No one can deny that Ernest Hemingway was one of America’s most iconic authors of the 20th century. He was as renowned for his writing habits as he was for his literary genius. His works, such as For Whom the Bells Tolls, The Old Man and the Sea and The Sun Also Rises are marked by their concise, powerful prose. But what were his writing habits and what can we take away from them to help improve our own habits?
A Strict Routine
Hemingway believed in the power of routine. He usually began his writing day around 6 a.m. Getting an early start allowed him to work in the quietest part of the day, free from distractions. He often wrote until noon, or sometimes earlier if he felt he had accomplished enough. This rigorous schedule helped him maintain a consistent output without burning out.
In his own words, Hemingway emphasized the importance of stopping when the writing was going well. This strategy, he believed, made it easier to pick up where he left off the next day. "The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day...you will never be stuck."
Setting Word Count Goals
Hemingway set himself a daily word count goal, typically aiming for 500 to 1,000 words. This target was ambitious yet achievable, ensuring steady progress on his manuscripts. He recorded his daily word counts on a chart to keep himself accountable and motivated.
The Importance of Editing
Known for his often described economical style, Hemingway was a relentless editor of his own work. He famously declared, "The first draft of anything is shit," reflecting his belief in the necessity of thorough revision. Hemingway's editing process often involved multiple rewrites, with each draft being pared down to its essential elements. His goal was to achieve clarity and precision, stripping away any superfluous language.
Writing Standing Up
Hemingway preferred to write standing up, a habit he developed due to a knee injury. He arranged his writing space to accommodate this preference, with a typewriter positioned on a high shelf. This setup not only alleviated physical discomfort but also kept him alert and focused.
Control Your Environment
Hemingway’s writing environment was carefully curated to minimize distractions. He often wrote in isolation, whether in his homes in Key West, Cuba, or Idaho, or during his travels. He believed in the importance of a quiet, dedicated workspace, where he could immerse himself fully in his writing.
His experiences and surroundings deeply influenced his work. Hemingway drew extensively from his own life, infusing his fiction with his adventures as a journalist, soldier, and sportsman. The authenticity of his settings and characters often stemmed from his firsthand experiences, whether it was the bullfights in Spain, the fishing expeditions in Cuba, or the battlefields of World War I and II.
Mental Preparation and Discipline
Hemingway insisted on putting great emphasis on mental preparation. He approached writing with the discipline of an athlete, believing that mental readiness was crucial for creative work. He often spent the last moments before falling asleep thinking about his work in progress, allowing his subconscious mind to work on the story overnight. This practice helped him wake up ready to write, with ideas and scenes already formed in his mind.
His Unique Minimalist Style
Central to Hemingway’s writing habits was his commitment to a minimalist style. Influenced by his background in journalism, he favored short sentences and direct language. This “iceberg theory” of writing, where the deeper meaning is implied rather than overtly stated, became a hallmark of his work. You can see it throughout all of his work. Hemingway’s focus on brevity and subtext required meticulous attention to each word and sentence. Every element of his writing served a purpose.
*Ernest Hemingway’s writing habits were characterized by a disciplined routine, clear goals, and a relentless pursuit of simplicity and precision. His methods, from his early morning writing sessions to his editing process, shaped his literary style and contributed to his success. By studying Hemingway’s approach to the craft, writers can understand valuable lessons on the importance of routine, discipline, and the art of revision.
A Strict Routine
Hemingway believed in the power of routine. He usually began his writing day around 6 a.m. Getting an early start allowed him to work in the quietest part of the day, free from distractions. He often wrote until noon, or sometimes earlier if he felt he had accomplished enough. This rigorous schedule helped him maintain a consistent output without burning out.
In his own words, Hemingway emphasized the importance of stopping when the writing was going well. This strategy, he believed, made it easier to pick up where he left off the next day. "The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day...you will never be stuck."
Setting Word Count Goals
Hemingway set himself a daily word count goal, typically aiming for 500 to 1,000 words. This target was ambitious yet achievable, ensuring steady progress on his manuscripts. He recorded his daily word counts on a chart to keep himself accountable and motivated.
The Importance of Editing
Known for his often described economical style, Hemingway was a relentless editor of his own work. He famously declared, "The first draft of anything is shit," reflecting his belief in the necessity of thorough revision. Hemingway's editing process often involved multiple rewrites, with each draft being pared down to its essential elements. His goal was to achieve clarity and precision, stripping away any superfluous language.
Writing Standing Up
Hemingway preferred to write standing up, a habit he developed due to a knee injury. He arranged his writing space to accommodate this preference, with a typewriter positioned on a high shelf. This setup not only alleviated physical discomfort but also kept him alert and focused.
Control Your Environment
Hemingway’s writing environment was carefully curated to minimize distractions. He often wrote in isolation, whether in his homes in Key West, Cuba, or Idaho, or during his travels. He believed in the importance of a quiet, dedicated workspace, where he could immerse himself fully in his writing.
His experiences and surroundings deeply influenced his work. Hemingway drew extensively from his own life, infusing his fiction with his adventures as a journalist, soldier, and sportsman. The authenticity of his settings and characters often stemmed from his firsthand experiences, whether it was the bullfights in Spain, the fishing expeditions in Cuba, or the battlefields of World War I and II.
Mental Preparation and Discipline
Hemingway insisted on putting great emphasis on mental preparation. He approached writing with the discipline of an athlete, believing that mental readiness was crucial for creative work. He often spent the last moments before falling asleep thinking about his work in progress, allowing his subconscious mind to work on the story overnight. This practice helped him wake up ready to write, with ideas and scenes already formed in his mind.
His Unique Minimalist Style
Central to Hemingway’s writing habits was his commitment to a minimalist style. Influenced by his background in journalism, he favored short sentences and direct language. This “iceberg theory” of writing, where the deeper meaning is implied rather than overtly stated, became a hallmark of his work. You can see it throughout all of his work. Hemingway’s focus on brevity and subtext required meticulous attention to each word and sentence. Every element of his writing served a purpose.
*Ernest Hemingway’s writing habits were characterized by a disciplined routine, clear goals, and a relentless pursuit of simplicity and precision. His methods, from his early morning writing sessions to his editing process, shaped his literary style and contributed to his success. By studying Hemingway’s approach to the craft, writers can understand valuable lessons on the importance of routine, discipline, and the art of revision.
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