The most valuable of talents is never using two words when one will do. – Thomas Jefferson
There are many books that provide tips and guidance for publishing success. This series of articles takes you directly to a trusted source of wisdom established authors. The hope is the experiences they have encountered will assist you in your writing objectives.
On Editing
There is but one art, to omit! – Robert Louis Stevenson
A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. – William Strunk, Jr., from The Elements of Style
My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip. – Elmore Leonard
The great art of writing is knowing when to stop. – Josh Billings
As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out. — Mark Twain
When rewriting, move quickly. It’s a little like cutting your own hair. – Robert Stone
Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they...