Writing does not require a crisis of confidence

Regular roundups and ambitious essays create different pressures. A note can contribute one useful observation; an essay meant to last invites worries about repetition, missed opportunities and consequential mistakes.

In his writing roundup, Zvi Mowshowitz describes those worries without treating them as a necessary ingredient of good work. Responsibility and the wish to improve can supply motivation too. His comparison with competitive Magic is about recognizing an opportunity and fearing that it will be wasted.

The collected advice includes Scott Sumner’s emphasis on reading widely, writing often, considering the reader and using language closer to ordinary speech. There is room to pursue a substantial argument without making every smaller piece carry its weight.