Being Ernest About Writing

Ernest Hemingway - writing up a storm just before going fishing.

Now let me reveal to you perhaps the most carefully guarded post-war information since Lennon met McCartney - how to write better.

It always begins with an idea. As sure as Ernest Hemingway was a top notch writer, you can get your message across better as soon as you read a little of the top notch writing of the master himself.

It turns out that as a journalist, the young Ernest, knocked out these pearls of wisdom just before he went fishing. While it’s not clear if he said, ‘We got no troubles, life is in the bubbles.’ And while that might have been someone else, here are Hemingway’s tips for writing a good yarn.

1. Simple and clear writing is key.

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.

Good journalism or for that matter good public relations needs a simple, clear message.

2. Hang on every word around you.

"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen."

Listening to the audience, listening to the interviewee, listening to the writing - it’s all key to good storytelling. Listening is essential to delivering your message correctly.

3. There is no limit for perfection.

"I rewrote the ending to 'Farewell to Arms,' the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied."

This is almost too simple. You can never rewrite or write too much. Perfection is found in practice.

4. Make people believe that writing is your passion.

"It's none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way."

Now this one’s a bit of a trick. If your business is being a plumber or an accountant or Insurance Agent then there’s no point in pretending any longer. There is no writer inside you, so hand the task over to someone like Coffee Creative. They’ve got this for you and you can just pretend it’s yours. Thus, you’re keeping old mate Ernie happy and letting them think you were born with the ability to turn a useful phrase.

5. Write when you’re in the mood to do it.

"You shouldn’t write if you can’t write."

This is a tough call. The key here is the need for time and inspiration. Once again if you are an insurance salesman - stop reading now. Your entire time should be taken up honouring our two most important economic precepts greed and the fear of not having enough greed. So stick to it. Let someone like Coffee Creative find the time, recognise your inspiring concepts and put them into words.

Now old Ernest Hemingway was quit earnest about his writing and there’s the rub. While you might find the right angle or way to focus your feature or advertising copy or would-be journalism saying it in a professional, new way that takes time, effort and dedication. It’s certainly not a DIY task. That’s unless you are already an award winning, best-selling writer - than go away and get on with it. Otherwise, hire someone like Coffee Creative.