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Several Short Sentences About Writing Paperback – April 9, 2013
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An indispensable and distinctive book that will help anyone who wants to write, write better, or have a clearer understanding of what it means for them to be writing, from widely admired writer and teacher Verlyn Klinkenborg.
Klinkenborg believes that most of our received wisdom about how writing works is not only wrong but an obstacle to our ability to write. In Several Short Sentences About Writing, he sets out to help us unlearn that “wisdom”—about genius, about creativity, about writer’s block, topic sentences, and outline—and understand that writing is just as much about thinking, noticing, and learning what it means to be involved in the act of writing. There is no gospel, no orthodoxy, no dogma in this book. Instead it is a gathering of starting points in a journey toward lively, lucid, satisfying self-expression.
- Print length224 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVintage
- Publication dateApril 9, 2013
- Dimensions5.17 x 0.67 x 7.96 inches
- ISBN-100307279413
- ISBN-13978-0307279415
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for Verlyn Klinkenborg's Several Short Sentences About Writing:
“No other book, old or new, is as well reasoned as this, as entertaining or as wise. . . . Best book on writing. Ever. . . . To paraphrase Voltaire’s statement concerning the Almighty, ‘if Verlyn Klinkenborg did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.’ Because having read Several Short Sentences About Writing, I do not think that it would be possible to not have this book on hand. . . . Indeed, no other book is as filled with as much grounded, practical advice for putting words to the paper or electronic page or gives better, more helpful exercises.”
—New York Journal of Books
“Powerful . . . each sentence miraculously contains an idea or insight that lesser writers would have milked for several pages.”
—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“An exceptionally interesting and useful book about writing.”
—Tom McGuane
“A fresh perspective on writing that goes against conventional classroom theory.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Klinkenborg does away with much of the traditional wisdom on writing and dissects the sentence—its structure, its intention, its semantic craftsmanship—to deliver a new, useful, and direct guide to the art of storytelling.”
—Brain Pickings
“Expertise and zeal are required for an established writer to offer genuinely useful guidance to aspiring writers. It also helps if the writer teaches writing, as Klinkenborg has for many years. . . . The result is a unique anatomy of the sentence and the writing mind and a clarifying and invigorating ‘book of first steps.’”
—Booklist
"This is a very interesting little book about writing. Modest. Learned. Good-natured. Direct and sympathetic to its readers. You don't even have to read it front to back (probably you couldn't, anyway). You can just open it anywhere—as I did—and take away something useful."
—Richard Ford
“There have been good books on grammar and style, some classics, but none to compare to this one for understanding where sentences come from in the first place, where their vitality is found, and what distinguishes their energy, their authenticity, and their prospects for life after birth—that is, the art of revision. This book's long future will be a testament to its author's principles.”
—Tom McGuane
About the Author
Verlyn Klinkenborg is a member of the editorial board of The New York Times, to which he also contributes meditations about his farm in upstate New York, collected in The Rural Life. His other books include Making Hay, The Last Fine Time, and Timothy; or, Notes of an Abject Reptile. Klinkenborg has a Ph.D. in English literature from Princeton University.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
*
Your job as a writer is making sentences.
Most of your time will be spent making sentences in your head.
In your head.
Did no one ever tell you this?
That is the writer's life.
Never imagine you've left the level of the sentence behind.
Most of the sentences you make will need to be killed.
The rest will need to be fixed.
This will be true for a long time.
The hard part now is deciding which to kill and which
to fix and how to fix them.
This will get much, much easier, but the decision making will never end.
*
As you practice noticing, notice how thickly particled
with names the world around you is.
This will gradually become part of your noticing,
looking not for words to make us see the way you saw--
But for the names of what you've noticed.
Names that announce the whatness of the world to a single species.
It's hard to grasp at first the density, the specificity
With which the world has been named.
This is a planet of overlapping lexicons,
Generation after generation, trade after trade,
Expedition after expedition sent out to bring home
Name upon name, terms of identity in endless degrees of intimacy,
And all at hand, if you look for them.
*
In the syntax and rhythm of sentences,
In the page of thought, the intensity of movement,
The crescendo and decrescendo,
The trustworthy reader learns the writer's habitude and how to move with it.
You converse, in a sense, with the voice on the other side of the ink.
The kind of reading is the pleasure of being summoned out of ourselves by the grace,
The ferocity, the skill of the writing before us.
How else to explain our love of even difficult writers?
Their agility evokes our agility.
We move at their speed, elliptically, obliquely,
However they move.
Product details
- Publisher : Vintage; Vintage edition (April 9, 2013)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0307279413
- ISBN-13 : 978-0307279415
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.17 x 0.67 x 7.96 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #17,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the writing style clear and concise, with short sentences. They appreciate the insightful advice and original thoughts presented in an intelligent way. The book is described as a nice, enjoyable read with an appealing style. Readers appreciate the humor and freshness of the ideas. However, some find the content repetitive and boring.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the writing style clear and easy to read. The author's advice on writing is sound, insightful, and plain-spoken. They appreciate the clear sentences and grammar focus. However, some readers feel the writing process was turbulent and the prose is poetic in nature.
"...But insightful of its application to writing. It really means to have confidence in yourself, something teachers and friends..." Read more
"...But his sentences Are more like acrobats. They are bold and exciting and captivating and surprising...." Read more
"...Instead it is focused on all parts of writing. Some of which seems clear or doable, While others seem to be out of reach...." Read more
"...The nature of the novel is to guide the reader on how to write. Klinkenborg imbeds his thoughts about writing deeply into everything...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and useful. They appreciate the original thoughts, intelligent ideas, and relatable topics. The book helps them improve their writing skills and is inspiring.
"...The perfect balance to spark interest, and stop feelings of repulsiveness. All books demand to be read again, but this one requests it...." Read more
"...They are bold and exciting and captivating and surprising. He doesn’t care about your opinion. He won’t be convinced otherwise...." Read more
"...Perhaps the idea is intelligent, and usable. To be flung away, Simply because the idea came too quick...." Read more
"Thank you to Verlyn Klinkenborg for his insights! Practical and sober observations. Enjoyed every bit . Will definitely read again." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They say it's a useful guide for writers and readers, with thought-provoking sentences. The book is considered deep and well worth the time.
"...It makes you grin, but for such a deep book, That's all you need. To burst out laughing would seem weird in this environment...." Read more
"...From the view of a reader it was enjoyable, Reading the book as though it were a large poem...." Read more
"...Practical and sober observations. Enjoyed every bit . Will definitely read again." Read more
"...of the book's 204 pages, the balance being examples of prose, good and bad, and concise commentary...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's style. They find it appealing, with concise sentences that never exceed more than a line or two. The writing is described as not too serious or whimsical, and is comparable to Strunk & White.
"...The key of not getting too serious, but not too whimsical, Is a showstopper of its own. 150 pages are built for wisdom,..." Read more
"...With brilliantly sculpted, concise sentences, Never more than a line and a half,..." Read more
"...Something better. Its an easy ready, with a weird style. Its simply annoying that I couldnt remember..." Read more
"...Klinkenborg’s style was attractive to me. It exuded clarity, Which then gave off confidence...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it insightful and humorous, making good points about writing well.
"...The humor links up with wisdom, The key of not getting too serious, but not too whimsical, Is a showstopper of its own...." Read more
"...It is not boring or dry. There is humor in this book, and those in the practice of writing will catch it. The joke will be on the reader...." Read more
"...It's insightful, irreverent and eye-opening. I highly recommend it no matter where you are in your writing career." Read more
"...It makes many good points in an amusing fashion about how to write well ." Read more
Customers find the ideas relatable and exciting. They say the book makes their minds clearer and helps them focus on writing.
"...Every page is fresh. Fresh like a calm river stream. The new information flows through steadily, Not too fast, and not too slow...." Read more
"...But his sentences Are more like acrobats. They are bold and exciting and captivating and surprising...." Read more
"...The different takes on writing presented in the book Refreshed my mind and have already begun to change The way that I write...." Read more
"...I found his ideas highly relatable And refreshing, as they were ideas not many Teachers have admitted in my life before...." Read more
Customers find the content repetitive and confusing. They mention it's too deep and overuses cliches. The book lacks clear divisions between thoughts and is described as odd.
"...He makes it very confusing at times because For all of our lives we are taught to create flow..." Read more
"...arcs and trails to other ideas. No subject is uninteresting, unless approached without the commitment and balance of knowledge...." Read more
"...There are no chapters, no clear divisions between thoughts. Instead, there are merely scattered page breaks...." Read more
"...I also enjoy long sentences that convey less simple points and possibly more than one point or detail...." Read more
Customers dislike the chapter count in the book. They say there are no chapters and no structure.
"...No chapters, no paragraphs, no format. But it is organized. Do not mistaken the wisdom as strawn about all over,..." Read more
"...There are no chapters, no clear divisions between thoughts. Instead, there are merely scattered page breaks...." Read more
"...Challenge to get used to. Lacking in chapters, sections, or any kind of categorized..." Read more
"...The sentences are just weird. There are no chapters, no structure whatsoever, if you can believe it. It rambles, circles back...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2017Short Review
The book was a unique journey.
It wasn’t complex, and it wasn’t out of the ordinary. Did it have to be?
Again, a book completely shuffles my expectations. There was something peculiar about the writing style, as if it was trying to prove that writing could be unique.
A lot of the wisdom were givens.
We all knew the answers, we just didn’t know the questions.
All books provide knowledge.
But few make you think about knowledge.
This book was one of the few to do it. It’s special, because it defies any imaginary boundaries set by the readers.
No chapters, no paragraphs, no format.
But it is organized.
Do not mistaken the wisdom as strawn about all over,
It is inconspicuously very organized.
Much like a school of fish, seemingly very clumsy,
But surprisingly flexible once put into action.
Throughout the book, the theme was always among the same guidelines.
That is to be contrary to what one would think,
And to be innovative on looking at subjects from different angles.
The wisdom was given raw, without need of long elaboration, \
Or detailed profiling. However, that is by no means calling it simple.
Certain things at base value are more complex because of their simplicity.
For example:
“The first person who needs to be persuaded of your authority, is you.”
Not difficult in terms of comprehension, not unique in terms of sage wisdom.
But insightful of its application to writing.
It really means to have confidence in yourself, something teachers and friends
Tell us everyday.
So how come we still defy that moral?
Klinkenborg gives us the wisdom, and reassurance through inspiration.
“The only sure test of your ideas is whether they interest you.”
Is the sentence hard to grasp? No.
Is the sentence convoluted? No.
Is the sentence really as simple as it appears? Yes.
We have our doubts because our experiences set standards.
But this book seeks to break every single one of them.
Instead of breaking order for chaos,
It breaks borders to expand the horizon.
What better way is there to demonstrate your mastery over a subject,
Then to present in a sui generis way?
It’s like turning a transcript into guidelines, then reinventing a play for yourself.
A baker making cake with pie ingredients,
An artist painting with melted crayons.
Speaking of a unique way of delivery, let us discuss humor.
To hit the right balance is hard.
Too forced, and awkwardness threatens the entire play.
Too subtle, and nobody would notice.
Klinkenborg does it with style, that is deadpan humor.
“Let us presuppose she (The other reader) exists.”
“Which is more than your education presupposes”
It makes you grin, but for such a deep book,
That's all you need.
To burst out laughing would seem weird in this environment.
The humor links up with wisdom,
The key of not getting too serious, but not too whimsical,
Is a showstopper of its own.
150 pages are built for wisdom,
A length that is perfect, for a book with no defined structure.
You can finish the book by jumping around,
But you won’t rush through it because of all the valuable information.
You won’t tire yourself as you flip through pages,
I should know, I read the book in the law firm for 2 hours once.
Its open enough to be drawn upon, but not compact enough for scribbles to happen.
Every page is fresh.
Fresh like a calm river stream.
The new information flows through steadily,
Not too fast, and not too slow.
You know the water came from another source,
But you don’t know which source specifically.
Thus a sense of familiarity, and mystery are both established.
The perfect balance to spark interest, and stop feelings of repulsiveness.
All books demand to be read again, but this one requests it.
Klinkenborg created a timeless storage for his temporary ideas,
But consistent ideals.
Its format is defiant, but memorable for sure.
My only criticism, is that maybe a few chapter marks would have helped,
Because when I go back in to dig for more,
I won’t know where to start.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2017Here, in short, is what I want to tell you.
Klinkenborg writes with a confidence that
Makes the reader believe in him.
His sentences present themselves as absolute authority.
He equates sentences
To public speakers.
But his sentences
Are more like acrobats.
They are bold and exciting and captivating and surprising.
He doesn’t care about your opinion.
He won’t be convinced otherwise.
You are ignorant.
I should qualify that sentence.
You are completely ignorant.
Don’t search for the words “I think” or “perhaps,”
Or you will never stop searching.
He gives his sentences importance
By never placing two on the same line.
He picks an idea
And comments on it in a piecewise fashion,
Addressing each and every misconception,
One by one.
He fixates on the sentence.
He might take a few pages to talk about
“Flow”
Or “voice”
Or “style,”
But he always comes back
To the sentence.
Why emphasize the sentence?
He completely ignores plot and topic development.
He completely ignores the big picture.
He wants to approach writing from the perspective of its most basic unit:
The sentence.
He also wants to address writers of all types--scientists, journalists, novelists, educators, students, freethinkers.
The only commonality between the prose of all of these groups is its most basic unit:
The sentence.
The sentence is important.
It provides the fundamental structure for written language.
He criticizes writers for always thinking about the end,
Where they need to go and rushing to get there,
Without thinking about the sentences.
Why hurry?
You can focus on the sentences
And still make it to wherever you want to go.
It might take longer,
But it’s necessary for good writing.
He maintains that words like “genius,” “inspiration,” “flow,” “natural,” and “organic” are untrustworthy.
They represent concepts invented by readers
To venerate writers.
For example, when he speaks to “flow,”
He explains that it only exists in the sense that it is experienced by the reader,
But never by the writer.
Sentences don’t ooze out of the writer,
Or, when they do, they are called “volunteer sentences”
And they are practically never passable.
Many sentences need to be killed completely,
And the vast majority of the remainder need to be revised,
Again,
And again,
And again.
Doesn’t sound much like “flow,” does it?
He also recycles his ideas.
Volunteer sentences, for instance,
Pop up several times,
Throughout the book.
This does not make them redundant,
But it does make them recycled.
They are not redundant because,
When recycled,
They are always used in a different context.
His ideas are related.
Volunteer sentences exhibit composition without revision,
When both composition and revision should occur
Before pen touches paper.
Write short sentences
To combat ambiguity
And to pursue clarity.
Klinkenborg varies his pacing.
If he worries that the reader is drifting off
Due to his sinuous use of language,
He will write a one-sentence paragraph.
Or he will explicitly tell the reader to pay attention.
(There are no rules.)
Pay attention:
He proposes experiments.
Novel ways to generate prose or revisit prose that has already been written.
These are worthwhile experiments,
Not just to think about,
But to implement.
Diagram a sentence.
Find the verb.
Identify a stronger verb.
Locate the subject.
Does it begin the sentence?
More importantly, should it begin the sentence?
Is there consistent pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Are there any unnecessary clauses?
Could the sentence be made clearer?
In the last fifty pages or so,
Klinkenborg provides example writings
(Some extended excerpts, some individual sentences)
And applies to them the philosophy he has set forth.
This is essential because he writes largely in abstraction,
And his topics are subjective and complex,
And only when you see his ideas in action
Do they become simple.
Top reviews from other countries
- OliverReviewed in Canada on March 20, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars A mentally decluttering experience.
One of the reasons I'm skeptical of a lot of writing advice books is for how they'll clutter my head with a lot of rules - each of which I'll need to spend time assessing to see if a) they make sense to me, b) they are a rule or a stylistic preference marketed as a rule, c) are important enough for me to put it in my shortlist of editing tools I always use or are more of a general maxim I'll just try to keep in mind.
The reason this book really vibes with me, and why I'm comfy recommending it, is I found it does the opposite. It decluttered my mind and helped me see core, highly valuable writing concepts clearly for the first time in a long time.
- Mallika BasuReviewed in India on November 14, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars The must one for technical writer
Excellent book for technical writers👍. Must ave it.
- Vanessa CarterReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece in Brevity
Rapidly, this has become one of my favourite books about writing. It’s never far from my desk. If ever words could capture the infinite possibility of a sentence, these do.
- LettacoReviewed in Spain on December 29, 2020
1.0 out of 5 stars a painful read
A few short sentences about this book. It's a painfully rambling read. The way the author has arranged his sentences in broken lines throughout most of the book made it very hard to follow and gave me a headache every time. It's not an insightful, helpful or practical book at all. I honestly don't get the point, the hype, or the four/five star ratings. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone!
-
José Daniel Franco FernándezReviewed in Mexico on September 7, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente libro.
Excelente libro.