Timeless Lessons of F Scott Fitzgerald in 7 Tips: How Studying His Works Can Help You Become a Better Author

The Enduring Influence of F. Scott Fitzgerald on Aspiring Authors

Fitzgerald once said: “You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.”

By: Elizabeth Wieck

F. Scott Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest American authors of the 20th century, with his works such as The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, and This Side of Paradise still captivating readers around the world today. While Fitzgerald’s writing style and themes are unique to his own experiences and time period, there are many ways that studying his work can help aspiring authors improve their own craft. I will explain — in 7 easy yet vital tips — some of the ways that reading and studying F. Scott Fitzgerald can make you a better author.

1. Learn the Importance of Character: Development Fitzgerald’s characters are often complex and multifaceted, with their flaws and strengths revealed gradually throughout his novels. By studying his work, aspiring authors can learn how to create realistic and dynamic characters that readers can relate to and invest in emotionally.
2. Study the Art of Dialogue: Fitzgerald was a master of dialogue, with his characters often engaging in witty banter and sharp repartee. By reading his work, aspiring authors can learn how to craft dialogue that is both natural and engaging, bringing their own characters to life in the minds of their readers.
3. Embrace the Power of Setting: Fitzgerald’s descriptions of the world his characters inhabit are often vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a particular time and place that is both nostalgic and enduring. Aspiring authors can learn from his use of setting to create a rich and immersive world for their own characters to inhabit.
4. Explore Themes of Love and Loss: Fitzgerald’s novels often explore themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. Aspiring authors can learn from his exploration of these universal themes to add depth and resonance to their own work.
5. Study the Craft of Writing: Fitzgerald’s prose is often lyrical and poetic, with a cadence and rhythm that is unique to his own style. By studying his use of language and structure, aspiring authors can learn how to refine their own writing and create works that are both elegant and engaging.
6. Learn the Art of Revision: Fitzgerald was a notorious perfectionist when it came to his own writing, often revising and editing his work extensively before publication. Aspiring authors can learn from his dedication to the craft of writing, and the importance of revising and refining their own work to create the best possible final product.
7. Be Inspired by the Human Experience: Fitzgerald’s writing often explores the human experience in all its complexities, from the joys of love and success to the pain of loss and failure. By studying his work, aspiring authors can be inspired to explore their own experiences and emotions in their writing, creating works that are honest and authentic.

The enduring influence of F. Scott Fitzgerald on aspiring authors is a testament to the power of his writing and the universality of his themes. By studying his work, aspiring authors can learn valuable lessons about character development, dialogue, setting, themes, craft, revision, and the human experience, helping them to become better writers in their own right.

As Fitzgerald himself once said, “You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” By studying his work, aspiring authors can learn how to say it in the most powerful and effective way possible.

Share in the comments your own favorite lines, passages, or books by F. Scott Fitzgerald!

I’d like to hear!