Ernest Hemingway was one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century.
Wrote 9 novels. Won a Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize. Then shot himself to death.
In 1958, The Paris Review featured an interview with him.
Here are his ten insights on the writing process:
Wrote 9 novels. Won a Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize. Then shot himself to death.
In 1958, The Paris Review featured an interview with him.
Here are his ten insights on the writing process:
1. Stop writing for the day when you know what is going to happen next, when you still have some juice.
This way you will know where to start the next day and won't get stuck.
This way you will know where to start the next day and won't get stuck.
2. Learn to write a simple declarative sentence.
(This is one of the greatest writing advices ever. Writing a simple declarative sentence with no subtext or irony or sarcasm is incredibly difficult.)
(This is one of the greatest writing advices ever. Writing a simple declarative sentence with no subtext or irony or sarcasm is incredibly difficult.)
3. The best writing happens when you are in love.
(Maybe. Not too sure about it π)
(Maybe. Not too sure about it π)
4. Reread the classics often.
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
5. Writing well is impossibly difficult.
(Trigger warning: Hemingway seems frustrated with the interviewer or the question here. He suggests a beginner writer should try to hang themselves, then cut themselves some slack, and start with a story of the hanging.)
(Trigger warning: Hemingway seems frustrated with the interviewer or the question here. He suggests a beginner writer should try to hang themselves, then cut themselves some slack, and start with a story of the hanging.)
Writing, especially academic writing, can be really challenging.
That's why we built Research Kick Chat.
It lets you build AI-powered assistants for all your research and writing needs.
Tutorialπ
That's why we built Research Kick Chat.
It lets you build AI-powered assistants for all your research and writing needs.
Tutorialπ
6. A sensible question is neither a delight nor an annoyance.
(Equally applicable to interesting research questions. By the way, Research Kick also helps you craft compelling research questions.)
(Equally applicable to interesting research questions. By the way, Research Kick also helps you craft compelling research questions.)
7. As a writer, don't worry about symbolism.
(Leave it to critics. They will find out symbolism even if you don't put in any. They have got to pay their bills π)
(Leave it to critics. They will find out symbolism even if you don't put in any. They have got to pay their bills π)
8. Don't test out writing by talking about it to others.
(This needs explanation. Don't discuss what you're writing druing the first few drafts. Feedback at this stage may cripple your progress. Write your initial drafts with the conviction that what you're writing is the best.)
(This needs explanation. Don't discuss what you're writing druing the first few drafts. Feedback at this stage may cripple your progress. Write your initial drafts with the conviction that what you're writing is the best.)
9. Style is "the unavoidable awkwardness in first trying to make something that has not heretofore been made."
Imitating someone else's awkwardness will not help you develop your style.
Imitating someone else's awkwardness will not help you develop your style.
10. Start your writing session by rewriting what you wrote the day before.
(If you've already written 20 pages, rewriting everything may not be helpful. But rewriting the last few paragraphs will certainly be very helpful.)
(If you've already written 20 pages, rewriting everything may not be helpful. But rewriting the last few paragraphs will certainly be very helpful.)
Fun fact: Hemingway Look-Alike Contest is held annually in Key West, Florida annually in which men compete to see who looks most like Hemingway.
Found Hemingway's writing tips helpful?
Let me know in the comments and I will compile writing tips from other authors.
Let me know in the comments and I will compile writing tips from other authors.
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