Ask HN: Tips for Writing? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Tips for Writing?

8 pointsjonathancai6 comments

I've found that splitting my time distinctly into writing vs editing has been really helpful. Writing: blurting everything on the page, no deletions. Editing: Refining what's on the page.

Does anyone have similar tips on writing (whether that be for dev blogs or such)?

View on HN

I start by writing a quick statement about the purpose and the audience of the piece. I keep it at the top of the document as I outline and flesh out the writing. This ensure the material stays tight and on topic.

Similar to you, I write the material out in a single flow and then revise/edit later. I like to let the piece rest and revise at different sitting or a different day. This way I am able to read and critique the piece with fresh eyes.

I prefer writing in the morning.

I don't use any writing app, just hammer it out in Google Doc, or these days in an EverNote note under a notebook called Writing.

I also like to free-write on a topic from time-to-time to explore and uncover interesting concepts. (Checkout this book on free writing: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Genius-Revolutionize-Think...)

Relative to content creation for Dev Blogs -- historical antecedents can be a terrific source of ideas.

Example: On this day in history, Test pilot Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier aboard a Bell X-1 rocket plane. > https://www.historynet.com/today-in-history

Juxtapose this with the recent Boom Supersonic rollout > https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/10/13...

Often interesting to compare and contrast where we are today.

Vary your sentence length. Don't follow strict length rules for each sentence, as good writing employs a mix of short, medium, and long sentences. Incorporating variety avoids monotonous writing, creates emphasis where needed, and helps the reader understand the relationship between different points.

Write in different environments/context (e.g., write drunk, edit sober).

Refer to the "The Elements of Style" when in doubt concerning style.

Sleep on it: separate yourself from your writing by a full night's rest before revising

Get feedback: you don't know your writing expresses anything let alone anything it's meant to if you don't test it on people outside of your head (subtip: learn how to ask for feedback - there's an episode of the podcast Start With This [#3 or #4 iirc] that digs into this)

Try to delete half of what you wrote: half of what you wrote is probably trash, confusing, needlessly ornamental, and/or boring.

The most insightful book I’ve discovered on writing nonfiction is Ayn Rand’s lectures. She covers all steps of the writing process and outlines everything you need to know to write well.

The second best advice is by PG in Writing, Briefly.

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Nonfiction-Guide-Writers-Readers-... PG: http://www.paulgraham.com/writing44.html

Spend more time observing and listening. It will make you a better writer.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com