Fitness Quote by Hemingway, Ernest
““When George Plimpton asked Ernest Hemingway what the best training for an aspiring writer would be in a 1954 interview, Hem replied, “Let’s say that he should go out and hang himself because he finds that writing well is impossibly difficult. Then he should be cut down without mercy and forced by his own self to write as well as he can for the rest of his life. At least he will have the story of the hanging to commence with.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: 1954 interview with George Plimpton, published in The Paris Review
Hemingway humorously suggests that confronting extreme hardship can force a writer to confront his craft with urgency and authenticity.
In simple terms: Hardship can push a writer to write earnestly.
Key Takeaway
Embrace difficulty to sharpen your writing.
Themes
writing
hardship
authenticity
Mood
reflective
wry
Type
advice
humorous
When to use this quote
- writer's block
- personal crisis
- creative sprint
- learning through adversity
Key Concepts
existential challenge
creative pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- Can hardship truly improve art?
- What healthier challenges can inspire growth?
A Different Perspective
Extreme self‑punishment is neither realistic nor healthy for most writers.
