p. 204 | Writing for the Press by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1870

Writing for the Press.

By Editor

We have reached a season of the year when the energies of almost all classes of our subscribers are called out in other directions than writing for our paper. Consequently, our correspondence at this season is apt to lag, and a dearth of original matter prevail at the Office. We therefore take this occasion to send out, as a gentle reminder of what we want and how we want it, the following article from the Morning Star, which we clip from an exchange. If all are not moved by it to immediately seize the pen, and fortified with such an amount of the excellent grace of patience and forbearance as to be able to stand half a dozen rejections with perfect equanimity, they are less easily moved than we anticipate. But to the article:

“Ministers and laymen ought to write more for the papers. It would do them good to write, and do the public good to read what they write. But if they attempt

the task, they should count the cost and resolve to meet it. It is more than likely that they will be wounded to the heart at the outset, by editorial criticisms and rejections. Editors are relentless fellows toward all writings except their own; and aspirants often have to knock long and hard before they are welcomed to the honors of publicity. Such afflictions are not ‘joyous, but grievous;’ but if well endured and properly used, they will bring out talents which would slumber unknown, but for the scourge and gibbet.

“One lesson well learned, and a gracious welcome awaits the writer. Learn this: to put your thoughts into short, terse, direct sentences, without introduction or peroration. It is not lack of thought that incapacitates writers, but attempts at fine writing, the use of platitudes, flourishes, and ornate phrases. Whoever attempts this has a terrible run of words, and poverty of ideas. How many articles come to hand, beginning after this fashion: ‘It was evening. . The sun had just bid adieu to the busy scenes of day, and majestically entered the mysterious depths of ————’ ‘Whew! Nonsense!’ exclaims the editor, and flings the parchment into the waste-basket. The anxious author watches every issue of the paper with excited expectation; the heart springs to the throat, the hot blood rushes to the face, the perspiration stands on the brow. ‘What is the matter, that my article does n’t appear?’

“This is the matter: you left out your ideas and sent only words. The next time, send the ideas and keep the words at home, and you will see yourself in print without delay. Follow the example of the little six-year-old, who lisped: ‘I have made a discovery, mamma. Dis is it. It is dood to be dood, and bad to be bad;’ and so ended her philosophizing. Yes, say something, say it in a few words, and stop.

“We repeat, more persons ought to write for the papers, and if they are rejected, try again, and keep trying, till they acquire the facility of writing so tersely, putting so many thoughts into few words, that all the editors will be eager for their productions. It requires practice to do this.

“Any one can write a long article without any sense; but few can write a short one full of sense. Try it, reader, and see how you succeed. Our waste-basket is large, it will do you good to help fill it; and you may reach a more honorable place and very useful results.”