brevity and creativity

by Joe Lafferty on October 13, 2009

Read some Hemingway on holiday last week…

the old man and the sea

and this book has one of my favourite quotes from Hemingway, although when I came across it first it was in the 1958 movie starring Spencer Tracy, so it was good to get the exact words.

It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.
Hemingway, the old man and the sea. p22

Been a while since I’ve read any of his books – he writes so succintly and yet packed with meaning. Not one word wasted.  His style often copied but never bettered.

Hemingway was once challeged to write a story in six words.  Impossible? His response demonstrating powerfully that limitation can enable creativity:

For sale, baby shoes, never worn.

Amazing…

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