Yes, fine — so maybe Uncle Ernest did not have
all the answers to break writer's block, but he did have some very interesting ways to look at the art of writing.
Hemingway is one of the most memorable writers of all time because he
understood his craft, kept his
motivation steady throughout his career and
never lost his
imagination.
Now that's what I call an artist!
Let
media update’s Jana van der Westhuizen take you on a stroll through the indelible work of Ernest Hemingway.
Attention, Uncle Ernest is ready to spark your imagination:Penn State's Lisa Duchene sums up the frustration of writer's block so well when she writes:
Writer Ernest Hemingway dodged bullets as a war correspondent, fought bulls in Spain and hunted big game in Africa. But when asked to name the scariest thing he ever encountered, he said, 'A blank sheet of paper'.
How many times have you opened your laptop to stare at the blank page before you? (
sorry Uncle Ernest, we have technology now.)
Well, you are not alone. The anxiety of a blank page is the best starting point to write your masterpiece because this is where you begin to paint a picture for your readers. How you do it is up to you.
So, go tackle that blank piece of paper!
Still, starting the first sentence is very important, because that determines the quality of your next move. Hemingway states:
All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.
Okay, so what happens when you type that first sentence and the words begin to pour out? Well, according to Uncle Ernest:
I always worked until I had something done and I always stopped when I knew what was going to happen next. That way I could be sure of going on the next day …
Don't get over-excited with your work, but rather step away and look at it with a fresh eye …
good one Uncle Ernest!
If we manage to have the courage to
just write, how will we know what we need to write about? Well:
In order to write about life, first you must live it.
And when you live, you will be hurt — but not to
worry, because the hurt is the best beginning to a true and honest story:
Write hard and clear about what hurts.
Basically, this is an experienced man telling you that if you have passion, you
can write. However, you have to
believe in yourself and your skills — but most importantly in the art of writing and what it becomes when treated with grace and artistry.
So, how do you beat writer's block and write that perfect story?
All my life, I've looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time.
Always fall in love with your writing and the art of creating something beautiful with words.
As a writer, where do you get most of your inspiration from? Share your thoughts about it in the comments section.Want to stay informed on what is happening in the industry?
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*Image courtesy of Writers Write