What Lessons Ernest Hemingway Can Teach a New Writer Looking for Advice

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When you hear the name Ernest Hemingway, most people picture a rugged man with a battered typewriter, a love of big-game hunting, and a penchant for whiskey. What’s less obvious is that behind that larger‑than‑life persona lies a set of writing principles so clear and disciplined that they still feel fresh to anyone just starting out on the page.

If you’re a fledgling writer wondering how to turn vague ideas into tight, compelling prose, Hemingway’s habits and philosophies offer a practical roadmap. Below, I’ve distilled the most useful lessons from his life and work into bite‑size, actionable advice you can start applying today.

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1. Embrace the “Iceberg Theory” – Show, Don’t Tell

“If a man doesn’t have the courage to tell his story in its entirety, then it’s not worth telling at all.” – Ernest Hemingway (paraphrased)

Hemingway’s famous “Iceberg Theory” (or theory of omission) teaches us to trust the reader. Only the tip of the story—dialogue, action, a vivid image—needs to appear on the page. The deeper emotions and backstory remain hidden, like an iceberg beneath the water’s surface.

How to use it:

• Write a scene with only dialogue and action. Resist the urge to add explanatory sentences.
• Ask yourself, “What’s the subtext?” Let the reader infer the stakes through what’s left unsaid.
• Practice the “five‑sentence rule.” Summarise a scene in five sentences, then strip away any that merely explain rather than show.

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2. Keep Sentences Short, Yet Powerful

Hemingway’s prose is notorious for its brevity. He believed a sentence should be as short as possible—but no shorter. This forces you to choose the most precise words and eliminates needless fluff.

Practical steps:

Bad Example	Hemingway‑Style Revision
“He walked slowly across the hallway, his steps echoing in the empty, dimly lit corridor.”	“He walked. His steps echoed.”
“She felt an overwhelming sense of sadness that she could not quite explain.”	“She felt sad.”

• Read your work aloud. If a sentence trips you up, cut or re‑phrase.
• Aim for an average of 12–15 words per sentence in early drafts; later, trim aggressively.

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3. Write Like You Speak

Hemingway once said he wanted his prose to be as “simple as a newspaper article.” He modelled his diction on everyday speech, which makes his stories feel immediate and authentic.

Try this exercise:

1. Record a conversation (with consent) about a topic you care about.
2. Transcribe it and note the most natural phrases.
3. Insert those phrases into a paragraph of your own writing, ensuring the rhythm feels conversational yet purposeful.

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4. Revise Relentlessly – The “Two‑Draft” Method

Hemingway famously rewrote his stories over 30 times. He believed the first draft was just the “bone,” and the real work happened in the edits.

Two‑Draft System:

• Draft 1 – “Skeleton.” Write without worrying about style or perfection; focus on getting the plot down.
• Draft 2 – “Polish.” Cut every adverb, replace weak verbs, and apply the Iceberg Theory.

After the second pass, give the piece a 48‑hour cooling period before a final, “laser‑focused” edit. This distance sharpens your eye for leftover cruft.

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5. Live a Life Worth Writing About

Hemingway’s most vivid stories came from his personal experiences—war, fishing, bullfighting, travel. He didn’t merely write about these things; he lived them, then stripped away the excess to reveal the universal truth.

What this means for you:

• Seek experiences outside your comfort zone. Even a short hike can provide sensory details that make a scene pop.
• Keep a “sensory notebook.” Jot down sounds, smells, textures, and emotions you encounter daily.
• Translate real moments into fiction by focusing on the emotional core, not the exact event.

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6. Discipline Over Inspiration

Hemingway’s daily routine was brutally regimented: a set number of words, a specific writing time, and a habit of writing standing up to keep his posture—and mind—alert. He believed that discipline creates the space for inspiration.

Implement a Hemingway‑style habit:

Step	Action
1. Set a word goal	500–1,000 words per day (adjust to your schedule).
2. Choose a time block	Early morning, after dinner, or any slot you can protect.
3. Create a ritual	Light a candle, brew a cup of coffee, or stand at a desk.
4. Write, regardless of “feeling”	If the words feel forced, keep typing—most drafts are rough.
5. End with a “stop”	Knowing when to close a session prevents burnout.

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7. Read Like a Writer, Not Just a Reader

Hemingway devoured the works of Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, and Mark Twain—writers whose styles were wildly different from his own. He dissected their sentences, noting what worked, what didn’t, and why.

Your reading plan:

• Pick three diverse authors each month.
• Underline passages that evoke strong feeling.
• Write a short analysis: What makes this line effective? How could I adapt this technique?

This active reading trains you to recognise craft, not just story.

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8. Accept Failure as Part of the Process

Hemingford’s first manuscript, The Sun Also Rises, was rejected several times before finally being published. He used those rejections as fuel, not as proof of inadequacy.

To internalise this mindset:

• Create a “Rejection Log.” List every “no” you receive, then note one concrete lesson you learned from each.
• Set a “failure quota.” Aim for a certain number of “bad drafts” each month—knowing you’re moving forward.

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9. Write About What You Know… And Then Some

Hemingway’s iconic line, “All you have to do is write one true sentence,” stresses authenticity. He often wrote about familiar subjects—fishing, war, love—yet he expanded these experiences into universal truths.

Action tip:

• Identify a “core truth” in your life (e.g., “I feel most alive when I’m racing against time”).
• Build a story that uses that truth as the emotional spine, even if the plot seems unrelated.

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10. Keep the End in Mind—But Don’t Stifle the Journey

Hemingway once told a young writer: “You start with the ending in mind, but you must let the characters discover it.” In practice, this means knowing your story’s destination while allowing the narrative to breathe.

How to balance the two:

1. Write a one‑sentence synopsis of your story’s ending.
2. Outline only the major beats—don’t lock every scene in stone.
3. Write the middle sections organically, listening to where the characters naturally head.
4. Re‑align at the revision stage if the ending no longer fits.

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TL;DR – Hemingway’s 5‑Point Checklist for New Writers

	Lesson	Quick Action
1	Iceberg Theory	Show, don’t explain.
2	Short Sentences	Aim ≤15 words per sentence.
3	Speak the Language	Use conversational diction.
4	Relentless Revision	Two‑draft system + 48‑hour break.
5	Discipline > Inspiration	Set a daily word goal & ritual.

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Final Thought

Ernest Hemingway’s legacy isn’t about mimicking his staccato style or his macho mythos; it’s about adopting a mindset of clarity, honesty, and relentless work ethic. By internalising the lessons above, you’ll not only write tighter prose but also cultivate the stamina needed to finish the stories you start.

So, the next time you sit down with a blank page, remember: the sea may be vast, but the iceberg you’re building is yours alone. Write, cut, live, and keep the pen moving—just as Hemingway did, one deliberate sentence at a time.

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Ready to put these lessons into practice? Grab a notebook, set a timer for 20 minutes, and write a scene using only dialogue and action. Then, edit it down until you’ve removed every word that isn’t absolutely necessary. Share your results in the comments below; I’d love to see how Hemingway’s shadow guides your own voice!

Happy writing.