Everyone says the greatest writers are:
Stephen King, Henry David Thoreau, or Virginia Woolf.
But this genius is head and shoulders above them all.
Here’s the one secret technique Ernest Hemingway used to become a legendary writer:
Stephen King, Henry David Thoreau, or Virginia Woolf.
But this genius is head and shoulders above them all.
Here’s the one secret technique Ernest Hemingway used to become a legendary writer:
Imagine an iceberg floating in the ocean.
Only about 1/8 is visible above the waterline.
This was Hemingway's philosophy for great writing.
Here’s how he applied it to his work:
Only about 1/8 is visible above the waterline.
This was Hemingway's philosophy for great writing.
Here’s how he applied it to his work:
Earlier in his life, as a young journalist, Hemingway learned to pack maximum meaning into minimal words.
Hemingway was also fascinated by the Cubism art movement pioneered by Picasso in the early 1900s.
This new style helped inform his writing process:
Hemingway was also fascinated by the Cubism art movement pioneered by Picasso in the early 1900s.
This new style helped inform his writing process:
Cubism focused on using fractured pieces to represent subjects in an abstract manner.
• Minimalism
• Multiple angles
• Limited color palette (focus on form, not color)
Like Hemingway's Iceberg theory, Cubism creates a canvas for the viewer's imagination.
• Minimalism
• Multiple angles
• Limited color palette (focus on form, not color)
Like Hemingway's Iceberg theory, Cubism creates a canvas for the viewer's imagination.
The Iceberg Theory at its core is:
"Show, don't tell."
Let readers infer the meaning behind the scene and character by giving as little information as possible.
As the story progresses, predictability reduces the need for explanations.
"Show, don't tell."
Let readers infer the meaning behind the scene and character by giving as little information as possible.
As the story progresses, predictability reduces the need for explanations.
Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is a masterclass in the Iceberg Theory.
It is an entire conversation about an impending abortion without the word ever being mentioned.
The characters' tension and despair bubble up from beneath the surface of mundane dialogue.
Read this:
It is an entire conversation about an impending abortion without the word ever being mentioned.
The characters' tension and despair bubble up from beneath the surface of mundane dialogue.
Read this:
In many ways, the Iceberg Theory mirrored Hemingway's own struggles.
As a WWI veteran, he grappled with trauma he could not openly discuss.
Like an iceberg, a lot of this was hidden from view.
So, what can modern writers learn from the Iceberg Theory?
As a WWI veteran, he grappled with trauma he could not openly discuss.
Like an iceberg, a lot of this was hidden from view.
So, what can modern writers learn from the Iceberg Theory?
1. Avoid excessive backstory.
Hint at characters' pasts through brief flashbacks or dialogue.
2. Use sensory details sparingly.
A few vivid descriptions can set the scene.
3. Trim the fat.
Cut any word, sentence, or scene that doesn't serve the story.
Hint at characters' pasts through brief flashbacks or dialogue.
2. Use sensory details sparingly.
A few vivid descriptions can set the scene.
3. Trim the fat.
Cut any word, sentence, or scene that doesn't serve the story.
For example, Hemingway once said his best work was a story he wrote in just 6 words:
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
It's the ultimate example of the Iceberg Theory in action.
Great writing is concise, to the point, and with no wasted words.
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
It's the ultimate example of the Iceberg Theory in action.
Great writing is concise, to the point, and with no wasted words.
That's it!
I love studying the art of writing.
But the fastest way to monetize as a writer is to become a Premium Ghostwriter.
It's how I went from a broke freelancer to $20k/month in 60 days.
Here are the 5 steps to become a Premium Ghostwriter: x.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com
I love studying the art of writing.
But the fastest way to monetize as a writer is to become a Premium Ghostwriter.
It's how I went from a broke freelancer to $20k/month in 60 days.
Here are the 5 steps to become a Premium Ghostwriter: x.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com
If you enjoyed this:
1. Follow me @Nicolascole77 for more threads on digital writing, self-publishing, and ghostwriting.
2. Hop back to the top post and share it with your audience.
Here's the link:
x.com
1. Follow me @Nicolascole77 for more threads on digital writing, self-publishing, and ghostwriting.
2. Hop back to the top post and share it with your audience.
Here's the link:
x.com
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