DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Ryan Holiday, a prolific writer, discusses his writing process and how he generates creative momentum. He talks about the importance of not losing momentum, trusting the process, and working through the initial ugliness of the creative process. Holiday shares insights on research, storytelling, and the evolution of his writing style over time.
Holiday emphasizes that every project goes through a 'trough of despair,' but having been through the process multiple times, he has learned to trust it and push through. He also stresses the need to constantly challenge oneself and seek out coaching to avoid self-indulgence and complacency. Additionally, Holiday shares his approach to writing chapters as individual pieces before combining them, allowing him to maintain focus and pacing.
The conversation delves into the role of fear and judgment in the creative process, with Holiday and Perell acknowledging the shared struggles writers face. They discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges, such as staying in a constant state of 'writing shape' and finding ways to practice regularly.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Maintain creative momentum by consistently writing and not losing focus during the process.
- Trust the writing process, even during the 'trough of despair,' as confidence comes from experience and repetition.
- Embrace the initial ugliness of the creative process, as it is a necessary step towards refining and polishing the work.
- Seek out feedback and coaching to avoid self-indulgence and complacency, while staying true to your creative vision.
- Acknowledge and confront the fear of judgment and failure that can hinder the creative process.
- Continuously challenge yourself and refine your craft through research, storytelling, and a commitment to improvement.
- Find ways to practice writing regularly, as frequent repetition is key to developing confidence and skill.
- Break down large projects into smaller, manageable pieces to maintain focus and pacing.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Well, the blank page is scary because what's on the page is never as good as what's in your head.“ by Ryan Holiday
- “Every project has a trough of despair.“ by Ryan Holiday
- “The biggest lie in the world is I'm gonna do it in the morning.“ by Ryan Holiday
- “I'm a big believer in writing. To think you figure out the idea in the process of writing, don't lose momentum.“ by Ryan Holiday
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Episode Information
How I Write
David Perell
6/26/24