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Henry Miller On Writing Tips

Henry_Miller_1940

  1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
  2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring.”
  3. Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
  4. Work according to the program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
  5. When you can’t create you can work.
  6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
  7. Keep human! See people; go places, drink if you feel like it.
  8. Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
  9. Discard the Program when you feel like it–but go back to it the next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
  10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
  11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

18 Comments

  • jolly555

    These are great words,it better to focus on the what we are doing than thinking about what we should be doing. Valuable words there.

  • Janet James

    Amazing writing tips for anyone one who want to take writing seriously. They can help you focus until you complete one task.

    • Grace K

      I agree with you, thees are great tips to lay a foundation for anyone thinking o becoming a writer. Considering that Henry Miller is also a great writer.

  • esgyll

    Such great tips for writing. I try, but can’t seem to focus on the “work on one thing at a time until finished” part. It’s very hard when you have a lot of things in your mind that you want to write down right away.

  • Barak Telle

    These writing tips are so real and practical. If you follow them yo will literally finish your writing and be happy for your work.

  • Miaka Yuuki

    I agree with the first point. Focus on one thing and be good at it before going to the next one. Being a jack of all traits will get you nowhere.

  • brainedet

    Definitely, the best way to get the very best from. Life is to work on a thing at a time and get the best result before moving on

  • Alijid

    This is entirely true. This should also be applicable when writing your thesis paper. I found out that the more you edit your work to reach your final draft, the more it deviates from your original thought.

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