Precision and Passion in the Craft of Writing

Precision and Passion in the Craft of Writing

Precision and Passion in the Craft of Writing

Posted on 09/27/2024 Evan Swensen
Precision and Passion in the Craft of Writing

Gustave Flaubert is best remembered for his precise, methodical approach to writing, which he believed was essential to creating literature that resonated with readers. His most famous advice, “Be regular and orderly in your life so that you may be violent and original in your work,”—reveals a philosophy deeply rooted in discipline and careful craftsmanship. Yet, Flaubert’s insights into writing extend beyond this one statement. For Flaubert, writing was a pursuit of perfection through exactness, patience, and the ruthless elimination of anything that didn’t serve the story.

Flaubert, often described as an obsessive perfectionist, wrote slowly and painstakingly. He would spend entire days crafting a single paragraph, striving to find the exact word to convey his meaning perfectly. He believed that le mot juste—the “right word”—was the foundation of great writing. He once said, “It is easy to be brilliant. The difficult thing is to be precise.” Flaubert’s relentless pursuit of precision is a reminder that writing is not merely about telling a story but about telling it in the most exact, most truthful way possible. For him, a writer’s job was to shape and refine the language until it captured the essence of the world he was trying to depict.

His masterpiece, Madame Bovary, shows this commitment to precision. Every sentence in the novel was crafted with care, often rewritten multiple times until Flaubert felt it was perfect. The novel’s detailed, realistic depiction of provincial life—its mundane routines, its hidden desires—owes much to Flaubert’s exacting standards. His meticulous approach gave the work emotional depth and complexity, making even the smallest details resonate with meaning.

Flaubert’s focus on precision wasn’t limited to finding the right words. He believed that structure and form were just as crucial to the success of a piece. He argued that a story should unfold naturally, with each scene, each character, and each sentence building on the one before it. “An author in his book must be like God in the universe, present everywhere and visible nowhere.” This statement speaks to Flaubert’s belief in the invisible hand of the writer. A well-constructed story should flow so seamlessly that the reader becomes completely immersed in the novel’s world, unaware of the author’s presence behind the scenes.

For modern writers, Flaubert’s approach may seem daunting. The idea of spending days on a single sentence or revising a scene endlessly may not align with today’s fast-paced literary market. But there is something to be said for slowing down, for taking the time to refine and polish your work until it achieves perfection. Flaubert’s advice reminds us that good writing isn’t rushed—it results from careful thought, revision, and an unyielding commitment to precision.

Another critical element of Flaubert’s advice is patience. He believed that writing wasn’t about producing pages quickly but about producing quality work, even if it took years. He once spent six years writing Sentimental Education, a novel that explores a young man’s disillusionment during the 1848 Revolution in France. It was a laborious process, but Flaubert was willing to take the time necessary to get the story right. His dedication to the craft meant he never settled for less than his best.

For writers today, this focus on patience is one of the most valuable lessons Flaubert offers. In a world where writers are often pressured to produce quickly, Flaubert reminds us that time is one of our greatest tools. He believed good writing should be labored over, revised, and reworked until it reaches its full potential. This doesn’t mean that every writer needs to spend years on a single project, but it does suggest that thinking critically about your work and revising it thoroughly is essential to creating something lasting.

Finally, Flaubert was adamant that writers should avoid clichés and the temptation to pander to their audience. He believed a writer’s primary responsibility was to the story’s truth, not to what was popular or easy. In a letter to a friend, he wrote, “You must—since you must—write what you feel is the truth, with a sense of passion and precision, even if it goes against current literary fashions.” For Flaubert, this meant not catering to popular tastes but remaining true to the work. This dedication to authenticity, even at the risk of alienating readers or critics, was central to Flaubert’s writing philosophy.

In today’s world, where writers may feel pressure to conform to trends or produce content that fits neatly into genre categories, Flaubert’s words are a powerful reminder to stay true to your voice. According to Flaubert, writing is not about chasing success but expressing the truth as you see it in the most precise and disciplined way possible.

Ultimately, Flaubert’s advice to writers—focus on precision, patience, and truth—remains timeless. His methodical, disciplined approach may seem rigid at first. Still, it allows for a depth of creativity and originality that can only come from a fully committed writer. Flaubert’s words remind us that, as writers, our greatest tool is not our inspiration but our discipline—the ability to work steadily, to revise tirelessly, and to always strive for the elusive perfection of le mot juste.

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