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How to Write Like Hemingway - 12 Pieces of Writing Wisdom

May 26, 2021 | 3 min read

As we gear up for the launch of “Hemingwrite,” our special edition Freewrite, we’re sharing writing tips from the author who shaped American literature. Ernest Hemingway’s writing is famously concise, powerful, and “true.” Let’s break down how he achieves this iconic style.

 

How to write concisely

Just as pro athletes make their sport look easy, Hemingway’s simple prose belies depth and technique.

Early in his life, Hemingway worked for the Kansas City Star.The Star’sstyle guide influenced him to pursue writing precision. He chose each word with care. He didn’t show off stylistic prowess for its own sake. He mercilessly trimmed his writing to get to the core of the story.

The list below outlines his main approach:

 

  1. Use common vocabulary and basic grammar. Hemingway’s books have high readability scores—even fourth graders can read his work.
  2. Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. We might want to use “very” to emphasize a feeling, for example, but often the feeling has more impact on its own.
  3. Use active verbs.
  4. Use short sentences.*
  5. Leave out dialogue tags.
  6. Be positive, not negative. Write what is rather than isn’t—i.e. “sad” as opposed to “not happy.”

 

*Caveats: Hemingway did not onlywrite short sentences. His sentences are, on average, shorter—he varied his sentence length.

He also used a technique called “polysyndeton,” in which he strung together many simple sentences with “and”s to accelerate action.

 

How to write with depth

 

We often associate the words “emotional” or “passionate” with “out of control.” Thus, it seems counterintuitive that Hemingway’s terse prose could evoke such emotion.

Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory relies on minimal descriptions that let readers fill in the blanks. (The “Iceberg” refers to how only small portion of an iceberg is visible above the surface. The part above the surface should suggest a deep, complex world that’s just beyond the page.)

 

  1. Actions vs. emotions. Hemingway doesn’t explain what characters feel—rather, he simply shows how they act and react.
  2. Leave out backstory. By focusing on the present and letting characters’ pasts unfold through relevant details as the story progresses, Hemingway avoids taking the reader out of the current story with a flashback.
  3. Cut anything unessential to the emotion your story is trying to create.

 

How to make your writing seem real/authentic

Hemingway famously said, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” If writing started to become too elaborate or showy, he would toss it and begin with a true, declarative sentence.

  1. Write what you know—with a twist. Hemingway used his life (especially the people in it) as a springboard. He didn’t write everything exactly as it was, but basing his stories on true experiences and feelings lent his work its authenticity.
  2. Break down objects, settings, and scenes into their basic elements. Relevant details make worlds come to life.
  3. Make your sentences flow. Hemingway would write a sentence, then start the next one based on where the previous sentence left off.

Hemingway’s writing style only appears simple. Now that you know what’s under the surface, try to implement these tips in your next piece. Happy writing!

 

Sign up for the Hemingwrite waitlist here. The Hemingwrite is the distraction-free writing tool that started it all. Quantities are extremely limited.

 

June 19, 2025 4 min read

What's a romance author to do when a global pandemic hits?

For Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, the answer was to start writing horror.

Carolina was writing romance when she first signed with her literary agent six years ago. But, Carolina explains, when the pandemic hit, she pivoted to horror.

"There was something about being isolated at home, living through the literal nightmare that COVID-19 was, that made me want to dive into a haunted house book," she explains. And it's a good thing she did.

That horror novel, Bochica, sold to Simon & Schuster at auction. (Trust us, it's a big deal.)

In fact, switching genres changed her life in more ways than one. "Writing Bochica made me want to move to an old manor in the woods," Carolina says, "so I now live in a house that I’m pretty sure is haunted."

Read on to learn how this Freewriter uses her four-year-old Freewrite Traveler to draft.

ANNIE COSBY: What does your writing process look like?

CAROLINA FLÓREZ-CERCHIARO: My writing process varies depending on the project, but generally, I start with some brainstorming before drafting. I’m not a heavy outliner, but I do make a rough roadmap — usually marking where the character starts, the midpoint, and a general idea of the ending.

It’s often just a list of bullet points to give me some structure. I don’t always know how I’ll get from point A to point B, and the outline changes as I go. I usually re-outline after drafting to make better sense of the story. I don’t treat the outline as strict — I let myself get lost in the story once I’m in it.

It’s really important for me to get the words on the page, even if they’re messy. You can’t edit a blank page, and revising is actually my favorite part of the process. So I focus on finishing that first draft so I can dig into the part I enjoy most.

For projects like Bochica where the historical backdrop is essential, I research before drafting, and continue to do so while writing and revising.

"I don’t treat the outline as strict — I let myself get lost in the story once I’m in it."

AC: How long did it take you to write Bochica?

CFC: The first draft took me about three months to write, and I revised it for another six to eight months with my agent before we sold it to my editor.

AC: That's really fast! How did Freewrite factor into your writing process?

CFC: My Freewrite Traveler is an essential part of my writing process, for every project I work on. It helps me get the juices flowing when I’m stuck, but it also helps me get those words on the page faster. I call it my little magical device!

I not only use it when I draft, but also when I’m revising, and I need to rewrite or add new passages, chapters, or scenes. I use it ALL the time.

"I call [Traveler] my little magical device!"

AC: Why do you prefer to draft on a Freewrite?

CFC: There’s a literal freedom that I get from using it as I’m drafting, similar to when I write by hand, but way more convenient. It’s quick, it keeps me off the internet, and I can easily upload it to my computer!

AC: Let's dig into your publishing journey. How did Bochica get published?

CFC: Bochica isn’t the first book I ever wrote, and it’s also not the book that got me my agent. I was actually writing romance when I signed with my literary agent almost six years ago, and when the pandemic hit, I decided to pivot into writing horror which had always been my favorite genre to read.

When the book was ready for editors, my agent sent it out, and I got an initial offer within days, then we got more offers, and the book ended up selling at auction to Simon and Schuster.

"Writing Bochica made me want to move to an old manor in the woods, so I now live in a house that I’m pretty sure is haunted."

AC: How has the publishing process been so far?

CFC: It’s been quite an experience; you go from hitting the lowest point to feeling on cloud nine the next second.

To sum it up in one word: WILD.

I’m lucky to have an amazing team behind me, both with my literary agent, and with my publishing team at Atria/Primero Sueño Press, to help me navigate this road, to get through the good, and the bad.

"[Publishing] has been quite an experience; you go from hitting the lowest point to feeling on cloud nine the next second."

AC: And before we sign off, what is Bochica about?

CFC: After her father is accused of murder, a young woman returns to her haunted childhood home — turned luxury hotel — and is forced to face the sinister shadows of her past, and unearth the truth of her mother’s mysterious death.

Think Mexican Gothic meets The Shining.

AC: Wow. I'm in!

If Bochica sounds like a wild ride to you, too, check it out here

June 10, 2025 12 min read

Discover the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboards for 2025. Compact, durable, and perfect for any setup - check out our top picks for gaming and productivity.

April 11, 2025 8 min read

Freewriter Britt Gondolfi has an important message: people need to put down their phones and LOOK UP. The medium she chose to get this message across? Pigeons and poop jokes.

Find out how Britt and her BFF (who happens to be her illustrator) took a silly song and turned it into a book deal.