Henry Miller's Writing Tips

[Jack Getze]

1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to ‘Black Spring.’
3. Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
5. When you can’t create you can work.
6. Cement a little every day, 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. Discard 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.

[C.M. Albrecht]

I think somebody has Henry Miller mixed up with Arthur Miller. Both were good writers, but in my opinion, Henry Miller was one of the most absolutely honest writers I've ever read. One thing I learned from Mr. Miller: when it comes to writing, you're God and you can write any damned thing you want to. it's your story and you tell it like you see it. He was never too proud, too fearful or too ashamed to delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche.