Knowledge people and service people learn the most when they teach .
Peter DruckerRead
I see manuscripts and books that are spoiled for the literary reader because they are one long stream of top-of-the-head writing, a writer telling a story without concern for precision or freshness in the use of language. Some of this storytelling reads as if it were spoken rather than written, stuffed with tired images that pop into the writer's head because they are so familiar. The top of the head is fit for growing hair, but not for generating fine prose.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of precision in writing and the avoidance of clichéd expressions.
Sol Stein critiques the quality of writing that lacks thoughtfulness and originality, suggesting that successful prose requires more than just spontaneous ideas. He argues that good writing should avoid tired clichés and strive for fresh, precise language that engages the reader more effectively, rather than merely rambling in a casual, unrefined manner.
Themes
WritingLiteratureLanguagePrecisionCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a writing workshop to encourage participants to focus on originality.
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