How you write through the crap

“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.”

I know there’s quite a dismissive attitude towards Ernest Hemingway these days – but then these are the days when someone’s reported biography is more important than what they have done so I never pay much attention to that otherwise you get people who have never read or seen something telling you what you should not read or see it, and why their opinion is right. Anyway I love old EH’s stories especially the Nick Adam’s stories such as ‘Big Two-Hearted River’ forget all the blah and just enjoy this incredible writing if you get the chance.

I’m working on a longish story at the minute – a story I’ve wanted to write for for about twenty years or so. I’ve had to wait until now to have enough skills and taste to try to get it down. I’ve had to write everything I’ve written up to now, and just enjoying my reading as the layers of possibility built up so that now I can look this piece in the eye. When I’m done I’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. That’s the way it goes, and another poem or story will need approaching. I make no promises for this piece, writers and all artists need to right to fail, it could just be 15000 word of crap, but it leads to the next thing, as long as the crap goes in the bin and the writer in me sits down at the desk again – then it’s worth doing.

Here’s a Hemingway short story in 6 words, it is complete and profound and looks like nothing:

“ For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

 

currently playing Miles Davis’ Steamin’ and Workin’ albums, and quite a bit of Bach as usual. Though now it’s time to make a cup of tea, stand and look at the garden while I drink it, think about what needs doing, what to plant. There is a lot of cutting back  and shaping that has to be done before anything else.

I’ve been unable to do much after my operation on a lifelong inguinal hernia six weeks ago, but I saw my surgeon yesterday, and I’ve healed really well – so I’m excited to be able to get back to things especially a bit more dynamic stuff in the garden, and getting back to my training, I don’t like it much when my body is not toned up, and not training affects the writing as I don’t feel as vibrant or connected or grounded.. I know – gently does it.. I will.

Just love Strindberg & Helium, oh god these make me laugh.. We could all do with a Helium Character following us around – can you Imagine when we start going on about the things we do, up pops a pink balloon creature and… well watch the video and see…

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