Scan barcode
hollasan's review against another edition
an honest, swell guy. probably should have saved this until after I read more of his books.
Fun Fact: He writes standing up! :)
Fun Fact: He writes standing up! :)
surabhi_11's review against another edition
3.0
Not a great read but not bad either. (It made me create a new Goodread shelf - 'creditable'). One may be belied by the title that the book might provide profound insights on how the featured author perceived life and his work. The book is a short compilation of sporadic conversations and their interpretations by the respective interviewers.
The 'not-so-bad' part of the book is that it introduced the eminent author as a human being (who is flawed) and not as a paragon in his profession. Thus, making these conversations both comforting and inspiring - giving the aspiring writers a hope that there is a way to become a better version of ourselves. If Hemingway's persona has to be expounded in one line, it has to be this - "All I ask from life is to write, hunt, fish, and be obscure."
Few takeaways from the book for the aspiring writers from the life of Hemingway as a writer are given below. Most of the tips are commonly observed in the lives of all great artists, this list might serve as a positive reinforcement.
1) Discipline over Inspiration: Hemingway was a man of habit. He used to log his progress (i.e number of words) every day in a big chart on the wall in his writing area. He believed writing as an exercise and thus, will help one's skillset become stronger (or better) when practiced regularly. He didn't wait for the inspiration in abstract to write, instead, he had specific hours designated each day for writing.
2) He believed that "writing is a private lonely occupation with no need for witnesses until the final work is done". He thus suggested that critics should focus on dead writers, from whom the living writers learn the most. This was also one of the reasons why he didn't have a strong liking for interviews.
3) Review. Edit. Rewrite. Repeat. - elements of excellence. Hemingway was very meticulous while drafting his final output. Some examples highlighting his patience and persistence to write good include - rewriting the last page of Farewell to Arms, thirty-nine times, making a list of potential titles for a finished book (the list may include as many as hundred titles), no interruption from outsiders when he is focused on finishing a draft, etc.
4) Good writers are good and dedicated readers. "I am always reading books - as many as there are. I ration myself on them so that I will always be in supply."
5) "Trying to write something of permanent value is a full-time job even though only a few hours a day are spent on the actual writing."
6) "A writer, if he is any good, doesn't describe. He invents or makes out of knowledge personal and impersonal and sometimes he seems to have unexplained knowledge .."
7) "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof, shit detector. That is the writer's radar and all great writers have had it. If you are going to write, you have to find out what's bad for you. Part of that you learn fast, and then you learn what's good for you."
8) "The body and mind are closely coordinated. Fattening of the body can lead to fattening of the mind."
9) Talk less, listen more.
10) "Never look for excitement - let excitement come to you" - the formula suggested by him in response to 'how to get the most out of life?'
The 'not-so-bad' part of the book is that it introduced the eminent author as a human being (who is flawed) and not as a paragon in his profession. Thus, making these conversations both comforting and inspiring - giving the aspiring writers a hope that there is a way to become a better version of ourselves. If Hemingway's persona has to be expounded in one line, it has to be this - "All I ask from life is to write, hunt, fish, and be obscure."
Few takeaways from the book for the aspiring writers from the life of Hemingway as a writer are given below. Most of the tips are commonly observed in the lives of all great artists, this list might serve as a positive reinforcement.
1) Discipline over Inspiration: Hemingway was a man of habit. He used to log his progress (i.e number of words) every day in a big chart on the wall in his writing area. He believed writing as an exercise and thus, will help one's skillset become stronger (or better) when practiced regularly. He didn't wait for the inspiration in abstract to write, instead, he had specific hours designated each day for writing.
2) He believed that "writing is a private lonely occupation with no need for witnesses until the final work is done". He thus suggested that critics should focus on dead writers, from whom the living writers learn the most. This was also one of the reasons why he didn't have a strong liking for interviews.
3) Review. Edit. Rewrite. Repeat. - elements of excellence. Hemingway was very meticulous while drafting his final output. Some examples highlighting his patience and persistence to write good include - rewriting the last page of Farewell to Arms, thirty-nine times, making a list of potential titles for a finished book (the list may include as many as hundred titles), no interruption from outsiders when he is focused on finishing a draft, etc.
4) Good writers are good and dedicated readers. "I am always reading books - as many as there are. I ration myself on them so that I will always be in supply."
5) "Trying to write something of permanent value is a full-time job even though only a few hours a day are spent on the actual writing."
6) "A writer, if he is any good, doesn't describe. He invents or makes out of knowledge personal and impersonal and sometimes he seems to have unexplained knowledge .."
7) "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof, shit detector. That is the writer's radar and all great writers have had it. If you are going to write, you have to find out what's bad for you. Part of that you learn fast, and then you learn what's good for you."
8) "The body and mind are closely coordinated. Fattening of the body can lead to fattening of the mind."
9) Talk less, listen more.
10) "Never look for excitement - let excitement come to you" - the formula suggested by him in response to 'how to get the most out of life?'
mveldeivendran's review against another edition
4.0
More I came to know him, the more I'm in love with his words and simplicity. He wasn't a Philosopher, just a pretty good writer which he loved to do all his lifetime. The four Precious interviews gave me an ample amount of his personal life and his feelings. He was such a nice guy. I wish he were alive now.
meglynw's review
4.0
These interviews were so interesting! I loved reading about Hemingway's attitude and surroundings during his final years, and the way Mary mother henned him.
More...