In Stein on Writing, Sol Stein asks the aspiring writer to think of writing as an envelope. "It is a mistake to fill the envelope with so much detail that little or nothing is left to the reader's imagination", he says.
So both Stein and Wallace share the idea that writing should be a kind of present to the reader, an envelope packaged with care, rather than a simple display of talent. And of course, Wallace was against solipsism- instead believing that writing should be a conversation between writer and reader.
*
Some of Stein's advice for writing is to follow this equation:: 1+1= ½. He explains that “[...] if the same matter is said in two different ways, either alone has a stronger effect”. One detail, the best detail, will suffice.
Perhaps the best advice on this, though- which I’ve heard from numerous writers- is to trust your readers.
No comments:
Post a Comment