Thoughts On A Hemingway Quote

 Ernest Hemingway left the world with many wonderful stories, and he bequeathed his expertise to writers with many quotes. The one we have today shows his thoughts on how to tell a story. He said, "My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way." 

A bit vague but good advice, nevertheless. Was he telling us to be observant so we can 'see' stories as we move through life? Was he suggesting we pay close attention to our emotions? And what IS the best and simplest way? 

Let's look at the last part of the quote. The best and simplest way for Hemingway might not be the same for us as it was for him. Once again, it needs to be stated that we are all individuals. No two writers work in exactly the same way. If they did, a formula could be devised and passed out at every writers' convention in the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had something like that to follow as we write our stories, essays, articles, and poems? We could cross off Step 1, Step 2, and right on down to the last Step. That would happen in a perfect world.

Instead, you and I have to come up with a formula that works for us. What about all the advice that people who write books on writing and bloggers like me give about the writing process? Should you ignore it all and ride your own wave forevermore? I don't think so.

Writers will benefit from doing a combination of using the advice of successful writers along with working in a way that feels comfortable to them. I've read about writers who write the ending of the story first. Huh? For me, that would never work. When I was writing my middle-grade novel, I had no idea how the story would end until I got there. There are writers who write the first draft and set it aside for weeks or months before editing and revising. Others wait only days, while some writers plunge into revising and editing immediately. (You all know I don't advise that!) 

When Hemingway says 'the best and simplest way.' does he mean to use short sentences with subject and object and no phrases or clauses or descriptive words? I'm sure he does not want us to write that way. When we read a quote from a well-known writer, we need to sift and sort what was said, not take each thought literally. 

So, what are we aiming for when we write a story, essay, article, or poem? 

1. Clarity
2. Creating interest
3. Entertaining or sharing knowledge
4. Imagery
5. Bringing emotion to the reader
6. More active than passive
7. Showing more than telling
8. Descriptive
9. Filled with sensory details
10. In fiction--telling a good story
11. Grammatically correct
12. Something publishable

Consider trying to write with these dozen points in the best and simplest way for you, the writer. What that is for you is not going to be the same as it is for me or the many other writers we know.