Ernest Hemingway’s Top 5 Tips For Writing Well

No matter what it is you do, being able to communicate effectively by writing well is essential.  Brian Clark of Copyblogger wrote this excellent article on Ernest Hemingway's tips.  What a great advice; now to follow it.

Who better?

Many business people faced with the task of writing for marketing purposes are quick to say: Hey, I’m no Hemingway!

But really, who better than Hemingway to emulate? Rather than embracing the flowery prose of the literati, he chose to eschew obfuscation at every turn and write simply and clearly.

So let’s see what Ernest can teach us about effective writing.

1. Use short sentences.

Hemingway was famous for a terse minimalist style of writing that dispensed with flowery adjectives and got straight to the point. In short, Hemingway wrote with simple genius.



Perhaps his finest demonstration of short sentence prowess was when he was challenged to tell an entire story in only 6 words:



For sale: baby shoes, never used.

2. Use short first paragraphs.

See opening.

3. Use vigorous English.

Here’s David Garfinkel's take on this one:

It’s muscular, forceful. Vigorous English comes from passion, focus and intention. It’s the difference between putting in a good effort and TRYING to move a boulder… and actually sweating, grunting, straining your muscles to the point of exhaustion… and MOVING the freaking thing!

4. Be positive, not negative.

Since Hemingway wasn’t the cheeriest guy in the world, what does he mean by be positive? Basically, you should say what something is rather than what it isn’t.

This is what Michel Fortin calls using up words:

By stating what something isn’t can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you’ll still focus on the word “pain” in “painless.”
• Instead of saying “inexpensive,” say “economical,”
• Instead of saying “this procedure is painless,” say “there’s little discomfort” or “it’s relatively comfortable,”
• And instead of saying “this software is error-free” or “foolproof,” say “this software is consistent” or “stable.”

5. Never have only 4 rules.

Actually, Hemingway did only have 4 rules for writing, and they were those he was given as a cub reporter at the Kansas City Star in 1917. But, as any web writer knows, having only 4 rules will never do.



So, in order to have 5, I had to dig a little deeper to get the most important of Hemingway’s writing tips of all:

“I write one page of masterpiece to ninety-one pages of shit,” Hemingway confided to F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1934. “I try to put the shit in the wastebasket.”

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Gentle Networking by Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan, author of the best selling book Trust Agents is a respected thought leader as well as one of the most popular bloggers and the “go to” man for internet advice and direction. Chris is a master at building and maintaining relationships. His comments on “Gentle Networking” are clear, concise and just plain make sense—online or off. Read it, you'll love it. Janet

From Chris Brogan,

Personally, I want to hear Chris Garrett's take, as he’s written an amazing course on it, but I wanted to start talking about networking and how it relates to escape velocity. So, you’re stuck with me, until Garrett writes us up a post.  

The Benefit of Gentle Networking

Let’s define this concept: gentle networking is meeting people, really caring about being helpful, and taking it just one step further by being ready to connect that person with someone else who would benefit from the connection. In other words, it’s not what people can do for you; it’s what you can do for others. It’s a mutual appreciation society of sorts, but with the realization that we can all help grow each other’s business, if not directly, then by the friends we know.

The benefit of this, I should point out, is that it’s far less cutthroat feeling than typical networking (what’s in it for me), plus it’s got a chance of having two hits in the exchange (a face to face connection, plus the potential of meeting someone that is useful to someone else you know for later).

For an example, I’m friends with Bryan Elliott. This friendship started with just conversations. Since then, Bryan has brought me opportunities. I’ve brought him opportunities. We’ve connected each other with others in our networks. THIS is the longer value yield of gentle networking.  

It’s About Being Patient

Sometimes, we get hungry. We need success today. However, you can’t rush networking. You can’t rush friendship. You can’t rush the serendipity effect that happens from these experiences. Just like you can’t dig a hole, throw some seeds in, and wait a few minutes for the apple to fall into your hand, you have to grow your network slowly, and feed it value. You have to find opportunities to tend it, to give it light (by promoting others), and you have to give it plenty of water (or potential deal flow) to make it worthwhile.  

The Network is Everything

You’ve heard this. You also hear, as my friend Julien says often, that someone was “a pillar in his community.” Sadly, you usually hear it at funerals. But it’s true. The network is everything, if you build it the right way, and if you grow it gently.

The best way I’ve kept my network growing is by offering lots and lots of indirect value (things like blog posts and general good will), and then lots of targeted value, often without any need for money. That’s the secret. If you can do a lot for a lot of people without needing the money, then the bigger ticket paybacks end up being amazing, and you end up having a strong and powerful network. Just practice that method. It can happen.

The Karma Thing

Please note: you MUST do these things without EXPECTING anything back. This is the super secret (and really really really hard to learn) part of this. You cannot and must not sit around saying, “Well, I did this for Dave and I never got anything for it.” There’s a difference between determining someone is a sucking greedy monster and deciding not to feed them any more of your good will, but that’s really different. Expect nothing. Do because it’s what should be done. Network because the secondary effects are where the gold hides out.
Let karma figure itself out. (Replace ‘karma’ with whatever term doesn’t weird you out.)  

Go Forth and Network Gently

Do it small, even. Pick three people (no more than three) and do something good for them without them asking. Write about them. Introduce them to someone you think would help them grow. Give away something of great value to them. Repeat twice a week until it feels like second nature. Then, see what comes of it. Are you game?

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5 Tips for Quality Connections on Facebook by Jackie Ulmer

In this article, Jackie speaks from experience—and it shows! She built a large business from home and online in a company that would normally be considered a “party plan.” Her common sense approach and clear writing style will help “newbies” as well as be a great reminder who those who may have become lazy with their Facebook relationships. Janet

How many times does it happen to you (or do you DO it?) You get a random friend request from someone you don’t know; they have a picture of their dog; their wall is blocked from the public and they don’t send a personal message saying why they want to be friends?

ARGH!?! What is up with that?

Facebook and Social Media sites are NOT the place for Drive By connections! If you want to use Facebook successfully for your business, here are 5 key tips for making real connections with people.

1. Send a personal message

2. Use your REAL picture

3. Invest time in making sure you are networking with people who share your values

4. Keep your wall clean

5. Engage regularly

Tip #1 – Send a personal message.
If you don’t really know someone, and you want them to accept you as a friend, take the time to make some type of connection for them. Tell them why you are requesting their friendship; tell them who and/or what you have in common; share something about them that makes you interested in not just adding them to your “posse” but connecting with and getting to know them.

Tip #2 – Use a real picture.
You’ve probably heard this before, but is it called FACEBOOK for a reason. I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in connecting with someone’s dog or bottle of juice in cyberspace. That’s not a connection. You don’t have to be a supermodel; but you do want to be smiling; dressed appropriately; and preferably by yourself in the picture so we know with whom we are accepting a connection.

Tip #3 – Invest time in making sure you are networking with people who share your values.
Personally, I check out the profile and wall of everyone who makes a friend request, and of those who I make friend requests of. I’m not interested in profanity, your politics (within reason) or how wasted you got in Vegas last weekend. And, I am not interested in your Farmville, Mafia wars or Blingie things either. What things will I see immediately on your wall or profile that let me know we have things in common?

Tip #4 – Keep your wall clean.
People will make an immediate judgment and evaluation of you within seconds of landing on your wall. What impression do you want them to make? If it’s filled with nothing but opportunity ads and game scores, what do you suppose that perception is going to be? Your wall represents you, every bit as much if not more than your picture. Visit your wall regularly and make sure it is “representing” well for you and that others aren’t cluttering it up, either.

Tip #5 – Engage regularly. Adding a “friend” is one thing; developing a friendship is another.
Make it a point to get to know people. Send a personal message; visit the profiles of friends regularly and just say hi; start a conversation; get to know them. Your goal in social media marketing is to stand out from the crowd; to be memorable; even more, to become unforgettable! This is done by having a voice and engaging it with others!

Facebook is an amazing tool for finding others; connecting and developing your business when used correctly. I hope these tips have been useful.

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