Writing Tip: Write Like Hemingway
Use these tips to develop a concise yet vigorous writing style
Not one of my teachers introduced me to Hemingway, not in high school or at university. I remember loving William Golden, looking forward to class discussions on Orwell's essays and novels, and learning a lot from Martin Luther King's writings. Hemingway’s name remained in the air somehow, an answer on a quiz show, an inspiration for a film, or a reference in writerly discussions.
I began studying writing styles recently. A name that is almost always mentioned on this topic is Hemingway’s.
Laset month I read The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. My love for flowery, poetic prose and wordplay was challenged as I felt stirred by sparse, descriptive language. I was reminded of the work of Shirley Jackson, who can draw a reader into the center of the story without smoke and mirrors.
So, how did he do it?
Who Was Earnest Hemingway
Hemingway was born in Illinois in 1899. He began his writing career as a reporter, which may explain his direct and economical style. He worked as a novelist, short story writer, and journalist. Two of his seven novels are American classics: A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway is also known…
