Episode 015: Neil Strauss
Short Summary
Neil Strauss discusses the creative process and overcoming writer's block
Talks about the importance of failure and learning from mistakes
Mention the value of a support system and surrounding oneself with talented people
Discusses the process of taking an idea and turning it into a business
Mention the value of focus and the dangers of multitasking
Discusses his process for writing and revising his books
Emphasizes the importance of revisions and the idea that writing is rewriting
Discusses the value of hiring a good editor and the role they play in the process
Talks about the importance of developing a unique voice and finding one's own style
Discusses the process of getting feedback on his writing
Both authors emphasize the importance of seeking out criticism and being open to constructive feedback
Talk about the dangers of becoming too attached to one's work and the importance of being willing to make changes and cut out parts that aren't working
Discuss the importance of finding one's unique voice and developing a style that is authentic and genuine
Interviewing skills discussed, including preparation, open-ended questions, establishing rapport, and adapting to the conversation
Neil Strauss talks about his experience with emergency situations and the importance of being prepared
Tim Ferriss discusses his experiences with using different methods to overcome writer's block, including setting a daily writing goal, using prompts, and changing the environment.
Long Summary
Neil Strauss is a 7-time New York Times Best Selling Author
Has written many books, including The Game and Emergency
Also Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone and Staff Writer for The New York Times
Conversation with Tim Ferriss is about the creative process and how to become a creative powerhouse
Discusses methods and tricks for overcoming writer's block and creating successful work
Talks about the importance of failure and learning from mistakes
Mentions the value of a support system and surrounding oneself with talented people
Discusses his experience with proofreading Neil's book, Emergency, and the creative process behind it
Discusses his experience writing The Dirt about Motley Crue and the process of getting inside the head of someone else to tell their story
Talks about the importance of storytelling and finding one's voice
Mention the value of focus and the dangers of multitasking
Discusses the process of taking an idea and turning it into a business
Talks about the benefits of maintaining a daily writing practice and setting aside dedicated time for creativity.
Neil Strauss talks about his process for writing and revising his books
First draft is just for himself and no one else will see it
Second draft is for the reader, where he puts himself in the shoes of the reader and tries to make the story as interesting and engaging as possible
Third draft is for the haters, where he makes sure all the facts are iron-tight and addresses any potential criticisms in a self-aware way to make the book hater-proof
Fourth draft is for the editor and publisher, where he works with them to fine-tune the book and make sure it's the best it can be
Emphasizes the importance of revisions and the idea that writing is rewriting
Discusses the value of hiring a good editor and the role they play in the process
Talks about the importance of developing a unique voice and finding one's own style
Mention the value of maintaining a consistent daily writing practice and the dangers of trying to multitask while writing
Discusses the process of developing an idea and turning it into a successful book or business
Emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with talented people and seeking out mentors to help guide one's career.
Neil Strauss talks about the process of getting feedback on his writing
Has a few people read through his work during the early stages to get a sense of whether it's engaging and not boring
Once he feels the book is ready, he has as many people read it as possible to get as much feedback and criticism as possible
Tim Ferriss talks about his approach to getting feedback on his writing, which involves giving proofreaders 3-5 chapters and asking for their favorite and least favorite chapters and why
Both authors emphasize the importance of seeking out criticism and being open to constructive feedback
Talk about the dangers of becoming too attached to one's work and the importance of being willing to make changes and cut out parts that aren't working
Mention the value of maintaining a consistent daily writing practice and the benefits of setting aside dedicated time for writing
Discuss the importance of finding one's unique voice and developing a style that is authentic and genuine.
Interviewing is an important skill for getting information and understanding people
It is important to prepare thoroughly for an interview, including researching the person and writing down potential questions
In a live interview, it is important to have a structure and goals in mind, but also to be able to adapt and let the conversation flow naturally
Asking open-ended questions and following up on interesting responses can lead to more revealing and interesting conversations
It can be helpful to establish rapport and trust with the interviewee
It is important to listen actively and show interest in the interviewee's responses
It can be helpful to use body language and nonverbal cues to encourage the interviewee to open up
Asking personal or unexpected questions can sometimes lead to surprising or revealing responses.
Neil Strauss discusses the importance of empathy in writing and the role of revisions in creating a successful book.
Strauss believes the first draft is for the writer, the second for the reader, and the third for the haters and critics.
He emphasizes the importance of preparation in interviews and suggests using specific techniques to guide the conversation towards interesting or revealing moments.
Strauss recommends several books, including 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski, and Life is Elsewhere by Milan Kundera.
Strauss believes that not accepting the norms of one's time is key to achieving success and innovation.