Write Like Hemingway: Writing Lessons You Can Learn from the Master

by R. Andrew Wilson

The bad news You have to learn to write. The good news Learning to write just became easier.In this book, writers learn to write like they were born that way from one of America’s greatest literary geniuses—Ernest Hemingway. Noted writing teacher Dr. R. Andrew Wilson calls writers to an adventure in writing Hemingway himself would love. Along the way they discover what really makes him a Great Writer, and how they can apply those lessons in voice, character, setting, and more to enhance their own writing. Whether agonizing over style, perfecting prose, or puzzling out plot, student writers find the answers they need to write their own masterworks. They’ll also benefit from Papa’s advice to beginning writers, comments on the work of other great authors, and daily writing habits. In this enlightening and informative book, writers find the mentor they need to master the art of writing.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, How To

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mitchlav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Write Like Hemingway is a fine analysis of Hemingway’s work and an entertaining read. If you want to read about what Hemingway said about writing, I suggest the book, Ernest Hemingway on Writing, edited by Larry W. Phillips. If you really want to learn to write like Hemingway, read Hemingway.

[Linda Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard is always telling me that I need to get on a schedule like Hemingway. Get up early, write, go fishing and then drink all night. The drinking part is now out, and drinking anything liquid after 6 pm is also out of the question ever since I passed the big 5- 0. Hemingway would pop out of bed every morning and do it all over again. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature with that kind of discipline. How did Richard, who never reads a book, know this about Hemingway? I have no clue, but according to this book, he's right. That's exactly what Hemingway did every day.

So in a moment of weakness, I had to buy this book when I spotted it in the bookstore. I'm glad I did. I'm not a big Hemingway fan as a reader, but he is certainly a master of the craft. The author explains in great detail how Hemingway as a minimalist pared down his sentences to the essentials. He could brilliantly set the scene and create strong, real characters within it. He was an expert at dialogue, often foregoing the tags that the rest of us cling to in our storytelling.

As a writer, this book is pure gold. I even got out the highlighter and noted passages that I want to remember when I'm working on my own pieces. And trust me, marking up a book goes against everything I know and feel when it comes to a book. Books need to be cherished and left in a pure and pristine condition by one reader for the next. Bent corners annoy me as do notes in the margin. Write Like Hemingway however, compelled me to go against the grain. It is a reference book I will treasure all of my writing life. I learned so much and I know there is so much more for me inside this gem of a book.

It's a five! It's a keeper! It's a treasure!

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Write Like Hemingway, R. Andrew Wilson dissects Hemingway to identify the aspects of his writing that might provide a lesson for the rest of us. In short: Hemingway is a minimalist, making sentences and story descriptions short and simple, keeping adjectives and adverbs under tight control, using dialog as a major vehicle for characterization and plot, and generally providing his reader with a clear and direct path through a story. There are a lot of extended examples throughout the text, using Hemingway’s novels and short stories, but many of these I have not read so did not get as much from them as I probably should have. Nonetheless, it’s a well written, informative book, and I think I’ll follow up by reading a few more Hemingway stories.

[Erica Cosminsky Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Hemingway and I was lokking forward to this book. This book does have a lot of good information. It's also difficult, repeatative and textbookish at points. It took me ages to read. Probably best to spot read.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

i did not find anything that was earth shatteringly new for me in this book. it is a good breakdown of heminway's style with lots of textual examples. mostly reiteration from what i've discovered in his reading, but good things to keep in mind going forward.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for any inspiring writer. Using examples from Hemingway’s writings and life, Wilson gives lessons that anyone can easily follow. The excercise son this book are thought provoking and can benefit any author looking to streamline their writing like Hemingway.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Write Like Hemingway is another of those entry level writing books, but this time about a style of writing that may have had its day. This is not to suggest Hemingway's books and style are not compelling, but they were unique to him. If a neophyte writer wishes to be a Hemingway clone then follow the advice in this book. However, writers should be seeking their own voice and not that of Hemingway or Charles Bukowski or any other writer deeply determined by their style.

Recommended for writers who wish to be a Hemingway clone; others may wish to steer clear of it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

[Michael Herrman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent examination of Hemingway's approach, but the title is pretty bloody cynical.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured it and keeping it for reference.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exercises are very beneficial.