In order to write about life, first you must live it

 

 In Order to Write About Life, First You Must Live It 

To write about life, first you have to live it" means "Before you write about anything, you have to experience it, you have to live it.  Experience that matters in every body's life and if you could not live, you will not able to know about life. If you honestly look in the mirror in the morning and ask yourself, "What if this is the last day of my life?," you will truly grasp what this statement means. What do I want to do with it?

"You will undoubtedly be correct one day if you cherish every day as though it were your last."  It is accurately said and quite truthful.  One does not put things off until a later time.  He opposes putting off even the most basic tasks.  Since he or she only has one life to live, he or she wants to make the most of it and achieve all of his or her goals.  He or she won't feel guilty about not doing something that they really wanted to do before passing away.  He had a happy existence on this planet.

When you're a kid or adolescent, you can't wait to grow up and establish your own set of guidelines. Getting close to freedom seems to take an eternity.   The next phase is when you are able to purchase a home of your own and eventually leave your parents' nest.  Everything appears to be going well until the costs start to pile up and you have to forgo fun nights out to cover the expenses. You might get married and start a family.  If you are the father, you will put in a lot of effort to support your wife, kids, house, food, clothes, and many other expenses.

There’s a famous quote often attributed to Ernest Hemingway: "In order to write about life, first you must live it." At its core, this statement highlights an essential truth for writers, artists, and storytellers—authenticity comes from experience.  

You cannot truly capture the essence of joy, sorrow, love, or adventure if you haven’t felt them yourself. Great writing isn’t just about stringing beautiful words together; it’s about conveying emotions, struggles, and triumphs that resonate with readers. And to do that, you must step away from the desk, immerse yourself in the world, and live deeply.  

To earn more money, you will need to put in more hours.  You've been missing your kids growing up all this time.  Because you are constantly at work, the wife feels neglected and grows weary of getting little to no attention from you.   You're exhausted when you arrive home and need a shower, some quiet, food, and a place to sleep. When your wife decides she can no longer stand being alone, she leaves with the kids.  You're left on your own, wondering what in the world went wrong.  Our style of life is different.  over our walks, we talk to ourselves, and over meals, we plan things like "when am I going to study?"  Additionally, there are a lot of parallel acts occurring, all of which are plainly fictional because in reality, parallel actions are impossible.  Multitasking is not possible in existence.  "One thing at a time," it states.  For you, that is the first thing.  A single item at a time.  And whatever is going on, that one thing in particular, has to be happening completely.

A good life is one that is joyful, purposeful, and full of fulfillment.  It is a way of living that is in line with one's beliefs, objectives, and interests.  It is a way of living that enhances one's own and other people's quality of life.  It is a resilient, peaceful, and well-balanced life.

Possessing a feeling of direction and purpose.  A good existence is driven by a clear understanding of one's goals and motivations rather than being random or aimless.  A good existence is dynamic and ever-changing rather than static or complacent.

Possessing healthy connections.  A good life is surrounded and supported by people who share one's values, interests, and goals rather than being alone or isolated.  A good life is one that is giving and caring rather than self-centered or exploitative.

Personal development.  A good existence is flexible and adaptive rather than fixed or inflexible.  A decent existence is inquisitive and modest rather than naive or haughty.  A good existence is brave and self-assured rather than fearful or humiliated.

Feeling content and joyful.  A good existence is lively and cheerful rather than dreary or unhappy.  A good life is autonomous and content rather than dependent or unhappy.  A good existence is cheerful and upbeat rather than gloomy or jaded.  Both happiness and tragedy are a part of life. They are referred to be life's ups and downs. Life would be a never-ending battle that may be won at any moment without them. Finding happiness in one's life is essential to overcoming grief.

A good life is one that complies with the values and ethics of the community.  A good life is characterized by values like honesty, integrity, accountability, and adherence to the law.  Humans strive for self-actualization by pursuing material and intellectual advantages, yet these things cannot make them good; instead, they will make them appear to be hardworking people.

Although the wealthy are wealthy due to their diligent nature and are able to enjoy the nice things in life, which makes them happy and content, they are not good because of this.  While a rich person may lead a nice life filled with pleasure and happiness but a lousy moral code, a poor person may lead a wretched existence while having a good moral code.  Therefore, pleasure and satisfaction brought about by money cannot make life excellent when the word "good" refers to qualities.

You must start afresh and refrain from exerting too much effort to please other people.

 Why Living Fuels Great Writing 

1. Authenticity in Emotion 

   - Readers can sense when writing is genuine. If you’ve never felt heartbreak, your description of it may fall flat. 

   - Example: Writers like Charles Bukowski and Maya Angelou wrote raw, powerful prose because they drew from real pain and joy. 

 

2. Observation Sharpens Detail 

   - Living life means observing—people, nature, conflicts, and small moments. These details enrich your writing. 

   - Example: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is filled with real human emotions and quirks she observed in life. 

 

3. Experiences Provide Unique Perspectives 

   - Travel, failure, love, and loss shape your voice. No two people live the same way, so your stories will be distinct. 

   - Example: Jack Kerouac’s On the Road was born from his real cross-country adventures. 

 

 How to Live Fully (So You Can Write Better) 

If you want your writing to pulse with life, you must: 

 

✔ Embrace New Experiences 

   - Travel, try new hobbies, meet different people. Even small adventures (like a solo café visit) can inspire stories. 

 

✔ Feel Deeply 

   - Don’t shy away from emotions—heartbreak, anger, euphoria. They are your greatest material. 

 

✔ Observe Relentlessly 

   - Watch how people talk, how sunlight hits a building, how silence feels. Keep a journal. 

 

✔ Step Out of Comfort Zones 

   - Take risks. Fail. Succeed. These are the moments that shape compelling narratives. 

 

 Writing Tips to Channel Your Experiences 

- Show, Don’t Tell – Instead of saying "She was sad," describe her trembling hands or the way she stared blankly at old photos. 

- Use Sensory Details – Bring scenes to life with smells, sounds, and textures from your memories. 

- Write with Honesty – Even fiction needs emotional truth. Pull from your own joys and struggles. 

 

 Famous Writers Who Lived Before They Wrote 

- Ernest Hemingway – War correspondent, adventurer, bullfight enthusiast. His life was as bold as his prose. 

- Cheryl Strayed – Wrote Wild after her real-life Pacific Crest Trail journey. 

- Hunter S. Thompson – His chaotic, immersive lifestyle birthed Gonzo journalism.