TLDR: Three levels of self and others: public life, private life, and secret life.
“Write drunk, edit sober”
No, Hemingway did not say that.
Yes, I’m a fan of misattributed quotes.
This one doesn’t have as good of a story behind it though.
But you do have to wonder why things like this catch on and last.
It’s not factual, in fact, Hemingway practically proclaimed the opposite.
So maybe it’s just one of those things that resonates.
A primitive form of virality.
Maybe this one resonates because we appreciate uninhibited thoughts, but recognize the value of the polish that comes with sobriety.
Reminds me of the three levels of self and others.
The theory is that everyone has a public life, a private life, and a secret life.
Public life is what we’re willing to share openly. The you that shows up at work and out in the world with strangers. The projection of who you think you should be.
Private life is that which makes up your truth, how you act, who you want to be, and the things you’re willing to share with those closest to you.
Secret life are the things almost no one knows. The pieces of you that are most vulnerable and scary to share.
I suppose writing drunk could be like expressing your private and secret life, while editing sober would allow you to refine it to acceptable public perception.
Maybe there’s exhilaration in that—letting other people in, or letting more of yourself be known.
And maybe that’s also why the quote is so widely accepted and shared—because it resonates. Because everyone has levels.
Yourself included.
See you Monday.