good morning believe nation today we’re going to talk about the top 10 writing
going to talk about the top 10 writing
going to talk about the top 10 writing tips and advice from famous authors the
tips and advice from famous authors the
tips and advice from famous authors the great thing about our profession is
great thing about our profession is
great thing about our profession is there are no rules think for a minute
there are no rules think for a minute
there are no rules think for a minute what it’s like if you want to be a
what it’s like if you want to be a
what it’s like if you want to be a classic ballet dancer or if you want to
classic ballet dancer or if you want to
classic ballet dancer or if you want to be a great violinist or if you want to
be a great violinist or if you want to
be a great violinist or if you want to be a symphony conductor or if you want
be a symphony conductor or if you want
be a symphony conductor or if you want to be a painter you want to be a movie
to be a painter you want to be a movie
to be a painter you want to be a movie maker all those fields involve communal
maker all those fields involve communal
maker all those fields involve communal apprenticeship personal instruction time
apprenticeship personal instruction time
apprenticeship personal instruction time practicing many many rules many many
practicing many many rules many many
practicing many many rules many many ways to do it but a lot of rules and
ways to do it but a lot of rules and
ways to do it but a lot of rules and rules involved involved with the people
rules involved involved with the people
rules involved involved with the people our profession the profession of being a
our profession the profession of being a
our profession the profession of being a writer doesn’t involve any of that all
writer doesn’t involve any of that all
writer doesn’t involve any of that all you need is a computer and a word
you need is a computer and a word
you need is a computer and a word processing program or a typewriter in
processing program or a typewriter in
processing program or a typewriter in sandpaper and you can create your whole
sandpaper and you can create your whole
sandpaper and you can create your whole novel you can create a war and peace or
novel you can create a war and peace or
novel you can create a war and peace or you can create the old man in the sea
you can create the old man in the sea
you can create the old man in the sea you know a short lyrical novel or a
you know a short lyrical novel or a
you know a short lyrical novel or a great big cider you can do it all right
great big cider you can do it all right
great big cider you can do it all right there at the keyboard you make it happen
there at the keyboard you make it happen
there at the keyboard you make it happen and it’s it’s the most wonderful
and it’s it’s the most wonderful
and it’s it’s the most wonderful profession because you can begin it at
profession because you can begin it at
profession because you can begin it at any time you can do that writing
any time you can do that writing
any time you can do that writing anywhere you can do it in a cafe with
anywhere you can do it in a cafe with
anywhere you can do it in a cafe with your laptop you can do it at a kitchen
your laptop you can do it at a kitchen
your laptop you can do it at a kitchen table you can do it in a garage office
table you can do it in a garage office
table you can do it in a garage office and every year somebody makes it to the
and every year somebody makes it to the
and every year somebody makes it to the bestseller list who started out that way
bestseller list who started out that way
bestseller list who started out that way in their bedroom writing late at night
in their bedroom writing late at night
in their bedroom writing late at night or at the kitchen table it’s always been
or at the kitchen table it’s always been
or at the kitchen table it’s always been a profession where Outsiders can easily
a profession where Outsiders can easily
a profession where Outsiders can easily break in because it doesn’t require
break in because it doesn’t require
break in because it doesn’t require equipment it doesn’t require tutelage
equipment it doesn’t require tutelage
equipment it doesn’t require tutelage doesn’t require advancement amongst a
doesn’t require advancement amongst a
doesn’t require advancement amongst a group of people you do it all yourself
how do you start writing a book
how do you start writing a book well the starting point is you look
well the starting point is you look
well the starting point is you look within yourself and you ask what message
within yourself and you ask what message
within yourself and you ask what message do you have that could really benefit or
do you have that could really benefit or
do you have that could really benefit or help or change other people what message
help or change other people what message
help or change other people what message do you have that you would want your
do you have that you would want your
do you have that you would want your children to know to be able to live a
children to know to be able to live a
children to know to be able to live a better life what message do you have
better life what message do you have
better life what message do you have inside that burns inside of you you you
inside that burns inside of you you you
inside that burns inside of you you you like to talk about it and and explain it
like to talk about it and and explain it
like to talk about it and and explain it then when you when you see articles in
then when you when you see articles in
then when you when you see articles in the newspaper about your message you’ve
the newspaper about your message you’ve
the newspaper about your message you’ve got an opinion you you didn’t want to
got an opinion you you didn’t want to
got an opinion you you didn’t want to say or something comment something this
say or something comment something this
say or something comment something this is where you start it’s got to come out
is where you start it’s got to come out
is where you start it’s got to come out of you and then what you have to do is
of you and then what you have to do is
of you and then what you have to do is remember that the great
remember that the great
remember that the great rule of life is prioritizing if you have
rule of life is prioritizing if you have
rule of life is prioritizing if you have so many ideas but you’ve got to select
so many ideas but you’ve got to select
so many ideas but you’ve got to select one and then what you do is you write at
one and then what you do is you write at
one and then what you do is you write at the top of a page piece of paper what
the top of a page piece of paper what
the top of a page piece of paper what are all the things I would want to talk
are all the things I would want to talk
are all the things I would want to talk about or include in this book if I was
about or include in this book if I was
about or include in this book if I was going to write it and then you just
going to write it and then you just
going to write it and then you just simply write your answer to this
simply write your answer to this
simply write your answer to this question well I want to mention this and
question well I want to mention this and
question well I want to mention this and I want to mention that and what I
I want to mention that and what I
I want to mention that and what I mentioned this statistic and this quote
mentioned this statistic and this quote
mentioned this statistic and this quote and this story and you just cursed or
and this story and you just cursed or
and this story and you just cursed or start writing when I start to write a
start writing when I start to write a
start writing when I start to write a book this is my technique and I’ll end
book this is my technique and I’ll end
book this is my technique and I’ll end up sometimes with three long pages
up sometimes with three long pages
up sometimes with three long pages points Oh point point point point this
points Oh point point point point this
points Oh point point point point this is the starting point it’s almost like
is the starting point it’s almost like
is the starting point it’s almost like starting off down a hill when you’re
starting off down a hill when you’re
starting off down a hill when you’re skiing your stems start to move faster
skiing your stems start to move faster
skiing your stems start to move faster and faster I was just wondering what
and faster I was just wondering what
and faster I was just wondering what advice you give young people were
advice you give young people were
advice you give young people were considering careers as writers
aha I think you are right along those
aha I think you are right along those are really the two major things you
are really the two major things you
are really the two major things you can’t put it off you have to you have to
can’t put it off you have to you have to
can’t put it off you have to you have to really do the work you have to be you
really do the work you have to be you
really do the work you have to be you have to be well read I don’t have any
have to be well read I don’t have any
have to be well read I don’t have any patience with people who say oh man I
patience with people who say oh man I
patience with people who say oh man I want to be right about I don’t have time
want to be right about I don’t have time
want to be right about I don’t have time to read but if you don’t have time to
to read but if you don’t have time to
to read but if you don’t have time to read you can’t be a writer
read you can’t be a writer
read you can’t be a writer you’ve got read just about everything so
you’ve got read just about everything so
you’ve got read just about everything so I think that’s the most important thing
I think that’s the most important thing
I think that’s the most important thing and then you have to you have to read
and then you have to you have to read
and then you have to you have to read and I mean you have to write in order to
and I mean you have to write in order to
and I mean you have to write in order to develop in style the creative style of
develop in style the creative style of
develop in style the creative style of your own and when it comes to the
your own and when it comes to the
your own and when it comes to the reading part of it there’s a magic
reading part of it there’s a magic
reading part of it there’s a magic moment a really magic moment if you read
moment a really magic moment if you read
moment a really magic moment if you read it up it will always come to you if you
it up it will always come to you if you
it up it will always come to you if you want to be a writer where you put down
want to be a writer where you put down
want to be a writer where you put down some book and say this really sucks I
some book and say this really sucks I
some book and say this really sucks I can do better
a book if it’s going to succeed at all
a book if it’s going to succeed at all if it’s going to have any chance of
if it’s going to have any chance of
if it’s going to have any chance of succeeding
succeeding
succeeding it’s got to be vibrant and alive and
it’s got to be vibrant and alive and
it’s got to be vibrant and alive and it’s got to have a beating heart
it’s got to have a beating heart
it’s got to have a beating heart it’s got to be organic and and then it
it’s got to be organic and and then it
it’s got to be organic and and then it stands a chance if it’s not any of those
stands a chance if it’s not any of those
stands a chance if it’s not any of those things and it’s got no chance I’m not
things and it’s got no chance I’m not
things and it’s got no chance I’m not saying it’s guaranteed success because
saying it’s guaranteed success because
saying it’s guaranteed success because that’s in the lap of the gods but to get
that’s in the lap of the gods but to get
that’s in the lap of the gods but to get to the starting line you got to have a
to the starting line you got to have a
to the starting line you got to have a vitality to the book and the only way
vitality to the book and the only way
vitality to the book and the only way you can get that vitality is to have one
you can get that vitality is to have one
you can get that vitality is to have one mind working on it which is yours if you
mind working on it which is yours if you
mind working on it which is yours if you sit down to write a book and you say
sit down to write a book and you say
sit down to write a book and you say this is what I really want to do but
this is what I really want to do but
this is what I really want to do but this author says do it this way and that
this author says do it this way and that
this author says do it this way and that author says no do it this way and the
author says no do it this way and the
author says no do it this way and the third author says well what about this
third author says well what about this
third author says well what about this if you start doing it by committee
if you start doing it by committee
if you start doing it by committee you lost there has no vitality it just
you lost there has no vitality it just
you lost there has no vitality it just comes out like like a cardboard thing
comes out like like a cardboard thing
comes out like like a cardboard thing and so the best advice for a budding
and so the best advice for a budding
and so the best advice for a budding writer is ignore all advice I have some
writer is ignore all advice I have some
writer is ignore all advice I have some basic advice about how to approach
basic advice about how to approach
basic advice about how to approach writing but you must remember what I
writing but you must remember what I
writing but you must remember what I said there are no rules so if what I say
said there are no rules so if what I say
said there are no rules so if what I say isn’t useful to you forget it
isn’t useful to you forget it
isn’t useful to you forget it but what has always helped me was
but what has always helped me was
but what has always helped me was something a friend of mine Floyd Salas a
something a friend of mine Floyd Salas a
something a friend of mine Floyd Salas a novelist told me in Berkley years ago he
novelist told me in Berkley years ago he
novelist told me in Berkley years ago he said go where the pain is when you write
said go where the pain is when you write
said go where the pain is when you write go where the pain is and I think what
go where the pain is and I think what
go where the pain is and I think what Floyd meant was right about what hurts
Floyd meant was right about what hurts
Floyd meant was right about what hurts go back to the memory that causes you
go back to the memory that causes you
go back to the memory that causes you conflict and pain and almost makes you
conflict and pain and almost makes you
conflict and pain and almost makes you you know makes you not able to breathe
you know makes you not able to breathe
you know makes you not able to breathe and and write about it explore it in the
and and write about it explore it in the
and and write about it explore it in the privacy of your room with that keyboard
privacy of your room with that keyboard
privacy of your room with that keyboard go where that pain is don’t be afraid of
go where that pain is don’t be afraid of
go where that pain is don’t be afraid of that well I would add another rule to
that well I would add another rule to
that well I would add another rule to Floyd go where the pleasure is go where
Floyd go where the pleasure is go where
Floyd go where the pleasure is go where you really want to be in writing write
you really want to be in writing write
you really want to be in writing write the exciting thing that you want to
the exciting thing that you want to
the exciting thing that you want to write write the book that’s interesting
write write the book that’s interesting
write write the book that’s interesting to you if you find that you’re bored
to you if you find that you’re bored
to you if you find that you’re bored with the book don’t give it up and put
with the book don’t give it up and put
with the book don’t give it up and put it aside think okay what do I have to do
it aside think okay what do I have to do
it aside think okay what do I have to do to this book to make it interesting to
to this book to make it interesting to
to this book to make it interesting to me should I maybe change point of view
me should I maybe change point of view
me should I maybe change point of view should my character have a revelation
should my character have a revelation
should my character have a revelation should he just jump up and do something
should he just jump up and do something
should he just jump up and do something completely different I mean what do I
completely different I mean what do I
completely different I mean what do I have to do to make it exciting to me and
have to do to make it exciting to me and
have to do to make it exciting to me and and if you keep doing that with the book
and if you keep doing that with the book
and if you keep doing that with the book if you keep making exciting
if you keep making exciting
if you keep making exciting citing to you if you keep doing what’s
citing to you if you keep doing what’s
citing to you if you keep doing what’s interesting to you pretty soon you’ll be
interesting to you pretty soon you’ll be
interesting to you pretty soon you’ll be getting I’ve been in the morning and
getting I’ve been in the morning and
getting I’ve been in the morning and thinking I’ve got to get to work because
thinking I’ve got to get to work because
thinking I’ve got to get to work because I want to find out what happens I mean
I want to find out what happens I mean
I want to find out what happens I mean that certainly is what happens to me
that certainly is what happens to me
that certainly is what happens to me when I’m writing I’m writing away you
when I’m writing I’m writing away you
when I’m writing I’m writing away you know and I get up and I think oh my god
know and I get up and I think oh my god
know and I get up and I think oh my god I have to know what Ruben is going to do
I have to know what Ruben is going to do
I have to know what Ruben is going to do up at night at point I I left all the
up at night at point I I left all the
up at night at point I I left all the characters you know doing this and that
characters you know doing this and that
characters you know doing this and that I have to know what’s going to what’s
I have to know what’s going to what’s
I have to know what’s going to what’s going to happen look what we’re going to
going to happen look what we’re going to
going to happen look what we’re going to find out and what we find out has to be
find out and what we find out has to be
find out and what we find out has to be exciting to me and if you follow that
exciting to me and if you follow that
exciting to me and if you follow that rule at least if I follow it a book
rule at least if I follow it a book
rule at least if I follow it a book results and that book is exciting to me
results and that book is exciting to me
results and that book is exciting to me and it’s exciting to other people not
and it’s exciting to other people not
and it’s exciting to other people not all of them for every every book I’ve
all of them for every every book I’ve
all of them for every every book I’ve written has gotten reviews on Amazon
written has gotten reviews on Amazon
written has gotten reviews on Amazon that say this is the worst book ever
that say this is the worst book ever
that say this is the worst book ever published this woman does not know how
published this woman does not know how
published this woman does not know how to write so you know you can’t bat a
to write so you know you can’t bat a
to write so you know you can’t bat a thousand you can’t win them all but if
thousand you can’t win them all but if
thousand you can’t win them all but if you follow that advice I think you will
you follow that advice I think you will
you follow that advice I think you will turn out the book that you yourself are
turn out the book that you yourself are
turn out the book that you yourself are proud of the book that you love and the
proud of the book that you love and the
proud of the book that you love and the book that you want to take out into the
book that you want to take out into the
book that you want to take out into the world I often get asked by younger
world I often get asked by younger
world I often get asked by younger readers what I would advise if you want
readers what I would advise if you want
readers what I would advise if you want to be a writer this is the way I did it
to be a writer this is the way I did it
to be a writer this is the way I did it so that’s the only advice I can give
so that’s the only advice I can give
so that’s the only advice I can give you’ve got to read as much as you
you’ve got to read as much as you
you’ve got to read as much as you possibly can because that’s the best way
possibly can because that’s the best way
possibly can because that’s the best way to recognize good writing and to learn
to recognize good writing and to learn
to recognize good writing and to learn what makes bad writing and those are
what makes bad writing and those are
what makes bad writing and those are very good things you’ll probably go
very good things you’ll probably go
very good things you’ll probably go through a phase where you imitate your
through a phase where you imitate your
through a phase where you imitate your favorite writers that’s perfectly okay
favorite writers that’s perfectly okay
favorite writers that’s perfectly okay that’s another learning process you
that’s another learning process you
that’s another learning process you resign yourself to writing lots and lots
resign yourself to writing lots and lots
resign yourself to writing lots and lots of rubbish you just got to write that
of rubbish you just got to write that
of rubbish you just got to write that out of your system and sooner or later
out of your system and sooner or later
out of your system and sooner or later you’ll hit what you know you really
you’ll hit what you know you really
you’ll hit what you know you really should be doing and what is your genre
should be doing and what is your genre
should be doing and what is your genre and perseverance you’ve got to persevere
and perseverance you’ve got to persevere
and perseverance you’ve got to persevere because it is a it’s a career with a lot
because it is a it’s a career with a lot
because it is a it’s a career with a lot of knock backs but the rewards are huge
of knock backs but the rewards are huge
of knock backs but the rewards are huge I don’t mean in the sense that if that’s
I don’t mean in the sense that if that’s
I don’t mean in the sense that if that’s what you really want to do to be able to
what you really want to do to be able to
what you really want to do to be able to do it lifelong is the best thing in the
do it lifelong is the best thing in the
do it lifelong is the best thing in the world very rewarding but it’s not a
world very rewarding but it’s not a
world very rewarding but it’s not a career for people who are easily
career for people who are easily
career for people who are easily discouraged that’s for sure and to their
discouraged that’s for sure and to their
discouraged that’s for sure and to their parents don’t tell them it’s unrealistic
parents don’t tell them it’s unrealistic
parents don’t tell them it’s unrealistic never to never say that because even if
never to never say that because even if
never to never say that because even if they’re not published writing well
they’re not published writing well
they’re not published writing well writing is the passion of my life so
writing is the passion of my life so
writing is the passion of my life so it’s an important thing to do the key
it’s an important thing to do the key
it’s an important thing to do the key like to meet
like to meet
like to meet your writing is – this is it which is if
your writing is – this is it which is if
your writing is – this is it which is if you guys want to write on once to write
you guys want to write on once to write
you guys want to write on once to write is my first thing is I assume no one
is my first thing is I assume no one
is my first thing is I assume no one cares whatever I’m writing Madison no
cares whatever I’m writing Madison no
cares whatever I’m writing Madison no one cares about what I’m writing about
one cares about what I’m writing about
one cares about what I’m writing about nobody cares about me nobody cares about
nobody cares about me nobody cares about
nobody cares about me nobody cares about what I have to say no one cares about
what I have to say no one cares about
what I have to say no one cares about the things I care about and if you just
the things I care about and if you just
the things I care about and if you just go from the premise that nobody cares
go from the premise that nobody cares
go from the premise that nobody cares and how can I make them care from the
and how can I make them care from the
and how can I make them care from the first sentence from the first paragraph
first sentence from the first paragraph
first sentence from the first paragraph you know at the end of that chapter how
you know at the end of that chapter how
you know at the end of that chapter how I’m going to make them turn the next
I’m going to make them turn the next
I’m going to make them turn the next chapter to me my main goal is to keep it
chapter to me my main goal is to keep it
chapter to me my main goal is to keep it interesting for the people and assume no
interesting for the people and assume no
interesting for the people and assume no one’s interested what is inspiration
one’s interested what is inspiration
one’s interested what is inspiration inspiration is breathing right so you
inspiration is breathing right so you
inspiration is breathing right so you put what is outside inside of you and
put what is outside inside of you and
put what is outside inside of you and then you expire so inspiration something
then you expire so inspiration something
then you expire so inspiration something that everybody has not only writers
that everybody has not only writers
that everybody has not only writers everybody has while you or she write do
everybody has while you or she write do
everybody has while you or she write do things is love it is connected to this
things is love it is connected to this
things is love it is connected to this energy that we don’t understand we can
energy that we don’t understand we can
energy that we don’t understand we can explain explain explain but it is
explain explain explain but it is
explain explain explain but it is connected with the energy of love if you
connected with the energy of love if you
connected with the energy of love if you enjoy what you are doing you are going
enjoy what you are doing you are going
enjoy what you are doing you are going to be inspired to share with other
to be inspired to share with other
to be inspired to share with other people
people
people however inspiration you cannot guide
however inspiration you cannot guide
however inspiration you cannot guide inspiration inspiration is a boat and
inspiration inspiration is a boat and
inspiration inspiration is a boat and you are in this boat in a sea so that is
you are in this boat in a sea so that is
you are in this boat in a sea so that is gigantic sea and your boat is taking you
gigantic sea and your boat is taking you
gigantic sea and your boat is taking you in spirits guiding you in spirits as
in spirits guiding you in spirits as
in spirits guiding you in spirits as this wind that is guiding you towards
this wind that is guiding you towards
this wind that is guiding you towards your destiny if you try to guide
your destiny if you try to guide
your destiny if you try to guide inspiration you’re lost you can do it of
inspiration you’re lost you can do it of
inspiration you’re lost you can do it of course but then go and write a technical
course but then go and write a technical
course but then go and write a technical book what you need to do what at least I
book what you need to do what at least I
book what you need to do what at least I need to do when I sit down to write is
need to do when I sit down to write is
need to do when I sit down to write is to have another idea as I mentioned
to have another idea as I mentioned
to have another idea as I mentioned my previous podcast but that is allow
my previous podcast but that is allow
my previous podcast but that is allow myself to be guided by just overall
myself to be guided by just overall
myself to be guided by just overall overall idea I go into this boat of
overall idea I go into this boat of
overall idea I go into this boat of inspiration sit here every morning when
inspiration sit here every morning when
inspiration sit here every morning when I’m writing a new book
I’m writing a new book
I’m writing a new book when I was writing a laugh normally I
when I was writing a laugh normally I
when I was writing a laugh normally I started at 11 o’clock in the morning and
started at 11 o’clock in the morning and
started at 11 o’clock in the morning and then of course I had the ideas of the
then of course I had the ideas of the
then of course I had the ideas of the previous night where I was upstairs in
previous night where I was upstairs in
previous night where I was upstairs in my bed thinking tomorrow I need to write
my bed thinking tomorrow I need to write
my bed thinking tomorrow I need to write about this Jesus isn’t this and I took a
about this Jesus isn’t this and I took a
about this Jesus isn’t this and I took a lot of floats then I sit here I read
lot of floats then I sit here I read
lot of floats then I sit here I read this note and I said oh let’s let’s try
this note and I said oh let’s let’s try
this note and I said oh let’s let’s try to do this but I know it’s not going to
to do this but I know it’s not going to
to do this but I know it’s not going to work and then you start using our notes
work and then you start using our notes
work and then you start using our notes to write the next page the next chapter
to write the next page the next chapter
to write the next page the next chapter but the notes are not connected with
but the notes are not connected with
but the notes are not connected with your conspiracy or my expedition so
your conspiracy or my expedition so
your conspiracy or my expedition so after half an hour trying to do this or
after half an hour trying to do this or
after half an hour trying to do this or that
that
that I finally get into this boat because you
I finally get into this boat because you
I finally get into this boat because you need to discipline also to go into this
need to discipline also to go into this
need to discipline also to go into this boat and I allow myself to be guided but
boat and I allow myself to be guided but
boat and I allow myself to be guided but first even though I’m not a fiction
first even though I’m not a fiction
first even though I’m not a fiction writer at this point who knows maybe
writer at this point who knows maybe
writer at this point who knows maybe I’ll try that and make a mess of things
I’ll try that and make a mess of things
I’ll try that and make a mess of things but bird by bird first for all the
but bird by bird first for all the
but bird by bird first for all the psychological trials and tribulations
psychological trials and tribulations
psychological trials and tribulations word my bird is the book that I read
word my bird is the book that I read
word my bird is the book that I read when I feel like I’m going into the
when I feel like I’m going into the
when I feel like I’m going into the abyss or having a complete meltdown it’s
abyss or having a complete meltdown it’s
abyss or having a complete meltdown it’s a wonderful book for getting out of that
a wonderful book for getting out of that
a wonderful book for getting out of that but I also would say like when you’re
but I also would say like when you’re
but I also would say like when you’re stuck when you’re not sure what to write
stuck when you’re not sure what to write
stuck when you’re not sure what to write tell a story so you like show and don’t
tell a story so you like show and don’t
tell a story so you like show and don’t describe it show it so if you’re like oh
describe it show it so if you’re like oh
describe it show it so if you’re like oh how should I describe this point do this
how should I describe this point do this
how should I describe this point do this do that like bullet point this bullet
do that like bullet point this bullet
do that like bullet point this bullet point that give an example give a story
point that give an example give a story
point that give an example give a story and just so what’s an example of how you
and just so what’s an example of how you
and just so what’s an example of how you did that in the 4-hour workweek uh it
did that in the 4-hour workweek uh it
did that in the 4-hour workweek uh it well any time I hit a sticking point
well any time I hit a sticking point
well any time I hit a sticking point which was very very very often I would
which was very very very often I would
which was very very very often I would there were a couple things that I would
there were a couple things that I would
there were a couple things that I would I would ask myself who whose story can I
I would ask myself who whose story can I
I would ask myself who whose story can I tell like who embody is this point or
tell like who embody is this point or
tell like who embody is this point or this principle I mean Jack
this principle I mean Jack
this principle I mean Jack obviously is a mastiff of this style of
obviously is a mastiff of this style of
obviously is a mastiff of this style of storytelling and secondly po bronson is
storytelling and secondly po bronson is
storytelling and secondly po bronson is a great writer and has written many many
a great writer and has written many many
a great writer and has written many many good books at one point I heard him on a
good books at one point I heard him on a
good books at one point I heard him on a panel and somebody in the crowd a stone
panel and somebody in the crowd a stone
panel and somebody in the crowd a stone about writer’s block and and he said
about writer’s block and and he said
about writer’s block and and he said well when I get writer’s block I think
well when I get writer’s block I think
well when I get writer’s block I think about what makes me really really angry
about what makes me really really angry
about what makes me really really angry and I read about that and it’s actually
and I read about that and it’s actually
and I read about that and it’s actually fantastic advice if you write about what
fantastic advice if you write about what
fantastic advice if you write about what most frustrates you why it frustrates
most frustrates you why it frustrates
most frustrates you why it frustrates you and then like what you did about it
you and then like what you did about it
you and then like what you did about it uh you usually come up with something
uh you usually come up with something
uh you usually come up with something good and I would also emphasize so I
good and I would also emphasize so I
good and I would also emphasize so I have a lot of thoughts on this but like
have a lot of thoughts on this but like
have a lot of thoughts on this but like the book is the most important thing you
the book is the most important thing you
the book is the most important thing you need to bake the product the market
need to bake the product the market
need to bake the product the market getting into a good book like that’s
getting into a good book like that’s
getting into a good book like that’s that for me that is almost all of it and
that for me that is almost all of it and
that for me that is almost all of it and then the rest a lot of it takes care of
then the rest a lot of it takes care of
then the rest a lot of it takes care of itself
itself
itself but what I would say is make your quota
but what I would say is make your quota
but what I would say is make your quota really small so two crappy pages a day
really small so two crappy pages a day
really small so two crappy pages a day that’s your quota for me that’s the only
that’s your quota for me that’s the only
that’s your quota for me that’s the only way I can slog through a book like not
way I can slog through a book like not
way I can slog through a book like not happy pages a day this idea of two is is
happy pages a day this idea of two is is
happy pages a day this idea of two is is I think we’re hitting the number two
I think we’re hitting the number two
I think we’re hitting the number two yeah all right yeah I cannot think of a
yeah all right yeah I cannot think of a
yeah all right yeah I cannot think of a book or I’ll just want to like cry into
book or I’ll just want to like cry into
book or I’ll just want to like cry into my pillow and go to sleep I can’t do it
my pillow and go to sleep I can’t do it
my pillow and go to sleep I can’t do it the biggest advice I can give you is
the biggest advice I can give you is
the biggest advice I can give you is finish one book
finish one book
finish one book when you finish even even if it’s the
when you finish even even if it’s the
when you finish even even if it’s the worst book ever written and history
worst book ever written and history
worst book ever written and history something changes in your mind and you
something changes in your mind and you
something changes in your mind and you think wow I finished a book I can write
think wow I finished a book I can write
think wow I finished a book I can write a book and it becomes much easier and
a book and it becomes much easier and
a book and it becomes much easier and then it’s like piano or singing anything
then it’s like piano or singing anything
then it’s like piano or singing anything practice makes you better surrender and
practice makes you better surrender and
practice makes you better surrender and keep writing and you’ll get better and
keep writing and you’ll get better and
keep writing and you’ll get better and you’ll get published and you’ll come
you’ll get published and you’ll come
you’ll get published and you’ll come visit us in America Wall Street I think
visit us in America Wall Street I think
visit us in America Wall Street I think the best thing to do is to remember that
the best thing to do is to remember that
the best thing to do is to remember that you have to send it out lots of people
you have to send it out lots of people
you have to send it out lots of people think that they have a best-selling book
think that they have a best-selling book
think that they have a best-selling book but it’s downstairs in the third drawer
but it’s downstairs in the third drawer
but it’s downstairs in the third drawer of their of their desk now you have to
of their of their desk now you have to
of their of their desk now you have to send it out the publishers cannot be
send it out the publishers cannot be
send it out the publishers cannot be inspired they cannot come to your house
inspired they cannot come to your house
inspired they cannot come to your house with a demolition gang saying we
with a demolition gang saying we
with a demolition gang saying we understand there’s a manuscript here you
understand there’s a manuscript here you
understand there’s a manuscript here you have to send it them and then by doing
have to send it them and then by doing
have to send it them and then by doing that you have to have to risk rejection
that you have to have to risk rejection
that you have to have to risk rejection if you don’t go to a dance when we were
if you don’t go to a dance when we were
if you don’t go to a dance when we were young if we didn’t go to a dance you
young if we didn’t go to a dance you
young if we didn’t go to a dance you didn’t have the humiliation of people
didn’t have the humiliation of people
didn’t have the humiliation of people passing you by and not dancing with you
passing you by and not dancing with you
passing you by and not dancing with you but you also had no fun and it don’t
but you also had no fun and it don’t
but you also had no fun and it don’t send it to other writers if somebody
send it to other writers if somebody
send it to other writers if somebody send me a manuscript I say my secretary
send me a manuscript I say my secretary
send me a manuscript I say my secretary and I would have a note ready say I’m
and I would have a note ready say I’m
and I would have a note ready say I’m returning your manuscript to you unread
returning your manuscript to you unread
returning your manuscript to you unread you and I are in competition with each
you and I are in competition with each
you and I are in competition with each other I’m the wrong person to write to
other I’m the wrong person to write to
other I’m the wrong person to write to and that’s actually the truth because I
and that’s actually the truth because I
and that’s actually the truth because I might accidentally steal an idea from
might accidentally steal an idea from
might accidentally steal an idea from something all right deliberately if I
something all right deliberately if I
something all right deliberately if I was that kind steal an idea from
was that kind steal an idea from
was that kind steal an idea from somebody so it has to be a publisher or
somebody so it has to be a publisher or
somebody so it has to be a publisher or an agent and it is absolutely wearying
an agent and it is absolutely wearying
an agent and it is absolutely wearying getting all those rejections that I
getting all those rejections that I
getting all those rejections that I could have papered the house with
could have papered the house with
could have papered the house with rejection slips and even my first novel
rejection slips and even my first novel
rejection slips and even my first novel I got five rejection slips and I sent me
I got five rejection slips and I sent me
I got five rejection slips and I sent me without the sixth time I really was very
without the sixth time I really was very
without the sixth time I really was very very depressed about and the sixth
very depressed about and the sixth
very depressed about and the sixth person rang up and said it’s wonderful
person rang up and said it’s wonderful
person rang up and said it’s wonderful it’s going to be a best-seller so you
it’s going to be a best-seller so you
it’s going to be a best-seller so you know as the as we often laughing since
know as the as we often laughing since
know as the as we often laughing since pressed the first five must be bit sour
pressed the first five must be bit sour
pressed the first five must be bit sour now and so that’s what you always think
now and so that’s what you always think
now and so that’s what you always think about you have to be fully confidence
about you have to be fully confidence
about you have to be fully confidence and send it out there and risk the
and send it out there and risk the
and send it out there and risk the rejection because you’re never going to
rejection because you’re never going to
rejection because you’re never going to get anywhere until you put your first
get anywhere until you put your first
get anywhere until you put your first foot on that ladder
thank you so much for watching I made
thank you so much for watching I made this video because monshell Mitchell
this video because monshell Mitchell
this video because monshell Mitchell asked me to so there’s a topic you’d
asked me to so there’s a topic you’d
asked me to so there’s a topic you’d like me to cover in the next edition of
like me to cover in the next edition of
like me to cover in the next edition of believe life let me know leave me a
believe life let me know leave me a
believe life let me know leave me a comment below and I’ll see what I can do
comment below and I’ll see what I can do
comment below and I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to know which of the clips
I’d also love to know which of the clips
I’d also love to know which of the clips resonated with you and why what the
resonated with you and why what the
resonated with you and why what the advice meant the most to you as
advice meant the most to you as
advice meant the most to you as someone’s just finished writing his
someone’s just finished writing his
someone’s just finished writing his first book I wish I had some of this
first book I wish I had some of this
first book I wish I had some of this knowledge sooner but I’ll definitely
knowledge sooner but I’ll definitely
knowledge sooner but I’ll definitely apply it to future books that I write so
apply it to future books that I write so
apply it to future books that I write so let me know what you think what did you
let me know what you think what did you
let me know what you think what did you really enjoy about it
really enjoy about it
really enjoy about it what future topics as well do you want
what future topics as well do you want
what future topics as well do you want me to cover in believe light for this
me to cover in believe light for this
me to cover in believe light for this series leave it down in the comments
series leave it down in the comments
series leave it down in the comments thank you guys so much for watching have
thank you guys so much for watching have
thank you guys so much for watching have an amazing day continue to believe and
an amazing day continue to believe and
an amazing day continue to believe and I’ll see you soon
the best writing advice I ever got and I
the best writing advice I ever got and I got this early on and I’m glad I did was
got this early on and I’m glad I did was
got this early on and I’m glad I did was to write a certain number of words on a
to write a certain number of words on a
to write a certain number of words on a regular basis a quota of words because
regular basis a quota of words because
regular basis a quota of words because then you look up three months four
then you look up three months four
then you look up three months four months maybe it takes a year but you
months maybe it takes a year but you
months maybe it takes a year but you look up at some point and then you’ve
look up at some point and then you’ve
look up at some point and then you’ve got a completed novel and you learn so
got a completed novel and you learn so
got a completed novel and you learn so much by completing a novel and that’s
much by completing a novel and that’s
much by completing a novel and that’s why I have people like ed McBaine
why I have people like ed McBaine
why I have people like ed McBaine also known as Evan hunter looking over
also known as Evan hunter looking over
also known as Evan hunter looking over my shoulder saying write you fool right
my shoulder saying write you fool right
my shoulder saying write you fool right I mean he was incredibly prolific under
I mean he was incredibly prolific under
I mean he was incredibly prolific under two or three pseudonyms over there is
two or three pseudonyms over there is
two or three pseudonyms over there is John D MacDonald the guy with the red
John D MacDonald the guy with the red
John D MacDonald the guy with the red hot typewriter they said he was
hot typewriter they said he was
hot typewriter they said he was incredibly prolific because he did it as
incredibly prolific because he did it as
incredibly prolific because he did it as a regular as a job he treated it as a
a regular as a job he treated it as a
a regular as a job he treated it as a job now I used to do a daily quota but
job now I used to do a daily quota but
job now I used to do a daily quota but that proved to be very onerous I felt
that proved to be very onerous I felt
that proved to be very onerous I felt like I was a slave to it and you know if
like I was a slave to it and you know if
like I was a slave to it and you know if I messed up if I missed the day I would
I messed up if I missed the day I would
I messed up if I missed the day I would really beat myself up so I do a weekly
really beat myself up so I do a weekly
really beat myself up so I do a weekly quota now and I divided into days and if
quota now and I divided into days and if
quota now and I divided into days and if I miss a day then I know that I can make
I miss a day then I know that I can make
I miss a day then I know that I can make it up on another day plus I take one day
it up on another day plus I take one day
it up on another day plus I take one day off a week to recharge my batteries now
off a week to recharge my batteries now
off a week to recharge my batteries now you do that day after day after week
you do that day after day after week
you do that day after day after week after month after year you become what’s
after month after year you become what’s
after month after year you become what’s called a prolific writer I do not ask my
called a prolific writer I do not ask my
called a prolific writer I do not ask my readers what they want and then write
readers what they want and then write
readers what they want and then write that book but I was picking out
that book but I was picking out
that book but I was picking out cherry-pick little bits and pieces but I
cherry-pick little bits and pieces but I
cherry-pick little bits and pieces but I think ultimately Steve Jobs said this
think ultimately Steve Jobs said this
think ultimately Steve Jobs said this Henry Ford said it like people don’t
Henry Ford said it like people don’t
Henry Ford said it like people don’t really know what they want right you
really know what they want right you
really know what they want right you know I mean yep it’s like what do you
know I mean yep it’s like what do you
know I mean yep it’s like what do you want I want a faster horse not a mighty
want I want a faster horse not a mighty
want I want a faster horse not a mighty yeah a lot of people will do that
yeah a lot of people will do that
yeah a lot of people will do that they’ll survey their audience and ask
they’ll survey their audience and ask
they’ll survey their audience and ask what they want or think of what will be
what they want or think of what will be
what they want or think of what will be big or what’ll be popular the thing is I
big or what’ll be popular the thing is I
big or what’ll be popular the thing is I talk with rock bands a lot about this a
talk with rock bands a lot about this a
talk with rock bands a lot about this a lot because I interview a lot of rock
lot because I interview a lot of rock
lot because I interview a lot of rock bands I said all your audience knows is
bands I said all your audience knows is
bands I said all your audience knows is what you’ve done before yeah they don’t
what you’ve done before yeah they don’t
what you’ve done before yeah they don’t know what you’re gonna do next
know what you’re gonna do next
know what you’re gonna do next so all they want is what you’ve done
so all they want is what you’ve done
so all they want is what you’ve done before and you keep doing what you’ve
before and you keep doing what you’ve
before and you keep doing what you’ve done before they’re gonna get bored and
done before they’re gonna get bored and
done before they’re gonna get bored and you’re gonna get bored too internet
you’re gonna get bored too internet
you’re gonna get bored too internet bored too and so to me it’s like I how I
bored too and so to me it’s like I how I
bored too and so to me it’s like I how I choose what I’m gonna write about as I
choose what I’m gonna write about as I
choose what I’m gonna write about as I stay one I really always try to stay one
stay one I really always try to stay one
stay one I really always try to stay one step ahead it’s not even trying that I
step ahead it’s not even trying that I
step ahead it’s not even trying that I write about what I care about the most
write about what I care about the most
write about what I care about the most in that particular moment of my life and
in that particular moment of my life and
in that particular moment of my life and because it’s going to have that passion
because it’s going to have that passion
because it’s going to have that passion I mean
I mean
I mean talk to some people I was talking about
talk to some people I was talking about
talk to some people I was talking about writer today and and he has over a
writer today and and he has over a
writer today and and he has over a million Twitter followers at a very big
million Twitter followers at a very big
million Twitter followers at a very big platform and he wrote a book that did
platform and he wrote a book that did
platform and he wrote a book that did not do very well yeah because I think he
not do very well yeah because I think he
not do very well yeah because I think he wrote what was a clever book everyone
wrote what was a clever book everyone
wrote what was a clever book everyone would like versus writing something he
would like versus writing something he
would like versus writing something he really really cared about that was
really really cared about that was
really really cared about that was important to him and literally I think
important to him and literally I think
important to him and literally I think you can make anything interesting if you
you can make anything interesting if you
you can make anything interesting if you really care about enough if you care
really care about enough if you care
really care about enough if you care about that pillow in the story that
about that pillow in the story that
about that pillow in the story that pillow and where it was made and how was
pillow and where it was made and how was
pillow and where it was made and how was made who made it what their story is
made who made it what their story is
made who made it what their story is when you can dive into anything if you
when you can dive into anything if you
when you can dive into anything if you care about it and make it interesting
care about it and make it interesting
care about it and make it interesting once you do finish that book once you’ve
once you do finish that book once you’ve
once you do finish that book once you’ve got it don’t take no for an answer from
got it don’t take no for an answer from
got it don’t take no for an answer from anybody no matter how many rejections
anybody no matter how many rejections
anybody no matter how many rejections you get keep going keep going don’t
you get keep going keep going don’t
you get keep going keep going don’t listen to anybody who rejects the book
listen to anybody who rejects the book
listen to anybody who rejects the book and never revise that book because
and never revise that book because
and never revise that book because you’ve got a rejection from an editor
you’ve got a rejection from an editor
you’ve got a rejection from an editor with a bunch of you know negative advice
with a bunch of you know negative advice
with a bunch of you know negative advice never do that any editor who rejects
never do that any editor who rejects
never do that any editor who rejects your book doesn’t get it don’t revise
your book doesn’t get it don’t revise
your book doesn’t get it don’t revise for that person wait till you get a
for that person wait till you get a
for that person wait till you get a letter from an editor that says we
letter from an editor that says we
letter from an editor that says we really love your book we’d like to
really love your book we’d like to
really love your book we’d like to publish it do you think you could see
publish it do you think you could see
publish it do you think you could see your way clear to maybe shortening it a
your way clear to maybe shortening it a
your way clear to maybe shortening it a bit or changing this or that that’s when
bit or changing this or that that’s when
bit or changing this or that that’s when you listen that’s when you decide now
you listen that’s when you decide now
you listen that’s when you decide now say you’ve written your book you’ve sent
say you’ve written your book you’ve sent
say you’ve written your book you’ve sent it to every New York publisher you know
it to every New York publisher you know
it to every New York publisher you know of and they’ve all rejected it what do
of and they’ve all rejected it what do
of and they’ve all rejected it what do you do then do you give up no you do not
you do then do you give up no you do not
you do then do you give up no you do not give up self-publish it’s never been
give up self-publish it’s never been
give up self-publish it’s never been easier there are all kinds of ways to do
easier there are all kinds of ways to do
easier there are all kinds of ways to do it
it
it and there are stories every few weeks
and there are stories every few weeks
and there are stories every few weeks about self-published authors who are
about self-published authors who are
about self-published authors who are suddenly being picked up by New York
suddenly being picked up by New York
suddenly being picked up by New York publishers it mean discovered or they’ve
publishers it mean discovered or they’ve
publishers it mean discovered or they’ve made hundreds of thousands of dollars on
made hundreds of thousands of dollars on
made hundreds of thousands of dollars on their own I mean we hear about it all
their own I mean we hear about it all
their own I mean we hear about it all the time so if you’re out there if
the time so if you’re out there if
the time so if you’re out there if you’re writing you need stubbornness you
you’re writing you need stubbornness you
you’re writing you need stubbornness you need courage you need faith in yourself
need courage you need faith in yourself
need courage you need faith in yourself that’s as strong as any talent you may
that’s as strong as any talent you may
that’s as strong as any talent you may possess and you need to write that book
possess and you need to write that book
possess and you need to write that book the way you want to write it and keep
the way you want to write it and keep
the way you want to write it and keep trying to get it published and if that
trying to get it published and if that
trying to get it published and if that doesn’t work self publish it that’s the
doesn’t work self publish it that’s the
doesn’t work self publish it that’s the best advice I can give you or any other
best advice I can give you or any other
best advice I can give you or any other writer and again if this advice doesn’t
writer and again if this advice doesn’t
writer and again if this advice doesn’t work for you throw it out the window
”
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