The Surprising Writing Trick Hemingway Used to Stay Inspired

Avoid writer's block with these 4 tips.

Did you know that American writer Ernest Hemingway had a surprising strategy that kept his writing fresh and exciting?

Hemingway would stop writing each day right at an interesting point, almost like leaving a story on a cliffhanger. It’s a bit like pausing an exciting movie scene and coming back to it later—it keeps the excitement alive!

At first, this sounds strange. If you’re in the flow, why stop? Most of us would think it’s better to keep going while the ideas are rolling.

But Hemingway realized something: when he stopped at an exciting moment, it was easier to jump back in the next day.

That little bit of unfinished story would be waiting for him, making him eager to get back to his writing. It was almost like leaving himself a fun puzzle to solve each time he sat down.

And guess what? Science says Hemingway was really onto something! This idea is connected to a concept called the Zeigarnik Effect, discovered by a psychologist named Bluma Zeigarnik in the 1920s.

What Is the Zeigarnik Effect?

Zeigarnik’s research showed that we tend to remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones.🤷‍♂️Here’s what happened in her study:

She gave kids tasks to complete, like solving puzzles or simple math problems. Some kids got to finish the tasks, while others were interrupted halfway through.

When the experiment was over, the kids were twice as likely to remember the tasks they hadn’t finished.

Why? Because their brains were holding on to the incomplete tasks, almost as if they were bookmarks, keeping a little reminder that there was something still to do.

Think about it like this: imagine you’re building a cool Lego set, and then halfway through, you’re pulled away for something else.

You’re probably going to remember it way more than if you had finished the set and put it away. It’s like your brain doesn’t want to let go of the “to be continued” part.

This is exactly what Hemingway was doing with his writing. By stopping at a point where the story was just getting interesting, he was leaving an open tab in his brain.

This made it easier for him to jump right back in and keep going when he sat down the next day.

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Now, you might be wondering: How can I use this strategy?

Here are a few ways you can use the “Hemingway cliffhanger” to make writing easier and more fun:

1. Stop Mid-Sentence or Mid-Idea

- Try leaving your writing right in the middle of an interesting idea or sentence. For example, if you’re writing a story, stop right when something exciting is about to happen.

This unfinished thought will make you curious to keep going when you come back. It’s like leaving yourself a tiny mystery to solve!

2. Use It for Creative Writing

- Hemingway’s method works especially well for creative projects. If you’re working on a story, article, or any kind of creative writing, stop just before a part that excites you.

Imagine closing a book just as the hero is about to open a treasure chest. That’s the feeling you want for yourself when you sit down to write again!

3. Leave a Note for Your Future Self

- Sometimes, you might worry about forgetting where you left off. To help, leave a quick note to yourself about where you were planning to go next.

It could be as simple as: “Next, describe the spooky forest.” This can help your future self jump back into the scene with ease.

4. Try It for Other Types of Work

- You can also use this technique beyond writing. If you’re working on a big project, like creating a presentation or doing research, try leaving off at an exciting or important part. When you return, you’ll find it easier to pick up the momentum where you left off.

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The Balance: Don’t Let Unfinished Tasks Weigh You Down

While leaving something unfinished can be a great motivator, sometimes it can feel a bit heavy.

Have you ever left a project undone and felt a bit anxious about it? That’s because unfinished tasks can sometimes hover in our minds.

The key is to use this technique on tasks that aren’t urgent. For creative writing or brainstorming, it’s exciting to come back to an unfinished idea.

But for things that are time-sensitive, like homework or urgent assignments, it’s best to finish them up.

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Why It’s Worth Trying

Think of Hemingway’s technique as leaving a small treat for your brain. Instead of facing a blank page each day, you’re coming back to something intriguing, something that makes you curious to continue.

And the best part? This approach makes writing feel less like a chore and more like a story you’re eager to finish.

Next time you’re writing, try the Hemingway method—stop just when things get exciting.

You might find that you’re not only more motivated but also that your writing flows better when you pick it up again.

Happy writing, and remember, sometimes the best way to keep moving forward is to leave a little unfinished magic waiting for you! ☺️

PS

Looking for help with your writing or content creation? Or interested in collaborating? Feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!