212 Quotes by William Zinsser

No one has something original or important to say will willing we run the risk of being misunderstood; people who write obscurely are either unskilled in writing or up to mischief.

Today the outlandish becomes routine overnight. The humorist is trying to say that it’s still outlandish.

All writers should strive to deliver something fresh-something editors or readers won’t know they want until they see it.

Even a poor translator couldn’t kill a style that moves with such narrative clarity.

I try to make what I have written tighter, stronger and more precise, eliminating every element that’s not doing useful work. Then I go over it once more, reading it aloud, and am always amazed at how much clutter can still be cut.