Gary Halbert · whole document (20)
Boron - Chapter 17
Bond, do you understand what I am saying? You do. Good, then
let’s go on. Etc.
How do we get the benefits? The answer is simple. All we
have to do is etc., etc.
Can you imagine that? I know it seems unbelievable but facts
are facts! Etc., etc., etc.
And so on. God I love to write “And so on.” Kurt Vonnegut
uses it quite often and he is one of the best writers I’ve
read.
What is a good writer? Well, in my opinion a good writer is
one who makes things perfectly clear. He makes it easy for
the reader. Easy-to-understand what he is saying, easy to
keep reading. And, if you want a treat, if you want to read
an entertaining book written with great clarity, then read
Vonnegut’s “Breakfast of Champions.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I said the book was written
clearly, I did not say it was written by a sane person.
Onward.
By the way, do you notice how little one word transition
sentences like “onward.” keep the flow going? You say you do
notice? O.k., smarty, see if you can answer this question:
Question:
What is the best way of becoming a
good writer?
Aha! You’re not absolutely certain about this one, are you?
Here is the answer:
The Best Way To Become
A Good Writer... Is By...
Writing Good Writing!
And, of course, that’s what the subject of this entire
letter is all about. Don’t worry about developing a “style.”
Your own peculiarities will emerge soon enough.
But remember this. (Ran out of ink) The very best writing
goes unnoticed. That’s right. You don’t want someone to read
one of your ads and say “Gosh, that advertisement was sure
well written!”