Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills, and meaningless jargon.

Never hesitate to imitate another writer. Imitation is part of the creative process for anyone learning an art or a craft. Bach and Picasso didn't spring full-blown as Bach or Picasso; they needed models. This is especially true of writing.

A writer is always working.

The writers job is like solving a puzzle, and finally arriving at a solution is a tremendous satisfaction.

Writing and learning and thinking are the same process.

The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn't induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead. And if the second sentence doesn't induce him to continue to the third sentence, it's equally dead.

Keep your paragraphs short. Writing is visual - it catches the eye before it has a chance to catch the brain.