Having that daily ritual of time use is really valuable as it helps you click into writing mode or any kind of activity automatically. Having the body sit you down at the desk or the musical instrument or the easel overcomes that initial resistance/fear that you might have in tackling the task at hand. Also, Hemingway's stopping with some idea of where his story goes next clicks in the process of musing about that idea overnight. It gives him time to think deeply about that next section of the story.
Hi Sue! I was impressed by exactly the same parts as you. I too keep that morning ritual, I do like him, however, I had never thought of the idea of leaving the story just at the climax to come back the next day. That idea must be very powerful for writing fiction. He was a genius, no doubt about it.
Yes, that would be risky to leave it at the climax, but then again, maybe that's such a strong scene that it won't be lost. At my age, well, I get lost in the middle of a sentence sometimes. Many a midnight brilliance has leaked out of my brain by morning.
Hi Sue! In the end they are different techniques that can inspire us and we can try, but just because they worked for Hemingway doesn't mean they will work for us. It's good to know them because then we think of options we hadn't imagined, but they may not be for everyone.
Great post thank you!
Thanks, David! :)
Having that daily ritual of time use is really valuable as it helps you click into writing mode or any kind of activity automatically. Having the body sit you down at the desk or the musical instrument or the easel overcomes that initial resistance/fear that you might have in tackling the task at hand. Also, Hemingway's stopping with some idea of where his story goes next clicks in the process of musing about that idea overnight. It gives him time to think deeply about that next section of the story.
Hi Sue! I was impressed by exactly the same parts as you. I too keep that morning ritual, I do like him, however, I had never thought of the idea of leaving the story just at the climax to come back the next day. That idea must be very powerful for writing fiction. He was a genius, no doubt about it.
Yes, that would be risky to leave it at the climax, but then again, maybe that's such a strong scene that it won't be lost. At my age, well, I get lost in the middle of a sentence sometimes. Many a midnight brilliance has leaked out of my brain by morning.
Hi Sue! In the end they are different techniques that can inspire us and we can try, but just because they worked for Hemingway doesn't mean they will work for us. It's good to know them because then we think of options we hadn't imagined, but they may not be for everyone.