This week we've been discussing why waking up early and starting the day is important for authors and creatives. Today, let's draw inspiration from a literary titan, the great Ernest Hemingway. Though renowned for his crisp prose and evocative storytelling, he was also famous for his early morning writing sessions.
Hemingway once said, "When I am working on a book or a story, I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write."
Here's how you can incorporate Hemingway's early morning writing ritual into your routine:
1. Rise Early: Hemingway believed in starting just after first light, so set your alarm to get an early start. This might be challenging at first, but the tranquillity of the early morning can be a real boon to your creativity.
2. Find a Quiet Space: Just as Hemingway cherished those undisturbed hours, find a quiet, comfortable place where you can focus solely on your writing.
3. Warm Up as You Write: This doesn't necessarily mean physically warming up (though a cup of coffee or tea can help), but rather, easing into your writing for the day. Start with a sentence, a paragraph, and let the momentum build as you go.
4. Consistency is Key: Hemingway was religious about his daily writing routine. Aim to make your early morning writing a regular habit, not just a one-off occurrence. Remember, consistency breeds creativity.
5. Embrace Simplicity: Hemingway was known for his clear, concise prose. Strive for clarity in your own writing. Don’t worry about crafting the 'perfect' sentence on your first go, focus on getting your thoughts down. Editing can come later.
Now, an early morning routine may not suit everyone at first, and that's perfectly okay. The goal here is not to strictly mimic Hemingway but to learn from his discipline and dedication to his craft. Nonetheless, even Marcus Aurelius tells us that it's important to get up early, to get to work, to attack the day.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
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