On Writing

1. Writing is about truth and experience, not symbolism

All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you; the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was.

Truth in fiction. Hemingway emphasizes that good writing transcends mere storytelling. It should create an experience so vivid and authentic that readers feel they have lived it themselves. This involves:

• Capturing the essence of human experiences
• Conveying emotions and sensations with precision
• Creating a sense of place and atmosphere

Beyond symbolism. Hemingway rejects the notion that every element in a story must have symbolic meaning. Instead, he advocates for:

• Presenting things as they are, without unnecessary layers of meaning
• Allowing readers to draw their own conclusions
• Focusing on the power of direct, unadorned storytelling

2. Develop talent, discipline, and an unwavering conscience

First, there must be talent, much talent. Talent such as Kipling had. Then there must be discipline. The discipline of Flaubert. Then there must be the conception of what it can be and an absolute conscience as unchanging as the standard meter in Paris, to prevent faking.

Essential qualities. Hemingway outlines three critical elements for a writer's success:

1. Talent: An innate ability to craft compelling stories and evocative prose
2. Discipline: The commitment to hone one's craft through consistent practice
3. Conscience: An unwavering dedication to artistic integrity

Preventing faking. Hemingway emphasizes the importance of authenticity in writing. This involves:

• Resisting the temptation to imitate others or follow trends
• Staying true to one's artistic vision
• Constantly striving for honesty and clarity in expression

3. Master the art of omission and simplicity

If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them.

The iceberg theory. Hemingway's famous approach to writing involves:

• Leaving out unnecessary details
• Trusting the reader's intelligence and imagination
• Creating depth through what is left unsaid

Power of simplicity. Hemingway advocates for clear, concise prose:

• Using short, declarative sentences
• Avoiding excessive adjectives and adverbs
• Focusing on concrete details rather than abstract concepts

By mastering these techniques, writers can create powerful, evocative prose that resonates with readers on a deeper level.

4. Write from personal knowledge and observation

I've seen the marlin mate and know about that. So I leave that out. I've seen a school (or pod) of more than fifty sperm whales in that same stretch of water and once harpooned one nearly sixty feet in length and lost him. So I left that out. All the stories I know from the fishing village I leave out. But the knowledge is what makes the underwater part of the iceberg.

Personal experience as foundation. Hemingway emphasizes the importance of writing about what you know:

• Draw from your own life experiences and observations
• Use personal knowledge to add depth and authenticity to your writing
• Understand that not everything you know needs to be explicitly stated

The power of restraint. By leaving out certain details, Hemingway creates:

• A sense of mystery and intrigue
• Room for readers to engage their imagination
• A more focused and impactful narrative

This approach requires writers to be selective about what they include, trusting that their personal knowledge will inform the writing in subtle but powerful ways.

5. Embrace the solitude and challenges of the writing life

Writing, at its best, is a lonely life. Organizations for writers palliate the writer's loneliness but I doubt if they improve his writing. He grows in public stature as he sheds his loneliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day.

Solitude as necessity. Hemingway emphasizes that true writing requires:

• Embracing isolation and introspection
• Avoiding distractions and external influences
• Confronting one's thoughts and emotions directly

Challenges of the craft. The writing life involves:

• Facing personal demons and insecurities
• Dealing with rejection and criticism
• Balancing the need for solitude with the desire for connection

Hemingway suggests that these challenges are not merely obstacles but essential elements that contribute to a writer's growth and the quality of their work.

6. Read extensively to understand what you must surpass

He should have read everything so he knows what he has to beat.

Literary foundation. Hemingway emphasizes the importance of extensive reading:

• Familiarize yourself with the classics and contemporary works
• Understand different styles, techniques, and approaches
• Develop a critical eye for what makes good writing

Competitive mindset. Hemingway encourages writers to:

• Aim to surpass the great works they've read
• Use their reading as a benchmark for their own writing
• Constantly strive to improve and innovate

This approach fosters a sense of ambition and drives writers to push the boundaries of their craft, ensuring that they contribute something new and valuable to the literary landscape.

7. Focus on creating living characters, not caricatures

When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature. If a writer can make people live there may be no great characters in his book, but it is possible that his book will remain as a whole; as an entity; as a novel.

Authentic characters. Hemingway emphasizes the importance of creating believable, multi-dimensional characters:

• Avoid stereotypes and one-dimensional portrayals
• Draw from real-life observations and experiences
• Allow characters to have flaws and contradictions

Organic storytelling. By focusing on creating living people rather than characters:

• The story unfolds more naturally
• Readers become more invested in the narrative
• The work has a greater chance of standing the test of time

This approach requires writers to deeply understand human nature and to resist the temptation to create larger-than-life characters that may be memorable but ultimately ring false.

8. Cultivate good working habits and routines

When you start to write you get all the kick and the reader gets none. So you might as well use a typewriter because it is that much easier and you enjoy it that much more. After you learn to write your whole object is to convey everything, every sensation, sight, feeling, place and emotion to the reader.

Disciplined approach. Hemingway advocates for developing consistent writing habits:

• Establish a regular writing schedule
• Create a dedicated workspace
• Set daily word count or time goals

Revision process. Hemingway emphasizes the importance of careful editing:

• Write freely in the first draft
• Revise and refine multiple times
• Focus on conveying sensations and emotions to the reader

By cultivating these habits, writers can improve their productivity and the quality of their work, ensuring that their writing effectively communicates their vision to the reader.

9. Avoid political affiliations that compromise artistic integrity

Now a writer can make himself a nice career while he is alive by espousing a political cause, working for it, making a profession of believing in it, and if it wins he will be very well placed. All politics is a matter of working hard without reward, or with a living wage for a time, in the hope of booty later.

Artistic independence. Hemingway warns against aligning oneself too closely with political causes:

• Maintain creative freedom and objectivity
• Avoid becoming a mouthpiece for any ideology
• Focus on universal human truths rather than temporary political trends

Long-term perspective. He emphasizes the importance of:

• Creating work that will endure beyond current political climates
• Prioritizing artistic growth over short-term gains
• Remaining true to one's artistic vision regardless of external pressures

By maintaining this independence, writers can create work that speaks to broader human experiences and remains relevant long after specific political movements have faded.

10. Learn from other great writers, but find your own voice

I think you should learn about writing from everybody who has ever written that has anything to teach you.

Literary education. Hemingway encourages writers to:

• Study a wide range of authors and styles
• Analyze what makes great writing effective
• Incorporate lessons from various sources into one's own work

Developing originality. While learning from others, it's crucial to:

• Experiment with different techniques and approaches
• Gradually develop a unique writing style
• Avoid mere imitation of admired writers

This balanced approach allows writers to benefit from the wisdom of their predecessors while still cultivating their own distinctive voice and perspective.

11. Prioritize artistic growth over commercial success

I've always thought that only one thing mattered, your own career, and like a general in battle I would sacrifice anything to my work and I would not let my self be fond of anything I could not lose. But now I have learned that you have no success while you are alive; the only success that counts while you live is making money and I refused that.

Artistic integrity. Hemingway emphasizes the importance of:

• Focusing on improving one's craft rather than chasing financial success
• Being willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of artistic growth
• Resisting the temptation to compromise one's vision for commercial gain

Long-term perspective. He suggests that true success lies in:

• Creating work that will endure beyond one's lifetime
• Constantly striving to push the boundaries of one's abilities
• Finding satisfaction in the process of creation rather than external validation

By maintaining this focus on artistic growth, writers can create work of lasting value and significance, even if it may not bring immediate financial rewards or recognition.

Last updated: January 24, 2025