Write One True Sentence
Sometime it is reassuring to know that great writers such as Ernest Hemingway experienced writers block. Here is how he handled it.
Recently I’ve started reuniting myself with the works of Ernest Hemingway, thanks to the motivation of a couple of Triond members. It’s amazed me how much one can learn about writing by reading the work of great writers from the past.
I started with ‘A Moveable Feast’, Hemingway’s memories of his early days as an unknown writer in Paris in the 1920s.
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How reassuring it was to read, only pages into the book, that Hemingway too knew about writers block. He too worried about not being able to write. Then a sentence he wrote really struck me. In telling himself not to worry, he wrote:
“All you have to do is write one true sentence, and then go on from there.”
It possibly sounds too simple, but it worked for him and it can work for us. I know. I’ve tried it.
A little idea sometimes creeps into my head, making a faint suggestion that can hardly be heard. Sometimes it seems almost absurd that a piece of writing could develop from a tiny thought. In the past I may have discarded it. But, having read Hemingway’s advice, I’ve tried the idea of just getting started, of writing one true sentence.
Recently I came across a flash fiction competition I want to enter. I needed something to write about, something different from anything I’d attempted before. I looked out the window and my husband was watering the garden.
Now, that doesn’t sound like exciting material for a flash fiction story, but I thought of Hemingway, got out my laptop and wrote one true sentence.
And, believe it or not, writing those words was all I needed. With no prior planning my fingers took on a life of their own and tapped a story onto the computer screen. I developed a story with a setting, a character, emotion, conflict and a resolution. It happened very quickly, but it would not have happened at all had I not made a start with the first sentence.
The story draft has potential and I intend working further on it, refining it, polishing it up and bringing it back to the required number of words. I’m not saying it’s a great story, but for me it’s a pleasing one. I’m happy to post it off as a competition entry.
Even this article is a result of Hemingway’s advice. Having made the commitment to write two articles daily whenever I can, I wondered what I could write about this morning. My eyes fell on Hemingway’s book and it occurred to me once more. All I had to do is write one true sentence. And so I did. And this article began writing itself.
So, whenever you’re feeling stuck, be sure to fill your time reading the work of great writers. They can be very inspiring. Then, when you feel ready to write, make a start. Write one true sentence and take it from there. It may be easier for you than you think.
More hints for tackling writers block:
You Can’t Wait for Inspiration
Playing Hide and Seek with Writing Ideas
If you’d like to write for Triond, click this link: Writing for Triond
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January 8th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Great work… Thanks for sharing…
January 8th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Such a great writer. Next time I am blocked I will give that a try. Thank you!
January 8th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Wonderful article. I think I might guess who the writers were that inspired you to return to Papa and see what he might offer in way of encouragement. Thanks for the advice and the post.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Hemingway is one of the authors I passively read, but after reading this I’ll make reading his work more dominant.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Great advice, thanks for sharing.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I used to encounter his name in my college days, but since I am a Math major I ignored his works and focus on Descartes.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Wonderful suggestion. Thank you for sharing.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
A good suggestion.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
thanks for Sharing
January 8th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Good read. U are really educating me a lot her.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
I think that Hemingway was right.
January 8th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Wonderful idea… Thanks for sharing… Hemingway sure inspires. So true. it all starts with one true sentence…
January 8th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
An incredibly good reminder and so true. Thank you once again for sharing your ideas and knowledge.
January 8th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
What a wonderful piece of advise. Next time I get writer’s block I’ll try out this method. Thanks for sharing it.
January 8th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
right now I am in the middle of writing a true story.. more lambs were born! I got pictures and am writing about it.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
When you look out the window and see your husband watering the garden, you remember the advice and start thinking. When you purposely sit and start with one idea and then focus, an idea does emerge. What is needed is faith, focus and determination and perseverance.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
This sounds like very good advice. I think I will give it a try too.
Thanks Val!
I heard a story about one of the great writers, I forget which one, but he was having writer’s block. He went to his typewriter and typed the word “the”. Then he stared at it, did some other things, and kept coming back to stare at the paper. Then he finally typed in “hell with it!” and went to bed. Sometimes we just need a break.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
LOL, like that one Karen.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
I read a few books in the last few days while traveling without an internet connection, it really helps.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Reading is a great past time and as you mentioned it can have sentences that inspire and make our future work more compelling, thanks for sharing.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
“Every great journey starts with a single step.” I guess every writer is on a journey of their own!
January 9th, 2011 at 12:05 am
Its great to read great writers, that really helps. It sorta open a new horizon.
January 9th, 2011 at 12:13 am
What a great idea. I know when I wrote my book I got to a certain point and I didn’t know where to take it. I put it down for a few weeks and then started with one word. Time. The rest of the story took off from there.
January 9th, 2011 at 1:01 am
learning from one of the best
January 9th, 2011 at 3:18 am
A great idea, Val. I am learning such a lot about writing from these recent articles of yours. Keep them coming.
Christine
January 9th, 2011 at 5:49 am
You are so on the money with this article! I do often write just one line on the laptop and I feel so much better that I have started writing. I may even go back and change the first line but I’ve started! great work my friend. LB
January 9th, 2011 at 7:01 am
Seems like a very good advice. Interesting story about your competition entry too. Hope you win something with it.
January 9th, 2011 at 7:51 am
Thanks for the tip Val…I will start to try putting this advice into practice!
January 9th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Well, sit me in the corner and call me a dunce, but, what does it mean: a “true” sentence? One that rings of truth, or one that is a true sentence, or, a sentence that becomes a truth for the writer/character??? You have piqued my interest! Please write me back. Thanks!
January 9th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
You are right, stickinthemud. At first I interpreted Hemingway’s words, from the context they were in, as being reality, a sentence true to something that happened, as in my first sentence above about returning to the works of Hemingway. Then I wondered if he meant a correct sentence. Being the great writer he was, he probably meant both. I leave it to your interpretation.
January 9th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Great article
January 10th, 2011 at 2:13 am
Nice idea val.. will try it out.
January 10th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Second guessing is the worst way to write. I agree with Hemingway advice anytime. Another great article.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Great idea, Val. Thanks for the tips.
January 11th, 2011 at 1:10 am
Thanks val I Have just discovered your body of work I am fascinated your writing style is very readable its like very good coffee of chocolate, you just want more.
January 15th, 2011 at 1:43 am
hey! that idea did work for me too
when i had a writer’s block, i wrote an article cribbing about it which later turned to analysing the cribbing and writing how to cope with it or what to avoid 