"Un écrivain devrait être aussi objectif qu'un chimiste."

The core idea here is that writers, much like chemists in a lab, should maintain a level of detachment and impartiality in their work. They should focus on presenting facts, observations, and narratives without letting personal biases or emotions skew their writing.

This concept traces back to the early 20th century, when writers like Ernest Hemingway emphasized the importance of objectivity and clarity in writing. They believed that just like a chemist must observe and record his experiments accurately to understand the true nature of a chemical reaction, a writer must strive for the same level of precision and neutrality.

Let's bring this to life with a real-world example. Think about investigative journalism. Imagine a journalist uncovering a corruption scandal in a large corporation. If they approach their writing with a predetermined bias, either overly sympathetic to the corporation or overly critical, they could misrepresent facts and mislead their audience. Instead, by maintaining objectivity—observing and reporting facts without personal bias—they ensure their readers get a truthful and clear picture of the situation.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your own writing? Start by consciously separating your feelings from the facts. When you're writing, whether it's an article, a novel, or even a report, ask yourself: Am I letting my personal opinions color my interpretation of the facts? If the answer is yes, take a step back. Focus on the who, what, when, where, and why. Stick to evidence and let that guide your narrative.

Picture this: You're writing a memoir about your high school years. It's easy to get caught up in the emotions—those intense friendships, the heartbreaks, the triumphs. But if you want your readers to truly understand and connect with your experience, try stepping back and describing events as plainly and accurately as possible. Describe the scene, the actions, the words exchanged. Let your readers feel the emotion through the vividness of your descriptions, not through your emotional commentary.

Think back to when you had a misunderstanding with a friend. How did it feel when you both calmly laid out what happened, without accusing each other of bad intentions? By being objective, you likely found common ground or at least understood the situation better. The same principle applies to writing. By being as objective as a chemist, you present a clear, unbiased view, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.

Imagine you're sitting in a cozy coffee shop, talking to a friend about this. You'd say something like, "Look, when you're writing, try to step back and just observe. Imagine you're a fly on the wall. Or think of yourself as a scientist noting down what happens in an experiment. It's all about seeing things as they are, not as we want them to be."

This approach doesn't strip away the humanity from writing; it enhances it. By being objective, you respect your readers' intelligence and allow them to engage with the material on a deeper level. So next time you write, channel your inner chemist—be precise, be clear, and above all, be objective.