as I write each serious post. Even if writing conjures memories of hopelessly subjective critics with red pens (thankfully my teachers weren’t like that), this book can provide tips that will keep the reader focused on your message.