“I always rewrite each day up to the point where I stopped. When it is all finished, naturally you go over it. You get another chance to correct and rewrite when someone else types it, and you see it clean in type. The last chance is in the proofs. You’re grateful for these different chances.”
- July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961
- American
- Novelist, poet, journalist
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
Quote
“I always rewrite each day up to the point where I stopped. When it is all finished, naturally you go over it. You get another chance to correct and rewrite when someone else types it, and you see it clean in type. The last chance is in the proofs. You’re grateful for these different chances.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway reflects on the process of revision and the multiple opportunities a writer has to refine their work. He emphasizes that writing is an iterative process where each draft offers a new opportunity for improvement. The daily rewriting reflects his commitment to perfecting the text, ensuring that the work is shaped and polished bit by bit. Hemingway acknowledges that even after the writing is “finished,” there are still multiple stages of refinement, such as when someone else types the manuscript or when it reaches the proofing stage. At each of these stages, the writer gets the chance to re-evaluate, correct, and refine the text, which Hemingway views as an invaluable part of the creative process. These “different chances” are seen as a form of gratefulness, recognizing that the journey from first draft to final product is a process of continuous improvement.
Hemingway was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to stripping away unnecessary words to make his writing as precise and powerful as possible. His works, such as A Farewell to Arms and The Old Man and the Sea, underwent extensive revisions, often being rewritten numerous times to ensure that every word was essential. Hemingway’s view of writing as a repetitive process, full of chances to correct and refine, highlights his belief that great writing is not just about inspiration but about hard work, discipline, and the willingness to revisit and revise.
In the modern context, this quote speaks to the importance of revision in any creative process, whether it’s writing, art, music, or even business strategies. In a world where instant results are often expected, Hemingway’s words remind us that quality comes from perseverance and the willingness to fine-tune and revisit our work over time. The idea that we should be grateful for the opportunity to revise underscores the value of reflecting on our work and constantly seeking to make it better, knowing that perfection is often reached through a process of continual refinement.
