Writing in Five: William Zinsser on Writing Harmoniously

Post #8 – Memoir and Fiction, Writing Alchemy – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler

William Zinsser Provides Writing Advice

In this first of what will eventually be many returns to William Zinsser’s writing advice, I look at the chapter entitled Unity in his book On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. Do you find you wander here and there in your writing? Are you sometimes in one tense and later find yourself in another tense and don’t know how to fix you meandering tenses?

What about taming the beast called your subject matter, scope, or story? Zinsser’s focus is on nonfiction writing, but his lessons apply to those writing fiction equally well.

In the brief video below, I highlight the importance of seeking unity in our writing, what Zinsser means by unity, and how we can best frame the story we’re telling. Near the end, I interview two of my students to ask them how they’ll apply Zinsser’s advice in their own writing. Does this inspire you to look at your work in a little different way?

Join me now for this Writing in Five: Quick Tip #8.

Last week’s Writing in Five, also featured William Zinsser. If you’re interested in what he says about crafting openings, click here.

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