Ernest Hemingway on Writing

by Larry W. Phillips (Editor)

An assemblage of reflections on the nature of writing and the writer from one the greatest American writers of the 20th century.

Throughout Hemingway’s career as a writer, he maintained that it was bad luck to talk about writing - that it takes off “whatever butterflies have on their wings and the arrangement of hawk’s feathers if you show it or talk about it”.

Despite this belief, by the end of his life he had done just what he intended not to do. In his novels and stories, in letters to editors, friends, fellow artists, and critics, in interviews and in commissioned articles on the subject, Hemingway wrote often about writing. And he wrote as well and as incisively about the subject as any writer who ever lived....

This book contains Hemingway’s reflections on the nature of the writer and on elements of the writer’s life, including specific and helpful advice to writers on the craft of writing, work habits, and discipline. The Hemingway personality comes through in general wisdom, wit, humor, and insight, and in his insistence on the integrity of the writer and of the profession itself. (From the Preface by Larry W. Phillips)

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

Audiobook

Published December 17, 2019

Reviews

[Ayz · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book on writing as far as i’m concerned.

he got it.

[Jason Meuschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have very mixed emotions about this book. As advertised, this is a collection of snippets from letters written by Hemingway to others regarding his thoughts on writing. This is done because he didn’t believe in speaking about writing publicly and one letter specifically requests none of his letters be released to the public ever.
That said, his views are fascinating, insightful, and at times pure fun.

[Henry Stradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always very interesting to see what writers are thinking about when they write.

[Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book which puts Hemingway words in such an order to make coherent sense of his writing process. The only chapter that dragged was the series of authors he found to be great or interesting. Otherwise it is a book of advice I intend to follow if I ever get to writing a book.

I liked it so much that after I finished the audio book, I bought the physical copy.

[Anne Earney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collections of snippets about writing, writers and the writing life. Especially interesting to me were the bits of his letters to F. Scott Fitzgerald, in which Hemingway comes across as the kind of writing mentor anyone might want, but the unseen flip side, Fitzgerald's life falling apart, is always present, making those parts interesting to read for what's not there. Also interesting is Hemingway's confidence that he can truly finish a piece of fiction and be certain that not another word can be cut without negatively impacting the meaning. I mean, that's a really impressive level of confidence. Overall, Hemingway comes across as insightful, charming and funny. I can see his appeal, and also how he might have been insufferable.

[Molsa Roja(s) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, as a collection of fragments on writing from Hemingway I can't say it's a bad piece of work; what truly is bad, terrible, are Hemingway's thoughts on writing and being a writer. Leaving aside the fact that he cannot stop using violent metaphors every time he opens his mouth —war, boxeo, rodeos, fishing—, as you turn the pages it becomes clear that he certainly had a method, and that worked for him, but that he had absolutely no interest whatsoever on exploring Literature as a soul singing, as quite a magical or mystical experience as Woolf, Joyce and many others would. And so, his writing appears to be indeed correct, but never lyrical or truly touching. He had, to put it plainly, his head and his whole soul up his ass.

[Bon Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really super surprising insights here. Like, stop writing while the going is good (!!) So that you proceed to work on it internally, while it's hunting you, I guess, like unfinished business. Well that's something to experiment with, especially considering some other authorities in the field I respect very much recommend exact opposite. Both schools of thought make perfect sense on the surface so I would presume both of these methods can give results, maybe in different occasions, maybe for different people. Really interesting.

[Christina Laflamme · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an aspiring writer with no training or much experience, I seek out the advice and guidance I need through books like this. (I have a similar book from Bukowski.) It's helpful. It's like a little "Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul." It's more refreshing than instructional and it's always interesting and helpful to catch a glimpse into the mind of the author rather than just read his or her works. Worth the quick read that it is.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A selection of short snippets (1-4 sentences) by Hemingway on the topic of writing, divided into a few broad categories by chapter ("other writers", "work habits" etc.). Good, but too brief to be satisfying. Does make me want to read Green Hills of Africa, from which a lot of the more interesting parts are taken. (Incidentally, love visiting Hemingway's house in Key West; would love to visit the one in Cuba someday. Many cats!)

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hemingway himself would have never spoken about or written a book about writing. However, this collection of varied commentary, most through correspondence does give insight into his thoughts about it.

A quick read, and love for Hemingway and writing will keep it on my reference shelf for the occasional inspiration.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neatly tied band of informative nuggets for a writer—also, a keen insight into Hemingway’s views on the subject matter. I wish there were more context to each quote, which was pulled from his letters and interviews, instead of delivering a simple, dry quote. That said, the quotes are Hemingway, with all the curt and swagger one would expect from him.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think writers will find this helpful and a bit eye-opening. It's full of quotes and interviews on different topics related to writing and I'd recommend reading at a slower pace here and there to let it sync in rather than reading like a novel end to end, especially if you are writing something.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be an excellent companion for any writer.
Clear, terse; it makes sense and is reassuring.
Some surprises, some humor.
Very personal.
I have a paperback copy from my local library and I had to add clear tape to it in many places as others have done over the years.
A keeper.

[Todd Krohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit disjointed in terms of how the selected quotes are arranged, but nonetheless some fascinating insights regarding a topic he seems to have truly hated: the psychoanalysis of writing and the writer, lol.

[Henry Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a collection of letters he wrote to other people about writing, and it is an interesting read, but, without any unifying theme, it's little more than that.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

[Chauntel Seminerio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight to the point, of course it's Hemingway. Handy little book for inspiration

[Joaquin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

An author's musings on writing, extracted from ad hoc pieces, is not the same thing as a book about writing.

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for the sentence: "The stories arent whoreing, they're just bad judgement."
and the phrase: Jeezoo Chrise

[Bindu Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found some tips useful.

[Gertrude Båth]

Nice

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive and, well, clearly written. The decision to add different examples to illustrate the same point can seem unnecessary but never turns out tedious.

[David Heard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially just a collection of excerpts from his life's work that relate to the process of writing, the life of a writer, and what that means.
It's wonderfully insightful stuff.

[Rebekka Ragusa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some good bits of treasure in this one!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hemingway seems like a good source to get writing advice from.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little sentences here and there, felt like he was speaking to me!!! Will read it from time to time. ❤️

[apw 🌀🌟🐛 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a bunch of quotes ?

[Sharon Michele Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernest Hemingway on Writing is a sharp, revealing glimpse into the mind of a literary giant. His advice is blunt and timeless.

[Beyza · Rating 2 out of 5]

He had some really good insights and an admirable discipline but man, was he arrogant. He has a made-up ideal that all writing should fit his criteria, otherwise they are "bad writers and only produce junk". He criticizes great authors like Thomas Mann, Victor Hugo and Dostoyevsky and talks about easily beating other writers. His vulgar language and attitude made me angry.