Ernest Hemingway stands as one of the most influential authors in history. His works, like For Whom the Bells Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea, continue to inspire writers today. Winning a Nobel Prize, Hemingway's style is legendary—yet behind his success lies a simple, powerful method anyone can learn. By understanding his core technique, you can sharpen your storytelling skills and craft authentic, memorable stories. Let’s explore Hemingway’s three-step writing exercise and style principles that made him a master.
The Power of Writing True Sentences: Capturing Reality with Honesty
What Is a True Sentence?
Hemingway believed that good books hinge on genuine, truthful sentences. These are sentences that ring true—even more than real life, because they capture emotions perfectly. When you read them, you feel as if you were experiencing the moment yourself, and it stays with you long after.
How to Find and Write True Sentences
Start by observing life closely. When something triggers a strong feeling—joy, sadness, fear—write it down. Focus on the details that made you feel that way. Be clear enough that others see, hear, and feel it too.
Practicing this means journaling your moments, describing what you saw and heard, how it made you feel. For example, Hemingway described the scars on Santiago’s hands—not to tell us directly about his age, but to reveal his struggles. Simple details can tell a bigger story.
Examples from Hemingway’s Work
In The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway shows Santiago's resilience through tiny details: his weathered hands, his stubborn eyes. In Hills Like White Elephants, minimal dialogue hints at a complex story without explicitly saying what it’s about, making the reader feel the tension.
Developing Empathy and Authenticity in Characters
Observe People Deeply
Good characters come from keen observation. Don't just glance at someone and move on. Stop and notice how they walk, talk, or react. Listen carefully to conversations, even if you’re not involved. What’s said? What’s left unsaid? These nuances help build real characters.
Use Personal Experience
Hemingway often drew on his own life—his time as a soldier, a journalist, a traveler—to make his characters believable. Think about your experiences. What conflicts, loves, or fears have marked your life? Use these to build characters that resonate.
Conflict From Real Emotions
People face struggles that come from within—fear, pride, duty, love. Hemingway believed real conflict flows from genuine feelings, not just external events. Robert in For Whom the Bells Tolls wrestles with inner doubts as much as physical dangers. This layered conflict makes characters believable and complex.
The Iceberg Theory: Show, Don’t Tell
The Concept of Omitting
Hemingway’s famous “Iceberg Theory” suggests that most of a story’s meaning should be underneath the surface. What you see on the page is just a small part. The deeper truths—the emotions, motives—are left implied.
Putting It Into Practice
Instead of explaining everything, hint at it. Use dialogue and description to let readers infer what’s happening inside. In Hills Like White Elephants, Hemingway never directly mentions abortion. But the subtext and pauses tell us all we need to know.
Why is This Effective?
Readers love to fill in the gaps. When stories are left open for interpretation, they engage more deeply. The challenge is crafting scenes that hint at something bigger without over-explaining.
Keeping Your Story Alive: Write with Momentum
Finish Each Session Strong
Hemingway advised writers to stop when they’re still excited. Don’t wait until you’re exhausted or at a dead-end. Leave your story when you still know where it’s heading. This makes it easier to pick up next time and keeps your enthusiasm high.
Practical Ways to Maintain Momentum
- Stop mid-scene, especially during a tense or revealing moment.
- Leave some details unresolved, creating curiosity.
- Think of your writing as leaving clues for yourself to find later.
Build a Daily Habit
Writing early in the morning, when the mind is fresh, works well. Hemingway wrote just after dawn, when the world was quiet. Keep track of your progress with simple tools like a word count or a journal. And set up a workspace that inspires you—Hemingway used a standup desk near his bed to stay energized.
Additional Tips from Hemingway
Work Outside the Desk
Hemingway didn’t always write at a traditional desk. He believed moving around or working standing up kept him focused. Try changing your environment—walk, sit outside, or work in different spots.
Track Your Progress
Keeping a log of your daily word count helped Hemingway stay accountable. It’s a simple reminder that steady, consistent effort leads to progress.
Make Routine a Habit
Writers flourish with regular routines. Even if you don’t aim for a huge daily quota, writing a little each day keeps your skills sharp and your story flowing.
Conclusion
Mastering Hemingway’s writing secrets isn’t about copying him—it's about understanding his principles. Write honest, true sentences; develop empathy for your characters; use show rather than tell; and keep your story moving by ending each session on a good note. Observe the world, draw from your own life, and build conflict from real emotions.
Remember, writing is a craft—no one becomes a master overnight. Keep practicing, stay disciplined, and embrace the journey. By doing so, you might just find your own voice—clear, honest, and powerful—just like Hemingway’s.
Start today: observe, write, and leave those breadcrumbs for tomorrow. Your story is waiting to be told.
