Mark Twain's Somewhat Pedestrian Rules for Fairly Adequate Writing
Part One
- Read books. If you have none, read the newspaper, read an old letter. But do not read the stars, for they only bring false hope.
- Write Letters. Correspondence brings one great joy. There is nothing more satisfying than having someone recall the misery of a life that is not your own. Care not to take too much joy from the pain of others, however, for pain is a plentiful thing.
- Write in a conversational tone. Oftentimes, I write as though I am speaking to my wife, minus the usual violence.
- Write for a moment here and there. Don’t replace creativity with volume.
- Remember why you’re writing in the first place. If writing holds no joy, then be a dentist. If you haven’t the stomach for dentistry, be something else.
- Go out amongst the people. How can you create diverse characters when everyone around you is either someone you like, tolerate, or someone of close relation?
- Free write. Take pen in hand, put words to paper - ignore all the rest. Some of my greatest work has come from a lack of forethought. Incidentally, so have several of my children, and they are indeed great work.
- Take your writing on the road. If you write only in one place, your mind will travel absent of your body, and this may be a mark of insanity.
- Take time to daydream, because daydreams are where stories are born, but do not daydream yourself into a ditch.
- Make a schedule and stick to it. That is all.
About the Creator
Mack Devlin
Writer, educator, and follower of Christ. Passionate about social justice. Living with a disability has taught me that knowledge is strength.
We are curators of emotions, explorers of the human psyche, and custodians of the narrative.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Keep reading
More stories from Mack Devlin and writers in Writers and other communities.
Poetry in Transition
W.B. Yeats Rather than embellish events with archaic themes and images, William Butler Yeats concluded that poets should merely describe and critique the world around them. This idea was quite a departure from the Romantic Era, in which the use of ancient images and age-old themes from religion and mythology was a popular practice. This practice, however, would soon undergo a massive reconstruction. By the end of the Victorian era, the themes and images from religion and mythology which were popular during the Romantic era, slowly became déclassé, giving way to the more ephemeral images and themes seen in the work of the poets of the 20th century.
By Mack Devlin9 months ago in BookClub
Captivating Good night messages, wishes and qoutes
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, amidst the chaos and noise of the day, there’s a quiet moment that holds immense power — the good night message. Whether whispered in person, typed across a screen, or shared through the pages of a card, these simple words have the ability to soothe souls, ignite smiles, and strengthen connections. Join us as we explore the enchanting world of captivating good night messages, wishes, and quotes, and discover how they can enrich the lives of romantic couples, families, friends, and communities alike.
By Bob Oliver5 days ago in Writers
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.