Henry Miller on Writing

(Photo by Peter Gowland)

The Commandments

1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to "Hemingway's Suitcase."
3. Don't be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
4. Work accordingly to Program and not accordingly to mood. Stop at the appointed time.
5. When you can't create you can work.
6. Cement a little everyday, rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
8. Don't be a draught horse! Work with pleasure only.
9. Disregard the Program when you feel like it--but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema,all these come afterwards.