马克吐温是世界上最著名的美国作家之一，就连我们的语文课本也有他的文章。福克纳誉马克吐温为“美国文学之父”。别以为这是文学家之间的恭维。福克纳这个有性格的大作家对于另一位美国文豪海明威可并不欣赏。

马克吐温语言风格犀利幽默，也是个出了名的吐槽帝。做过记者的，靠笔杆子打过仗，他的写作技巧备受推崇，生前总是有人向他讨教一些关于文学艺术和写作技巧的问题。这位大文豪的答案有时认真，有时戏谑。今天，小编将为大家罗列一些从他的书信、散文、小说、演讲等作品中提炼总结的10条最应该牢记的写作技巧。


Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.
首先你得找到事实，然后才能随心所欲地“扭曲”事实


Use the right word, not its second cousin.The difference between the right word and the almost right word is just like lightening and lightening bug.
使用正确的词语，而不是他们的“远亲”（一些模棱两可的近义词）.“准确的词”和“基本准确的词”的天壤之距犹如闪电和萤火虫

注：此句需要根据英文原意去理解，二词字面非常接近闪电-lightening 萤火虫-lightening bug


As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.The more you explain it, the more I don't understand it.
如果对某个形容词的使用感到没把握，请弃用.事情往往越描越黑（越是解释越难以被理解）。


You need not expect to get your book right the first time. Go to work and revamp or rewrite it.
你别指望你的作品可以一书而就。修改重写必不可少。



Substitute damn every time you're inclined to write very; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
用“very（非常）”这个词，还不如用“damn（该死的）”。反正你的编辑也会删了它，然后换成别的合适的单词。


Use good grammar.
语法要严谨


There is one thing I can't stand and won't stand, from many people. That is, sham sentimentality.
唯一一点我无法同很多人苟同就是，为赋新词强说愁。



Use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English, don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in.
写作语言朴实简单为上策。使用简短的单词，简明扼要的句子。这是才是英语的打开方式，别让那些虚头八脑的修饰破化了它。


The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say.
当你觉得你已经完成了让自己非常满意的作品时，这恰恰是“开始”写作的最佳时机。因为那时你真正对自己的文章有了一个清晰的概念，你才能意识到自己真正想表达的是什么。


Write without pay until somebody offers pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence as the sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for.
坚持写作，直到有人肯为你的作品付钱。如果3年内都无人问津,那就别那么自信了，也许锯木头的工作更适合你。