Book · 2012 · Language Arts & Disciplines
Several Short Sentences About Writing
Why people recommend it
Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg is a distinctive and meditative craft book that challenges traditional notions of grammar, syntax, and the creative flow of prose. On the podcast How I Write in September 2026, author R.F. Kuang recommended the work while discussing her own artistic development and professional philosophy. Kuang explained that she learned a crucial professional attitude from Klinkenborg's book, specifically adopting its perspective to dismantle romanticized assumptions about effortless creative genius and continuous flow. Instead, the text taught her to respect the physical construction of sentences on the page, viewing writing as a deliberate, sentence-by-sentence architectural process rather than a mystical outpouring of inspiration. By invoking Klinkenborg's unique formatting and rigorous stylistic principles, Kuang illustrated how writers can overcome psychological blocks and build greater discipline in their daily practice. The recommendation emphasized the book's value as a transformative manual for anyone seeking to strip away literary pretense and achieve sharper, more intentional prose.
Who recommended it
- R.F. Kuang Recommended
R.F. Kuang — 1 mention
“I I learned this attitude from a book called um several very short sentences are writing by Verlin Clinkenborg.”