Writing Prose

Write like you talk. Then cut.

Every sentence must pass this test: "Would I say this to a friend?" If not, rewrite it. A sentence that sounds clumsy read aloud usually hides a muddled idea; fix the thinking, not just the words.

Brevity

• AI-assisted writing runs long: paragraph after paragraph of plausible-sounding text that says little.
• Cut to what you'd say out loud to a busy person. Keep every idea the reader needs and drop the words that carry none.
• If a cut loses meaning, keep the words. If it only loses padding, cut.