The Art of Nonfiction - A Guide for Writers and Readers

As explained in the book's Introduction: "[Ayn Rand] maintains that writing is a rational sphere, governed by rationally identifiable principles. 'Writing is no more difficult a skill than any other, such as engineering,' she says. 'Like every human activity, it requires practice and knowledge. But there is nothing mystical to it.'

" 'Since writing is essentially the act of communicating your thoughts clearly, it can be done by virtually everyone. . . .' Repudiating the standard, subjectivist perspective, she holds that writing is to be treated as an objective science: 'Whenever you have a problem, whether you are writing an article or building a doghouse, do not look inside for the solution. Do not ask: "How do I do it?" Look outside and ask: "What is the nature of the thing I want to do?" ' From this, she proceeds to discuss the nature of writing and its consequent requirements. . . .

"This is not just the de-mysticizing, but the de-agonizing of writing. It will not make writing problem-free, but something much better: problem-solvable. The conviction that one's work can be guided by rational principles rescues writers from a sense of helplessness. It saves them from the state of pre-science savages, who felt they were at the mercy of incomprehensible forces."