Authors-on-writing Quote by Sean Norris
““Hemingway once said that ‘there is nothing to writing, you just sit down at a typewriter and bleed.’ What Hemingway failed to mention is that bleeding is the easy part. To cut is what makes writing hard. Sitting down to write and hitting that first key or touching the tip of your pen to that blank sheet of paper - that’s the hard part. Once you start - once you spill that first bit of ink and let it bleed into the page, the rest takes care of itself. There’s nothing to it. You just sit there and bleed until it stops. It is not for this reason, but it’s still interesting and worth mentioning that the word ‘write’ comes from the Proto-Germanic word ‘writan,’ which literally meant to scratch, tear, or cut.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on Writing, 2023
Writing begins with the difficult act of starting; once the first words flow, the process becomes easier, reflecting the ancient meaning of “write” as cutting or scratching.
In simple terms: Starting is hardest; then it flows.
Key Takeaway
Begin writing despite fear.
Themes
writing
creativity
discipline
process
language
Mood
motivational
practical
Type
inspirational
educational
When to use this quote
- starting a novel
- overcoming writer’s block
- daily journaling
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
psychology
literature
history
Questions to Reflect On
- What prevents you from starting a project?
- How can you sustain momentum after the first step?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify the ongoing challenges of writing.
