Hemingway and Detail
Posted by Mark Shaw on July 17, 2008
What is your favorite Hemingway book, Hemingwaywantabes - Old Man and the Sea, Moveable Feast, Farewell to Arms, or For Whom the Bell Tolls? How about The Garden of Eden?
What I like most about the latter book is its simplicity, and Hemingway for writing little details that provide just enough information about the subject at hand. He was a master of this, never too little, not too much, just the right amount of information to keep the story flowing.
Here’s an example: “It was siesta time and they lay on the bed and David was reading by the light that came in the window on the left of the bed where he had pulled up on one of the slatted curtains about a third of its length. The light was reflected from the building across the street. The curtain was not pulled high enough to show the sky.”
Re-read this and see how many details Hemingway provides in just this short paragraph. We know David is a reader, the time is probably right after lunch, there is a window, and a bed in the room. Hemingway uses the curtains to indicate what is outside, a building across the street where whatever light there is reflects, etc.
When you write, attempt to be word conservative, using your tools to suggest as much information and as many images as possible. We are all too wordy, like those lawyers we see on television, trying somehow to spout out word after word as if quantity not quality is important. Practice this by limiting the words you speak, quit being long-winded and instead use short, detailed phrases to make your point. Like Hemingway, practice makes perfect when you focus on precise word usage.
If you want me to look over some of your writings, please send them along. Happy to do so.
jdnieckar said
How about The Sun Also Rises? This novel widely popularized Hemingway for his rapid dialogue as well as immersing his protagonist (Jake) in otherwise undeclared existentialal themes. I believe this novel was his coup d’etat of characterization and dialouge. His adolescent exploration of existential reality.
Mark Shaw said
Well said, but what existential themes are you suggesting?
gypsyscarlett said
Hello Mark,
I’ve recently discovered your blog and am enjoying it very much.
Excellent post. The biggest mistake new writers make is, “wordiness”. Using a few precise words is so much more powerful than verbosity.
Mark Shaw said
Thank you for your kind words, and yes, you are right – less is better. And the quality of the words used is also so important. This is why it is important to read masters such as Hemingway who chose his words carefully and limited use of them. When the words are strong,and visual, readers pay attention. It’s that simple.