"I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it"
- Ernest Hemingway
About this Quote
This quote by Ernest Hemingway is a metaphor for the imaginative process. It suggests that authors need to not tire their imaginative energy, but rather take breaks and enable their concepts to renew. The "well" is a representation of the author's creativity, and the "springs" are the sources of motivation that keep it complete. Hemingway is encouraging authors to take breaks and permit their ideas to restore, instead of pressing themselves to the point of exhaustion. This guidance is still relevant today, as it is essential for writers to take breaks and allow their minds to rest in order to remain innovative and efficient. Hemingway's quote is a reminder to writers to look after their mental health and to not strain themselves.
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