Something about Writing.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
THIS is an age when people read; and when everybody reads, somebody must of necessity write. Moreover, if those who read are benefited by their reading, it must be because those who write have written something worth reading, and have written so plainly that the meaning cannot be misunderstood. Now, since reading from which no benefit is gained is a waste of time, it follows that a great responsibility rests upon all who write. We therefore give a few practical hints for the benefit of those who feel it to be their duty to write, but do not know just how to do so to the best advantage. The first thing necessary, if one would write, is to have something to say. Not only should you have something which you think is worth reading, but you must be fully persuaded that it is very necessary that others should know it. You may be mistaken in your convictions, but that is another matter; the point is, if you wish others to be impressed by what you write, you must yourself first be impressed by it. Have your subject well in hand before you begin to write. Do not take your pen, dip it in the ink, and then wait for the ideas to come and arrange themselves in the proper order. Thoughts are not so obedient as to do that. They will not arrange themselves; you must do it. Before you begin to write, take a pencil and paper, and jot down the various points which you wish to make, the texts which you wish to use, etc. Then arrange them, and your work is half done. As you write, you can alter your plan, adding or omitting thoughts as seems best. Express yourself in the simplest and most direct manner possible. The object of language is to convey thought; therefore the more plainly the thought is expressed, the better is the language. Most young writers do not seem to understand this, and some writers never learn it. Aim to write so plainly that people not only may understand, but that they must understand. Do not try to be grand, or to soar. In short, do not try to force yourself to write in some particular style. If you do, your lameness will be apparent. There are writers whose eloquent passages and well-rounded periods are a constant delight. You may write as they do, if it is natural for you to do so. But do not sacrifice strength for beauty. A thing may be very pretty, and yet be utterly useless. Of course this means that you must not imitate any one's style of expression. Be yourself. There is no more reason why you should imitate another's style of writing than there is that you should imitate his manner of conversation. Saul's armor was no doubt first class in every respect, but David could not fight in it. Because your neighbor's coat fits him well, you must not conclude that it will also become you. Your coat may be of an entirely different size and pattern, and yet it may fit you as well as his fits him. So words which are very impressive when uttered by one, may be commonplace when spoken by another. It is just as necessary that the style of expression should fit the individual as it is that his coat should fit him. Above all, don't plagiarize. This is a word which136has much the same meaning as embezzlement, defalcation, etc. In plain English, it means stealing. Now don't steal. If somebody has written something which you think is good, don't try to get the credit of it by signing your name to it. If you quote it, give the author the credit. If you do not know the author's name, or do not wish to give it, at least indicate that the quoted passage is not your own. This is the honest way. To do any other way is to be dishonest. The law does not punish a man for appropriating an article that has been written by another, unless that article has been copyrighted; but such an act is no less dishonorable on that account. "Thou shalt not steal." Besides the sin of plagiarism, there is another thing about it to be considered, and that is the loss of reputation which it brings. A man steals money because he has none, and does not like to work. It is very natural to imagine that people steal ideas for the same reason. If your ideas are your own, and are expressed in your own style, they may be somewhat crude, but you will get credit for just what you are. But if you take the ideas and expressions of another and pass them off as your own, people will not give you credit for being able to produce anything yourself. Of course it is understood that there is very little absolute originality. We are all mutually dependent. We know nothing that we have not learned, and what we have learned, somebody knew before we did. But we may have combinations of ideas that no one else has, and we may be able to express ideas in a way that has occurred to no one else. This is originality, in the common acceptation of the term. If one has not this originality, if he cannot say anything that has not already been said, there is no occasion for him to write. Don't attempt to write poetry if you can possibly keep from it. This rule should be written in capital letters, and kept constantly before every young writer. Hundreds of persons who might have been useful, have ruined themselves by starting in with poetry. Many people seem to think that poetry is the simplest and most natural kind of composition. That is a grave error. A composition is not necessarily poetry because each line begins with a capital letter; neither can all rhyme be called poetry. There are not so many poets in the world by a great many thousand as is sometimes supposed. Don't imagine that you are one of the few, just because you enjoy reading poetry. But if your thoughts will present themselves in rhyme and meter, and you cannot possibly express yourself except in verse, then go ahead. The result may be poetry, and it may not be; but it is more likely to be poetry than is a great part of the matter which is called by that name. Finally, if you wish your manuscript to receive speedy attention from any editor, observe the following simple items:—
Write on ruled paper.
Write only on one side of the sheet.
Use pen and ink.
Write as legibly as you possibly can. Don't "dash off" your thoughts, and then ask the editor to excuse poor writing, as you were in a hurry. The chances are that if you were in too great a hurry to write legibly, the editor will be in too great a hurry to attempt to read what you have written. Many valuable thoughts have perished in the waste basket because of a failure to observe this last rule. Remember that to write poorly is solely the editor's prerogative. These are by no means all the important points that might be noted; yet if only these are kept in mind, and you write, not for fame, nor for any selfish motive, but with the simple purpose to do good, you will be quite likely to write something worth reading.