Hemingway Exercise - Fiction Draft #1, Short Story #2

1. Most of Hemingway’s stories have simple plots revolving around the theme of death or alienation. Two characters usually do not have the same world view (or opinion) and their conversation or relationship is strained by miscommunication (or the fact that a character cannot explain him/herself to another human being.)

2. In your journal, brainstorm a series of situations that you might write about. These situations should be simple and able to be described in one or two sentences.

Ex: A man dying of gangrene remembers his youth while trying to convince his wife that he really is dying. Or: Two waiters watch an old drunk man one evening. One of the waiters sees himself reflected in the old man.

3. Pick one of your best situations or one you would like to work with.

4. Use one of the techniques of opening a story. Select one you want to work with. Hemingway often used dialogue as an entrance into the story and plot.

5. Tell only this story for the first draft. Your first draft doesn’t have to be an epic length story. It should simply record the events and dialogue. Keep your action within one day or a short amount of time (an hour, a minute, etc.)I'd suggest trying to write 1 full page or 2 pages at most. Write quickly. Don't worry about getting into the mind of your character/protagonist yet.