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What Was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Writing Process Like?
Crafting masterpieces amidst chaos
When I first came across F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing, I couldn’t help but wonder, How did someone create such magic on paper? It felt like every sentence in The Great Gatsby was perfectly polished, every word dripping with meaning. But as I dug deeper into his life, I realized his writing process wasn’t as glamorous as his prose. In fact, it was a mix of brilliance, discipline, and, believe it or not, chaos.
If you’ve ever struggled with getting your thoughts down on paper, you’re not alone — Fitzgerald wrestled with his words, too. His writing process was far from straightforward, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.
Writing in Layers: The Perfectionist’s Approach
Fitzgerald wasn’t the type to write a single draft and call it a day. His process was painstaking. He would write, rewrite, and polish until every word shone. I think it’s safe to say he was a perfectionist when it came to his craft.
Take The Great Gatsby, for example. According to biographers, Fitzgerald wrote multiple drafts of the novel, each time revising not just sentences but entire chapters. He once said, “I write slowly, and with terrible effort.” Can you imagine working on the same sentence…
