"But I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, 'Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.'" - Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
Ironically, the last part of this quote might be Ernest Hemingway's own 'one true sentence'. A Moveable feast is a memoir of Hemingway's life in Paris when he was a struggling writer. When looking for them, one will find a treasure-trove of lessons for writers. The above-mentioned quote might be one of the most important lessons in the book.
Hemingway believed that by writing clearly and honestly, a writer can convey the intended message powerfully and effectively. The key to good writing is to convey the truth, rather than focus on impressing or deceiving your readers. This can help create a sense of trust and connection between the writer and the reader. The author himself was known for his concise and straightforward style, and the quote can be interpreted as an urge to simplistic and authentic writing.
What about fiction though?
Even in a work of fiction, it is important to create characters and situations that feel authentic to the readers (yes, even with the fantasy genre). By focusing on conveying the emotional and thematic truth, one can help readers connect with the characters and the events of a story on a deeper level.
Another way to apply this idea is to focus on the core themes and messages of a story. With fiction, it is often important to go beyond just telling a story. One has to explore deeper questions or themes. By being true to one's voice and perspective as a writer, one can help your readers be more engaged with the story.
'One true sentence' in fiction could help you focus your writing and ensure that your story has a clear and compelling statement to make. It can also help you create a strong opening for your story and serve as a hook that draws the readers in.
And Poetry?
The concept of 'one true sentence' can also be applied to poetry. It could point to conveying a single powerful emotion in each poem. By striving to capture the essence of a single emotion or idea in a single, true sentence, one can create impactful work. Choosing words carefully and using evocative language can help the readers feel more engaged with the emotions that the poet is exploring.
Practicing this concept when writing poetry can prove to be challenging. As poetry often relies on metaphors, symbolism, and other literary devices to convey an image, idea, or emotion, a true sentence might seem blunt.
When experimenting with this idea, one could try two methods. One, where you can end your poem with this one true sentence. It could be something that conveys the core idea, or it could be like a Shakespearean sonnet where the last couplet changes the entire tone of the sentence. The second is trying to make that one true sentence your entire poem.
"The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea. The point is not to tell a story or to impart information, but to give the reader a feeling of something. The good writer is someone who can give the reader this feeling with a single, true sentence." - Ernest Hemingway
Good writing is a lot more than just telling a story or imparting information. It is about creating a connection with readers. Whether it be fiction, poetry, or any other form of writing, conveying the emotional truth through one sentence can do a lot more to your piece than 4,102,217 words can.
By writing one true sentence, a writer can cut through all the noise and get to the heart of their message.
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