The Top 3 Best Pieces of Advice I Took from Writers on Writing
I always thought there was something special about image of ancient Roman teaching. The famous picture of a dozen-or-so robed Roman men making dramatic hand motions while declaring their philosophies. And although we have made quite a lot of progress from the days of vestal virgins and a life expectancy of 25, I still think there’s something neat about the image.
In a similar way, we look towards the “greats” to offer us advice on everything, from how to find balance in our lives to how to best manage our finances. However, “great” is often defined dramatically different from each individual to the next, and often these treasured tidbits come from uncommon sources. These reflections are a welcome pat on the back, giving us a wink and a nod, almost saying, “It’s okay, kid, you’re not the first one.”
Some of the best advice I received about writing was unspoken, coming to me indirectly from my favorite writers. Continue reading to discover some of the best insights I gained from great writers.
Ernest Hemingway | Hemingway on Writing
If you read Hemingway in school, you either loved or hated him. His writing, though perhaps unintentional, has an incredible diametric effect on people. His blunt sentences and distain for extraneous description makes writers and literature nuts either fall at his feet or want to punch through a wall.
Despite this, one cannot overlook the insight he gave us on writing. In a field often so elusive and intangible, Hemingway seemed to whip into line writing itself. He commanded his work, and gives to us some of the very best in writing advice.
“In any art you’re allowed to steal anything if you can make it better.”
Ann Patchett | This is the Story of a Happy Marriage
In her kind-of memoir, Ann Patchett explores the realities of being a writer by leading the reader through her own understanding of life. Through the beautiful portrait of her life, Patchett weaves in poetic truths about creativity and hard work, lessons that extend far beyond the written word. She discusses the difficulties that come with choosing an artistic path and how to manage your biggest critic: yourself. In an illuminating mediation on what it means to be a person struggling to find your place, Patchett’s book feels both like a warm cup of tea and a punch to the gut.
“The journey from the head to hand is perilous and lined with bodies. It is the road on which nearly everyone who wants to write — and many of the people who do write — get lost… Only a few of us are going to be willing to break our own hearts by trading in the living beauty of imagination for the stark disappointment of words.”
John Steinbeck | Of Mice and Men
In the simplicity of his novels, readers find many small truths basking in the narrative wonderland of Steinbeck. In his classic novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck imparts fundamental truths about creativity and the meaning of life. He connects writing to the greater picture of humanity, personifying the industry as active and emotional, rather than simply a career choice.
In his novels, letters and journal entries, Steinbeck encourages a better understanding of our fellow humans, and argues that through this understanding, we will emerge both as better writers and people.
“In every bit of honest writing in the world… there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. There are shorter means, many of them. There is writing promoting social change, writing punishing injustice, writing in celebration of heroism, but always that base theme. Try to understand each other.”
Inspired and looking for more? Here’s some more by other authors I have been reading:
A nod towards my favorite poet who passed away this year, Mary Oliver on writing
Jack Kerouac has 30 tips about writing as ambiguous and enchanting as his own prose
Have you read the book Educated by Tara Westover? The best writer I have read this year and her advice on writing