Look at this legendary writer.
The US banned some of his books from publication for 30 years.
But in 1930, Henry Miller made a list of 11 Commandments that are a must-read for any aspiring writer.
Here's the breakdown:🧵 x.com
The US banned some of his books from publication for 30 years.
But in 1930, Henry Miller made a list of 11 Commandments that are a must-read for any aspiring writer.
Here's the breakdown:🧵 x.com
First, some context.
Miller's autobiographical novel, The Tropic of Cancer, was banned in the US soon after it was published in 1934.
Here's what Miller had to say about his book (and how he chose the title): x.com
Miller's autobiographical novel, The Tropic of Cancer, was banned in the US soon after it was published in 1934.
Here's what Miller had to say about his book (and how he chose the title): x.com
Alright, onto his writing advice.
These 11 commandments were part of Henry's personal "Program."
They were rules for himself that he followed day in and day out.
Let's dive in: x.com
These 11 commandments were part of Henry's personal "Program."
They were rules for himself that he followed day in and day out.
Let's dive in: x.com
1. Work on one thing at a time until finished
Henry's biggest superpower: focus.
He realized that attention is a power law.
If you give something 100% of your attention (versus giving it 90%) - it's not 10% better.
It's 10 times better.
So his first commandment: focus.
Henry's biggest superpower: focus.
He realized that attention is a power law.
If you give something 100% of your attention (versus giving it 90%) - it's not 10% better.
It's 10 times better.
So his first commandment: focus.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to "Black Spring."
At the time of writing these rules, Henry was hard at work on his book "Black Spring."
So this was a two-fold reminder:
• Stop chasing shiny objects
• Edit your work with subtraction, not addition
At the time of writing these rules, Henry was hard at work on his book "Black Spring."
So this was a two-fold reminder:
• Stop chasing shiny objects
• Edit your work with subtraction, not addition
3. Don't be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly, on what is in hand.
Calmly, joyously, recklessly - it's worth rereading those words.
You can *feel* what it's like to work in a state like that just from reading them.
And again - "on what is in hand" - emphasis on focus.
Calmly, joyously, recklessly - it's worth rereading those words.
You can *feel* what it's like to work in a state like that just from reading them.
And again - "on what is in hand" - emphasis on focus.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
The crux of Henry's Program was two-fold:
• Consistency
• Constraint
He wrote every day - but not all day.
Quite similar to the legendary Eugene Schwartz:
x.com
The crux of Henry's Program was two-fold:
• Consistency
• Constraint
He wrote every day - but not all day.
Quite similar to the legendary Eugene Schwartz:
x.com
5. When you can't create, then you can work.
To Henry, "creating" and "working" were two separate things.
In today's age, these are the meetings, tasks, emails, and other things that gnaw at our precious attention.
So Henry did those things only when he could no longer create.
To Henry, "creating" and "working" were two separate things.
In today's age, these are the meetings, tasks, emails, and other things that gnaw at our precious attention.
So Henry did those things only when he could no longer create.
6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
"Cementing" means to finish something. To move the needle forward. To make tangible progress.
"Fertilizing" is planning, "researching" and preparing, which are really procrastinating.
More cement, less fertilizer.
"Cementing" means to finish something. To move the needle forward. To make tangible progress.
"Fertilizing" is planning, "researching" and preparing, which are really procrastinating.
More cement, less fertilizer.
7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
As much as Henry enjoyed the creative writing process, he knew one thing:
The best writing is not a result. It's a byproduct of a live well-lived.
So he focused on the system, like Elon: x.com
As much as Henry enjoyed the creative writing process, he knew one thing:
The best writing is not a result. It's a byproduct of a live well-lived.
So he focused on the system, like Elon: x.com
8. Don't be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
If you don't know what a draught-horse is, think of it like a mule.
It pulls along slovenly. Day in, day out, no emotion, no change, no zest!
So Henry had to remind himself: work every day but enjoy the journey as well.
If you don't know what a draught-horse is, think of it like a mule.
It pulls along slovenly. Day in, day out, no emotion, no change, no zest!
So Henry had to remind himself: work every day but enjoy the journey as well.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it the next day. Concentrate. Narrow. Exclude.
A man way before his time, Henry pioneered the "2 Day Rule."
On the rare days where he could not get it going, he would give it up.
But he made sure to never miss twice.
A man way before his time, Henry pioneered the "2 Day Rule."
On the rare days where he could not get it going, he would give it up.
But he made sure to never miss twice.
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
As if he forgot the very first commandment, Henry reminds himself to stop chasing shiny new objects and focus on the book at hand.
There's a lesson here that he had to repeat this rule to himself.
As if he forgot the very first commandment, Henry reminds himself to stop chasing shiny new objects and focus on the book at hand.
There's a lesson here that he had to repeat this rule to himself.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterward.
And to round it out, Henry finishes with the foundation of his Program:
Write first and always.
And I think you could summarize these 11 commandments with that simple phrase.~
And to round it out, Henry finishes with the foundation of his Program:
Write first and always.
And I think you could summarize these 11 commandments with that simple phrase.~
That's it!
The core of Henry Miller's writing routine:
• Write first and always
• Chase no shiny objects
• Cement a little every day
• Work calmy, joyously, and recklessly
• Recognize that great writing is a byproduct
• Stick to the program, but enjoy every second of it
The core of Henry Miller's writing routine:
• Write first and always
• Chase no shiny objects
• Cement a little every day
• Work calmy, joyously, and recklessly
• Recognize that great writing is a byproduct
• Stick to the program, but enjoy every second of it
Rules, systems, and frameworks like these set the foundation for lifelong creative success.
And if you're looking to start writing (but not sure where to begin), this free, 13,000-word ultimate guide & email course will help you.
Get instant access here: x.startwritingonline.com
And if you're looking to start writing (but not sure where to begin), this free, 13,000-word ultimate guide & email course will help you.
Get instant access here: x.startwritingonline.com
Boom, thanks for reading!
If you liked this, then follow me @dickiebush for more threads on writing.
Then, repost this so we can share these commandments with more people.
Here's the first post: x.com
If you liked this, then follow me @dickiebush for more threads on writing.
Then, repost this so we can share these commandments with more people.
Here's the first post: x.com
جاري تحميل الاقتراحات...