Henry Miller wrote a list of 11 commandments, to be followed by himself
Brainpickings
excerpt
In 1932-1933, while working
on what would become
his first published novel,
Tropic of Cancer,
Miller devised and adhered to
a stringent daily routine
to propel his writing.
Among it was this
list of eleven commandments,
found in Henry Miller on Writing
excerpt
In 1932-1933, while working
on what would become
his first published novel,
Tropic of Cancer,
Miller devised and adhered to
a stringent daily routine
to propel his writing.
Among it was this
list of eleven commandments,
found in Henry Miller on Writing
C O M M A N D M E N T S
1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books,
add no more new material to ‘Black Spring.’
add no more new material to ‘Black Spring.’
3. Don’t be nervous.
Work calmly,
joyously,
recklessly
on whatever is in hand.
Work calmly,
joyously,
recklessly
on whatever is in hand.
4. Work according to Program
and not according to mood.
Stop
at the appointed time!
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.
rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human!
See people,
go places,
drink if you feel like it.
See people,
go places,
drink if you feel like it.
8. Don’t be a draught-horse!
Work with pleasure only.
Work with pleasure only.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it
—but go back to it next day.
Concentrate.
Narrow down.
Exclude.
—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.
Under a part titled
Daily Program,
his routine also featured
the following wonderful blueprint
for productivity,
inspiration,
and mental health:
Daily Program,
his routine also featured
the following wonderful blueprint
for productivity,
inspiration,
and mental health:
MORNINGS:
If groggy,
type notes
and allocate,
as stimulus.
type notes
and allocate,
as stimulus.
If in fine fettle, write.
AFTERNOONS:
Work of section in hand,
following plan
of section scrupulously.
No intrusions, no diversions.
Write to finish one section
at a time, for good and all.
of section scrupulously.
No intrusions, no diversions.
Write to finish one section
at a time, for good and all.
EVENINGS:
See friends.
Read in cafés.
Read in cafés.
Explore unfamiliar sections
— on foot if wet,
on bicycle if dry.
— on foot if wet,
on bicycle if dry.
Write, if in mood,
but only on Minor program.
but only on Minor program.
Paint if empty or tired.
Make Notes.
Make Charts,
Plans.
Make corrections of MS.
Make Charts,
Plans.
Make corrections of MS.
Note:
Allow sufficient time
during daylight
to make an occasional visit
to museums
or an occasional sketch
or an occasional bike ride.
Sketch in cafés
and trains
and streets.
Cut the movies!
Library for references
once a week.