Thanks for taking the time to write (and share) this. I’m in the process of shifting into book mode right now, and you’ve included some things in here that are right on target for me.
Luke! I've read your book on Mimetic Theory and it's amazing. Fked with my head a little bit. Thank you for writing it, especially the story of Lamborghini vs Ferrari.
This post is IT. I have been writing for 10 years now but mostly in an informational, fact-based nonfiction style. Its a goal of mine to get better at storytelling. It still feels so foreign.
Your article explains why it's not possible just to flip a switch and expect to be somewhat good at storytelling. This isn't going to be easy but it's worth it. And you laid out a great map for me. So thank you!
God this is wonderful. Some of the points that resonate -
1. Make the mistake AI wants to fix (That's me so many times 👏)
2. Push through writer's block by writing gibberish
3. Being concise is overrated (I have to go against my grain to be expansive. Unfortunately I am in consulting where writing gold standard is a crisp 'exec sum' 😟)
Thank you for this article. I have read every word and saved many notes. Definitely need to improve the way I get feedback, and I’ve got a couple of ideas.
Thanks so much for sharing all of this, Nat! It answered quite a few questions that were obscure to me before - like how the process of getting from the first draft to the following drafts really works in practice.
I also second your view on writing a book for longevity. It's really a fantastic project: A discrete piece of long-form writing, gestated across the span of often years of work, thought and ruthless editing. I often wonder how people that took a decade to write a book find the endurance to endure this extreme form of delayed gratification.
I also found it curious that you sharply separate online article writing and book writing. It's probably a matter of personal preference. I had to think of David Perell's interview with Morgan Housel, where he talks about how switching his writing style for writing a book did absolutely NOT work for him - it distorted his style so much that his writing was irrecognizable! So he fell back on basically writing a set of long blog posts with a shared broad topic.
Thanks for taking the time to write (and share) this. I’m in the process of shifting into book mode right now, and you’ve included some things in here that are right on target for me.
You're welcome Jeff! And good luck on the switch, it's an adjustment but oh so worth it
Book mode?
Book-writing mode
Loved this
Thank you Luke!
Luke! I've read your book on Mimetic Theory and it's amazing. Fked with my head a little bit. Thank you for writing it, especially the story of Lamborghini vs Ferrari.
Advice level, "terrific": unlocked. Mulling this deserves to be more than a blog post. Timeless advice shouldn't really be chronologically ordered.
Thank you Matt! Maybe it needs to be expanded and better organized into a mini-book or something...
This post is IT. I have been writing for 10 years now but mostly in an informational, fact-based nonfiction style. Its a goal of mine to get better at storytelling. It still feels so foreign.
Your article explains why it's not possible just to flip a switch and expect to be somewhat good at storytelling. This isn't going to be easy but it's worth it. And you laid out a great map for me. So thank you!
So glad it was helpful Kiri!
God this is wonderful. Some of the points that resonate -
1. Make the mistake AI wants to fix (That's me so many times 👏)
2. Push through writer's block by writing gibberish
3. Being concise is overrated (I have to go against my grain to be expansive. Unfortunately I am in consulting where writing gold standard is a crisp 'exec sum' 😟)
+ many more...
As an author, I resonated with a lot of this, especially the stress/pressure/anxiety that goes along with authorship. This is a fantastic piece.
Thank you Maurizio!
Great stuff.
Thanks Jack!
this came at such a good time for me. thank you for putting it together, nat.
You're very welcome Kora!
Thank you for this article. I have read every word and saved many notes. Definitely need to improve the way I get feedback, and I’ve got a couple of ideas.
Legendary Nat!
Thanks Giovanni!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this, Nat! It answered quite a few questions that were obscure to me before - like how the process of getting from the first draft to the following drafts really works in practice.
I also second your view on writing a book for longevity. It's really a fantastic project: A discrete piece of long-form writing, gestated across the span of often years of work, thought and ruthless editing. I often wonder how people that took a decade to write a book find the endurance to endure this extreme form of delayed gratification.
I also found it curious that you sharply separate online article writing and book writing. It's probably a matter of personal preference. I had to think of David Perell's interview with Morgan Housel, where he talks about how switching his writing style for writing a book did absolutely NOT work for him - it distorted his style so much that his writing was irrecognizable! So he fell back on basically writing a set of long blog posts with a shared broad topic.
Wow - talk about generous and wonderful. I will keep coming back to this. Thank you - and can’t wait to read your book!
Thank you Varsha!
Thanks for writing this, Nat! I know I'll be revisiting this post for years to come. Congrats on the book! Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks Sameer! I'm excited to get it out there
Excellent tips Nat!
Thanks Alex!
Excellent tips, Nat
This is an incredible treasure trove of advice! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom here, Nat.