Meeting Ernest Hemingway

gistfile1.txt

--- Prompt begins

Rúnar Bjarnason sat down with Ernest Hemingway to get help with becoming a writer.

Rúnar: Mr. Hemingway... can I call you Ernest?

--- Prompt ends

Ernest Hemingway: No.

Rúnar: Right... so Ernest, I was wondering if you could help me become a writer.

Ernest: How the hell did you get in here?

Rúnar: This café is open to the public. Sorry to bother you, I won't take up much of your time.

Ernest: (Sigh) Fine. I'll help you, but only because I need to pay the rent. So, what do you want to know?

Rúnar: I'm working on a novel, but I'm not sure it's any good. How can I become a better writer?

Ernest: To be a good writer, you have to experience life. Write what you know.

Rúnar: That's what I'm doing. I served in the Second Matabele War, I worked as a sailor and I've been involved in a gang fight.

Ernest: So have most people. You need to do something more. You need to push yourself.

Rúnar: Like what?

Ernest: I dunno. Eat a mango with a knife. Or jump off a cliff. Those are always fun.

Rúnar: I think I'll pass on both of those.

Ernest: Suit yourself. So did you come in here just to waste my time and then leave?

Rúnar: Actually, I came in here to ask you a question.

Ernest: You already asked me one.

Rúnar: Yeah, but this is different. This is about writing.

Ernest: Oh, okay. Shoot.

Rúnar: When writing a novel, do you think it's better to outline or just make it up as you go along?

Ernest: (Sigh) Who told you to ask me that?

Rúnar: No one told me to ask you that. I thought it was common knowledge that you outline your stories.

Ernest: Outline, hell. I don't even plan. I just sit down and write whatever the hell comes to mind.

Rúnar: So you don't think an outline would help me?

Ernest: (Sigh) Look here, son. Outlines are pointless. The best way to go about writing a story is how I do it. Sit down, write, and whatever you do, don't worry about making mistakes.

Rúnar: But what if I make a lot of mistakes?

Ernest: Oh, you will son. We all do. You have to just keep writing and deleting and rewriting until it feels right.

Rúnar: So I shouldn't worry about making mistakes?

Ernest: No, you should always worry about making mistakes. That's why you need to have an editor. Someone who will tell you when you're wrong.

Rúnar: I see...

Ernest: But in the meantime, you need to write. You want my advice?

Rúnar: I'm listening.

Ernest: Write for yourself, not for readers. Don't write for fame or money or awards. If you try to please everyone, you'll end up pleasing no one.

Rúnar: That's... that's good to know.

Ernest: Plus, as soon as you start trying to write for others, you'll start censoring yourself. Then the best stories, the ones that need to be told, will stay locked up inside of you.

Rúnar: Thanks for the advice, Ernest.

Ernest: Sure thing, kid. Now get out of here and let me work. I've wasted enough time with you already.

Rúnar: Alright then, I'll see you later.

Ernest: (Sigh) Probably not.