William Safire Quotes

My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

Good writers are those who keep the language efficient. That is to say, keep it accurate, keep it clear.

I am a stickler for damn good writing.

I think in most cases, unless you're writing about a character who is garrulous, you say what you've got to say and then get out. Those little conjunctions, those little turnaround words help you do it. That's the way I like to write: I get rid of things rather than add them.

Good writing does not come from verbiage but from words.

Ultimately, it's about the quality of the writing whatever style you are writing.

In prose, I think you sometimes have to write in very plain language, where every line may not seem to be so important, though in all writing every line is important.

Through an arbitrary problem, I had arrived at a tenet of good writing: brevity wins.

A writer should care about one thing - the language. To write well - that is his duty. That is his only duty.

You just can't make bad writing look good. But if you have good writing, you just say it, and it's almost done.

Adverbs lead to overwriting. Try taking them out and reading your prose again to see how it sounds. Simple and less words are more powerful.

As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.

Never use the word, 'very.' It is the weakest word in the English language; doesn't mean anything. If you feel the urge of 'very' coming on, just write the word, 'damn,' in the place of 'very.' The editor will strike out the word, 'damn,' and you will have a good sentence.

There are some simple maxims which I think might be commended to writers of expository prose. First: never use a long word if a short word will do. So, if you want to make a statement with a great many qualifications, put some of the qualifications in separate sentences. Third: do not let the beginning of your sentence lead the reader to an expectation which is contradicted by the end.

I would never use a long word, even, where a short one would answer the purpose.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

Omit needless words.

Read every sentence you write out loud. If it sounds boring, kill it.

Any writer my age almost can't get away from being influenced by Kurt Vonnegut, partially because of his simple, clear way of stating things. To read Vonnegut is to learn how to use economy words.

I never knew a writer yet who took the smallest pains with his style and was at the same time readable.

Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very'; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.

Anyone can make an article longer; the skill is keeping it tight and lean.

Vigorous writing is concise.

Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all.

You start realizing that good prose is crunchy. There's texture in your mouth as you say it. You realize bad writing, bland writing, has no texture, no taste, no corners in your mouth. I'm a great believer in reading aloud.