Bad writing Quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
““…After all, it isn't really difficult to write books. Especially if you either write a rotten story in good English or a good story in rotten English, which is as far as most people seem to get nowadays.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Writing, 1935
Writing is easy when the story is either poorly crafted in good language or well crafted in poor language, highlighting the importance of substance over style.
In simple terms: Good writing needs both story and language.
Key Takeaway
Focus on substance first.
Themes
literature
craft
humor
Mood
reflective
witty
Type
analytical
humorous
When to use this quote
- author workshops
- editing processes
- self‑publishing
- creative writing courses
Key Concepts
narrative quality
ling proficiency
Questions to Reflect On
- What elements make a story compelling beyond language?
- How do you balance style and substance?
A Different Perspective
Even with skill, market preferences can undermine quality work.
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