C. S. Lewis Said:

from a letter to a student writer

C. S. Lewis Said:

Do you write to write or just write to be read

have something to say don’t just say something

write about your interest not just trying to interest

having no interest you will produce the same

write with your ear not the mind or eyes

minimize distractions or they will distract

if you don’t know the word meaning look it up

ill chosen words produce misunderstanding

be painfully clear or it will be clearly painful

your picture may not be your reader's picture

when it is done keep it even if it seems bad

who knows, it may be useful later if not now.

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks for sharing this. these thoughts are most invaluable. when i write, i try to go with my gut. however these teachings offer a lot of insight into the writer's craft. as i am always seeking to improve, i will keep these ideas in mind. i especially like the part: 'write with your ear not the mind or eyes' words are after all sounds, even if read silently. i will focus more on producing prose that is phonetically pleasant.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love Clive. He had a very analytical mind and there's some good advice here. In fact, I practice these suggestions myself especially looking up words that I already know the meaning of just to see if my usage of them is apropos. Our craft is only as good as the workmanship we put into it. I enjoyed.

[Marie]

Thank you for sharing these very wise and insightful words with regard to what we need to consider before we begin writing. C. S. Lewis was a very informed writer. The picture we paint through our words may differ from the picture in the reader's mind unless both they and we read from the same hymn sheet. I like that he advises the reader to keep the work they have created even if it seems bad, because it may be useful later if not in the present moment. Thank you for sharing this very informative write, Carl. Bless you always...

[Soren]

Wisdom in wordplay finely written. Loved several of your lines Carl many applicable to poets "Write to write or just write to be read" "your picture may not be your reader's picture" At first this bothered me a great deal when people did not understand my poems but now I have come to believe there are now wrong interpretations only different ones and the measure of the work is not its meaning but its impact.

[carl]

honestly I still wrestle with the is my meaning coming across to the reader, but I see the wisdom of considering the impact as I have read many pieces where I was unsure of what the author fully intended but was moved in heart and mind by the work - thanks for that insight -carl

[Thomas W Case]

Great advice. Thanks for posting.