This one comes from Hemingway. I have this quote written on a post-it note next to my monitor. When I’m having trouble getting into a scene, I use it as a mantra:

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

And that’s the prompt. Whatever scene you’re working on now, write the truest sentence you know about it.

You’ll know when you’ve found the truest sentence, because you’ll write a second . . . and a third . . . and a fourth . . .

Books Mentioned in this Post

The book cover link above is an Affiliate Link, which means I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through this link, at no cost to you.  In other words, if you’re thinking of buying a copy of this book for your home craft library anyway, buying said copy through this link is a no-brainer way to help support this site. And I appreciate it. Thank you!

Well, that’s it for me!

Feel free to paste your scene in the comments if you’d like readers to offer feedback. Make sure to tell us what you’re seeking help on (structure, escalation, motivation, emotion, whatever).

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Also, people have been hiring me to review their loglines with the kind of analysis seen here and here, and I’m enjoying it. So, if you think your logline (or something else!) might benefit from a looksie and want to hire me to review it, email me at writeswithtools @ gmail dot com.

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