In the Foreword of this insightful book, Charles Scribner, Jr. writes, “For readers of Hemingway who would like to know more about his aims and principles as a writer, this collection of his views will provide an interesting sidelight on his books.  For aspiring writers who are looking for practical advice on the demanding task of putting words together, these pages will be a gold mine of observations, suggestions, and tricks of the trade” (xii). 

Both aspects of Ernest Hemingway’s writing are on full display in this compact and enjoyable book that gleans the author’s wisdom and tradecraft from letters, interviews, and articles centered around his writing career.  He’s a fascinating study, with lots of blunt and straightforward advice that isn’t sugarcoated; he takes his work seriously, and there’s no room to dance around the challenges faced as a writer.

There is a lot of excellent writing advice present in this book that can be used by writers who have never read a word of Hemingway’s works.  Editor Larry W. Phillips has compiled these wonderful words of wisdom into categories that include: “What Writing Is and Does,” “What to Write About,” Characters,” Obscenity,” Politics,” and “The Writer’s Life.”  

Hemingway was a tough guy, but he was also passionate about his work as an author, which is evident in many of the quotes contained in this book.  Here are a few I found interesting:

“…whatever success I have had has been through writing what I know about” (21).

“The more I’m let alone and not worried the better I can function” (56).

“For instance I am guilty of using ‘swell’ in writing.  But only in dialogue; not as an adjective to replace the word you should use.  Try and write straight English; never using slang except in Dialogue and then only when unavoidable.  Because all slang goes sour in a short time.  I only use swear words, for example, that have lasted at least a thousand years for fear of getting stuff that will be simply timely and then go sour” (81-82).  

Ernest Hemingway On Writing is an excellent read, and one I highly recommend to readers and writers alike.