'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser

I was not a good English student. I took little interest in reading, writing, literature, or grammar in grade school or college, and often stumbled through assignments to earn lackluster grades. Now in my professional life, I somehow manage writing more emails, memos, and informational material than my seventh-grade self could have imagined. It's become obvious to me that my disinterest in the subject has only done me disservice. I've also been inspired to write more in my personal life, so I picked up 'On Writing Well' to learn how experienced writers approach what can be a daunting but fulfilling task.

Zinsser emphasizes that rewriting is the real task at hand. Like a sculptor, you start with a mass of unshapen raw material - this is your first draft. You then chisel, scrape, and mold until the final piece reflects your message in its most efficient and impactful form.