need motivation watch it top 10 we
need motivation watch it top 10 we believe nation
he’s he in the qilin and here’s my cake
he’s he in the qilin and here’s my cake on his top ten rose to success joy my
on his top ten rose to success joy my
on his top ten rose to success joy my advice is this to anyone who announces
advice is this to anyone who announces
advice is this to anyone who announces they want to be a writer will for a
they want to be a writer will for a
they want to be a writer will for a start nothing stops you you cannot go
start nothing stops you you cannot go
start nothing stops you you cannot go around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a writer all you need is a block of paper
writer all you need is a block of paper
writer all you need is a block of paper and a pencil
and a pencil
and a pencil what should you do well my first piece
what should you do well my first piece
what should you do well my first piece of advice is this concentrate on the
of advice is this concentrate on the
of advice is this concentrate on the short story
short story
short story do not waste the next five years of your
do not waste the next five years of your
do not waste the next five years of your life writing an 800 page block of a
life writing an 800 page block of a
life writing an 800 page block of a novel that might well be a failure but
novel that might well be a failure but
novel that might well be a failure but your toe in the water gently the short
your toe in the water gently the short
your toe in the water gently the short story is a very difficult form hard to
story is a very difficult form hard to
story is a very difficult form hard to do well but it is a wonderful laboratory
do well but it is a wonderful laboratory
do well but it is a wonderful laboratory you can try out all the voices you can
you can try out all the voices you can
you can try out all the voices you can consciously imitate those writers who
consciously imitate those writers who
consciously imitate those writers who seem to be breathing too passionately
seem to be breathing too passionately
seem to be breathing too passionately down your neck but a good short story or
down your neck but a good short story or
down your neck but a good short story or even a bad short story could only take
even a bad short story could only take
even a bad short story could only take you a week three weeks six weeks you
you a week three weeks six weeks you
you a week three weeks six weeks you will not have wasted three years number
will not have wasted three years number
will not have wasted three years number two show up I always believe that it’s
two show up I always believe that it’s
two show up I always believe that it’s very important to turn up at this test
very important to turn up at this test
very important to turn up at this test whether you feel like you don’t know
whether you feel like you don’t know
whether you feel like you don’t know whether you have ideas or not you’ve got
whether you have ideas or not you’ve got
whether you have ideas or not you’ve got to have the work ethic that makes you
to have the work ethic that makes you
to have the work ethic that makes you show up when I’ve got a piece of work
show up when I’ve got a piece of work
show up when I’ve got a piece of work going and I like to be there like ah ha
going and I like to be there like ah ha
going and I like to be there like ah ha past 9 it’s very important to close off
past 9 it’s very important to close off
past 9 it’s very important to close off all those avenues to the outside world
all those avenues to the outside world
all those avenues to the outside world like the Internet the email the
like the Internet the email the
like the Internet the email the telephones I switch all those things off
telephones I switch all those things off
telephones I switch all those things off and try and get a solid that have work
and try and get a solid that have work
and try and get a solid that have work done before lunchtime and a solid bit of
done before lunchtime and a solid bit of
done before lunchtime and a solid bit of work for me would be somewhere between
work for me would be somewhere between
work for me would be somewhere between five and eight hundred words can I’d
five and eight hundred words can I’d
five and eight hundred words can I’d feel happy then
feel happy then
feel happy then if I’d got that down rule number three
if I’d got that down rule number three
if I’d got that down rule number three love the process I was struck by a
love the process I was struck by a
love the process I was struck by a comment you made once about the actual
comment you made once about the actual
comment you made once about the actual business of writing and you said that
business of writing and you said that
business of writing and you said that one of the things that academics often
one of the things that academics often
one of the things that academics often miss is that and your exact words we’re
miss is that and your exact words we’re
miss is that and your exact words we’re writing as a self-pleasuring Act which
writing as a self-pleasuring Act which
writing as a self-pleasuring Act which part from beings like that off-color
part from beings like that off-color
part from beings like that off-color image I thought was fascinating because
image I thought was fascinating because
image I thought was fascinating because so many writers describe the actual
so many writers describe the actual
so many writers describe the actual business of getting the words down as
business of getting the words down as
business of getting the words down as are some painful processed do you
are some painful processed do you
are some painful processed do you actually get fun get kicks out of the
actually get fun get kicks out of the
actually get fun get kicks out of the process of getting the words onto the
process of getting the words onto the
process of getting the words onto the page I mean I think all writers are
page I mean I think all writers are
page I mean I think all writers are lying when they if they deny some
lying when they if they deny some
lying when they if they deny some pleasure in it pleasure principle is
pleasure in it pleasure principle is
pleasure in it pleasure principle is very strong there are those moments when
very strong there are those moments when
very strong there are those moments when something goes well in the morning for
something goes well in the morning for
something goes well in the morning for half an hour or an hour I try to
half an hour or an hour I try to
half an hour or an hour I try to describe this experience and I think
describe this experience and I think
describe this experience and I think everyone’s had it we don’t have a good
everyone’s had it we don’t have a good
everyone’s had it we don’t have a good word for it it’s a form of happiness I
word for it it’s a form of happiness I
word for it it’s a form of happiness I mean one psychologist called it float
mean one psychologist called it float
mean one psychologist called it float and quite enough total absorption in
and quite enough total absorption in
and quite enough total absorption in trying to do something it could be you
trying to do something it could be you
trying to do something it could be you know playing a game of tennis or
know playing a game of tennis or
know playing a game of tennis or gardening or cooking a meal or writing a
gardening or cooking a meal or writing a
gardening or cooking a meal or writing a novel but it’s that wonderful suspension
novel but it’s that wonderful suspension
novel but it’s that wonderful suspension from time and from the narrative of your
from time and from the narrative of your
from time and from the narrative of your existence when you’re simply absolutely
existence when you’re simply absolutely
existence when you’re simply absolutely lost to the thing you’re doing and you
lost to the thing you’re doing and you
lost to the thing you’re doing and you don’t even remember who you are and you
don’t even remember who you are and you
don’t even remember who you are and you don’t even feel any pleasure at the time
don’t even feel any pleasure at the time
don’t even feel any pleasure at the time and those moments which I think are rare
and those moments which I think are rare
and those moments which I think are rare for all of us but when we only know them
for all of us but when we only know them
for all of us but when we only know them in retrospect is when the doorbell rings
in retrospect is when the doorbell rings
in retrospect is when the doorbell rings and you pop out of it that you realize
and you pop out of it that you realize
and you pop out of it that you realize that you have been supremely happy rule
that you have been supremely happy rule
that you have been supremely happy rule number four keep a journal
number four keep a journal
number four keep a journal you must dedicate yourself to keeping a
you must dedicate yourself to keeping a
you must dedicate yourself to keeping a journal when I look into my own journals
journal when I look into my own journals
journal when I look into my own journals what fascinates me most about what was
what fascinates me most about what was
what fascinates me most about what was going on in my life thirty years ago are
going on in my life thirty years ago are
going on in my life thirty years ago are the things that we would consider the
the things that we would consider the
the things that we would consider the most mundane
most mundane
most mundane what was I reading who was I talking to
what was I reading who was I talking to
what was I reading who was I talking to what were the main subjects of
what were the main subjects of
what were the main subjects of conversation where you’re living
conversation where you’re living
conversation where you’re living what’s on your desk who do you love even
what’s on your desk who do you love even
what’s on your desk who do you love even what you had for breakfast it doesn’t
what you had for breakfast it doesn’t
what you had for breakfast it doesn’t matter that banality is actually begin
matter that banality is actually begin
matter that banality is actually begin to shine after many years have passed
to shine after many years have passed
to shine after many years have passed you don’t have to write in it every day
you don’t have to write in it every day
you don’t have to write in it every day once a week would be fine 500 words a
once a week would be fine 500 words a
once a week would be fine 500 words a week doesn’t sound much but it really
week doesn’t sound much but it really
week doesn’t sound much but it really mounts up that’s 25,000 words a year the
mounts up that’s 25,000 words a year the
mounts up that’s 25,000 words a year the terrible thing about life is that most
terrible thing about life is that most
terrible thing about life is that most of it is forgotten and a lot of it is
of it is forgotten and a lot of it is
of it is forgotten and a lot of it is rich and a lot of that richness can be
rich and a lot of that richness can be
rich and a lot of that richness can be retained for future use by an occasional
retained for future use by an occasional
retained for future use by an occasional excursion into an oak also if you want
excursion into an oak also if you want
excursion into an oak also if you want to cry sake be queuing and other riders
to cry sake be queuing and other riders
to cry sake be queuing and other riders on how to be a successful writer check
on how to be a successful writer check
on how to be a successful writer check out my to 54 writer program the link is
out my to 54 writer program the link is
out my to 54 writer program the link is in the description below you cannot go
in the description below you cannot go
in the description below you cannot go around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a writer the reading has to be done if you
writer the reading has to be done if you
writer the reading has to be done if you don’t read as a novelist you’re liable
don’t read as a novelist you’re liable
don’t read as a novelist you’re liable to be hugely influenced by the writers
to be hugely influenced by the writers
to be hugely influenced by the writers you haven’t read again take you a year
you haven’t read again take you a year
you haven’t read again take you a year could take you 6 months you might even
could take you 6 months you might even
could take you 6 months you might even get it all down in one delirious month
get it all down in one delirious month
get it all down in one delirious month rule number 5 break routines leaving
rule number 5 break routines leaving
rule number 5 break routines leaving space between books is very important
space between books is very important
space between books is very important you know as to stop even thinking about
you know as to stop even thinking about
you know as to stop even thinking about novel writing and get on with knowing
novel writing and get on with knowing
novel writing and get on with knowing more traveling a bit or for example
more traveling a bit or for example
more traveling a bit or for example before writing solar I was quite happy
before writing solar I was quite happy
before writing solar I was quite happy attending climate change conferences I
attending climate change conferences I
attending climate change conferences I thought that didn’t think oh I can it’s
thought that didn’t think oh I can it’s
thought that didn’t think oh I can it’s because I’m researching a novel this is
because I’m researching a novel this is
because I’m researching a novel this is because I’d been in conversations with
because I’d been in conversations with
because I’d been in conversations with various scientists and people and they I
various scientists and people and they I
various scientists and people and they I got drawn into the subject and step by
got drawn into the subject and step by
got drawn into the subject and step by step I found myself deeper in and only
step I found myself deeper in and only
step I found myself deeper in and only later thought I could get a novel out of
later thought I could get a novel out of
later thought I could get a novel out of this or wanted to write a novel about it
this or wanted to write a novel about it
this or wanted to write a novel about it taking journeys is a good way to free
taking journeys is a good way to free
taking journeys is a good way to free the mind up to be away from home to be
the mind up to be away from home to be
the mind up to be away from home to be away from home is and away from the
away from home is and away from the
away from home is and away from the obligations of paying bills of being in
obligations of paying bills of being in
obligations of paying bills of being in routines breaking routines I think is
routines breaking routines I think is
routines breaking routines I think is crucial rule number six find your
crucial rule number six find your
crucial rule number six find your creative process what’s the process um I
creative process what’s the process um I
creative process what’s the process um I have a very nice study there’s a table
have a very nice study there’s a table
have a very nice study there’s a table at the table is one of the few things I
at the table is one of the few things I
at the table is one of the few things I ever built myself back in the early 80s
ever built myself back in the early 80s
ever built myself back in the early 80s so there’s lots of room either side for
so there’s lots of room either side for
so there’s lots of room either side for writing in longhand and writing in
writing in longhand and writing in
writing in longhand and writing in longhand and working on a computer I
longhand and working on a computer I
longhand and working on a computer I think is perfect I mean so much better
think is perfect I mean so much better
think is perfect I mean so much better than the mechanical business of the
than the mechanical business of the
than the mechanical business of the typewriter so you start in longhand do
typewriter so you start in longhand do
typewriter so you start in longhand do you I start in longhand I write notes
you I start in longhand I write notes
you I start in longhand I write notes and messages and exhortation to myself
and messages and exhortation to myself
and messages and exhortation to myself can it really be interesting a ring
can it really be interesting a ring
can it really be interesting a ring bound a four green black ink always and
bound a four green black ink always and
bound a four green black ink always and I press medium high and these are notes
I press medium high and these are notes
I press medium high and these are notes or the actual or the actual these are
or the actual or the actual these are
or the actual or the actual these are presages bits of prose and then
presages bits of prose and then
presages bits of prose and then sometimes if I’m starting a chapter in
sometimes if I’m starting a chapter in
sometimes if I’m starting a chapter in its say chapter four I write the word
its say chapter four I write the word
its say chapter four I write the word contains : and then I think all the
contains : and then I think all the
contains : and then I think all the elements that this chapter will contain
elements that this chapter will contain
elements that this chapter will contain as I understand it at that point try out
as I understand it at that point try out
as I understand it at that point try out sentences sometimes I write plots of
sentences sometimes I write plots of
sentences sometimes I write plots of novels I’ve found that one of the most
novels I’ve found that one of the most
novels I’ve found that one of the most freeing things you can do as a writer is
freeing things you can do as a writer is
freeing things you can do as a writer is to describe the novel which you’re never
to describe the novel which you’re never
to describe the novel which you’re never going to be bothered to write you have
going to be bothered to write you have
going to be bothered to write you have no burdens on you or you write the
no burdens on you or you write the
no burdens on you or you write the opening sentence to a novel that you’re
opening sentence to a novel that you’re
opening sentence to a novel that you’re not going to write you feel completely
not going to write you feel completely
not going to write you feel completely free and sometimes I’ve written myself
free and sometimes I’ve written myself
free and sometimes I’ve written myself into a novel that way I started a
into a novel that way I started a
into a novel that way I started a tournament that way with a careless
tournament that way with a careless
tournament that way with a careless sentence and then a paragraph and then
sentence and then a paragraph and then
sentence and then a paragraph and then thought well maybe there’s something
thought well maybe there’s something
thought well maybe there’s something here rule number seven who find your
here rule number seven who find your
here rule number seven who find your authenticity you need to write through
authenticity you need to write through
authenticity you need to write through your influences shake off the voices or
your influences shake off the voices or
your influences shake off the voices or celebrate them I mean but write with a
celebrate them I mean but write with a
celebrate them I mean but write with a sense of moving towards
sense of moving towards
sense of moving towards what is truly yours eventually but to do
what is truly yours eventually but to do
what is truly yours eventually but to do that you’re gonna have to screw up and
that you’re gonna have to screw up and
that you’re gonna have to screw up and you can write five truly terrible short
you can write five truly terrible short
you can write five truly terrible short stories and you will not have lost more
stories and you will not have lost more
stories and you will not have lost more than six months thrill never eat go with
than six months thrill never eat go with
than six months thrill never eat go with the flow I never know what I’m going to
the flow I never know what I’m going to
the flow I never know what I’m going to do next and I think that’s one of the
do next and I think that’s one of the
do next and I think that’s one of the pleasures of a writing career he’s just
pleasures of a writing career he’s just
pleasures of a writing career he’s just three years ago I would never have
three years ago I would never have
three years ago I would never have guessed I was writing this novel five
guessed I was writing this novel five
guessed I was writing this novel five years ago I’d never would have guessed
years ago I’d never would have guessed
years ago I’d never would have guessed writing the children out there is a meta
writing the children out there is a meta
writing the children out there is a meta plot I think of a writer’s life which is
plot I think of a writer’s life which is
plot I think of a writer’s life which is the work the five feet in my case it
the work the five feet in my case it
the work the five feet in my case it will be 18 inches but size doesn’t
will be 18 inches but size doesn’t
will be 18 inches but size doesn’t matter of how you got from your first
matter of how you got from your first
matter of how you got from your first novel to your last it’s a story of your
novel to your last it’s a story of your
novel to your last it’s a story of your life in a sense or your creative life
life in a sense or your creative life
life in a sense or your creative life but it cannot be pre-planned so I
but it cannot be pre-planned so I
but it cannot be pre-planned so I honestly don’t know at the moment my I’m
honestly don’t know at the moment my I’m
honestly don’t know at the moment my I’m so pleasantly empty of what I’ll do next
so pleasantly empty of what I’ll do next
so pleasantly empty of what I’ll do next rule number nine learn to say no and I
rule number nine learn to say no and I
rule number nine learn to say no and I just wondered how on earth you restore
just wondered how on earth you restore
just wondered how on earth you restore the stock of ideas how do you live
the stock of ideas how do you live
the stock of ideas how do you live enough between the novels to replenish
enough between the novels to replenish
enough between the novels to replenish the ideas supply and where and where
the ideas supply and where and where
the ideas supply and where and where does where does hiking fit into the
does where does hiking fit into the
does where does hiking fit into the creative process well I don’t feel
creative process well I don’t feel
creative process well I don’t feel prolific so it’s odd you should say that
prolific so it’s odd you should say that
prolific so it’s odd you should say that I mean I think of you know Updike or oh
I mean I think of you know Updike or oh
I mean I think of you know Updike or oh that matter Philip Roth is really
that matter Philip Roth is really
that matter Philip Roth is really prolific and I do take quite a long time
prolific and I do take quite a long time
prolific and I do take quite a long time between Knowles but I make time partly
between Knowles but I make time partly
between Knowles but I make time partly by saying no to people like you it’s
by saying no to people like you it’s
by saying no to people like you it’s very important often with a real tug on
very important often with a real tug on
very important often with a real tug on the heart and it gets harder and harder
the heart and it gets harder and harder
the heart and it gets harder and harder to defend that private space I think
to defend that private space I think
to defend that private space I think this is true for most writers unless
this is true for most writers unless
this is true for most writers unless you’re a real recluse you’re in the
you’re a real recluse you’re in the
you’re a real recluse you’re in the world that world is hungry for ideas
world that world is hungry for ideas
world that world is hungry for ideas opinions involvement
opinions involvement
opinions involvement and a lot of the people who are on the
and a lot of the people who are on the
and a lot of the people who are on the other end of the line are both
other end of the line are both
other end of the line are both persuasive intelligent and interesting
persuasive intelligent and interesting
persuasive intelligent and interesting and it’s always a little tug at the
and it’s always a little tug at the
and it’s always a little tug at the heart to say no but it’s absolutely
heart to say no but it’s absolutely
heart to say no but it’s absolutely vital and rule never returned the last
vital and rule never returned the last
vital and rule never returned the last one before a very special bonus clip is
one before a very special bonus clip is
one before a very special bonus clip is find happiness my friend Christopher
find happiness my friend Christopher
find happiness my friend Christopher Hitchens once said that one of his
Hitchens once said that one of his
Hitchens once said that one of his definitions of happiness was to work all
definitions of happiness was to work all
definitions of happiness was to work all day in the knowledge that he was seeing
day in the knowledge that he was seeing
day in the knowledge that he was seeing an interesting friend in the evening so
an interesting friend in the evening so
an interesting friend in the evening so sometimes that interesting friend is my
sometimes that interesting friend is my
sometimes that interesting friend is my wife or one of my children or one of my
wife or one of my children or one of my
wife or one of my children or one of my interesting friends but I do like that
interesting friends but I do like that
interesting friends but I do like that sense that there’s gonna be food and
sense that there’s gonna be food and
sense that there’s gonna be food and wine from about 7:30 on if it fits I’ll
wine from about 7:30 on if it fits I’ll
wine from about 7:30 on if it fits I’ll go back after dinner maybe to look at
go back after dinner maybe to look at
go back after dinner maybe to look at the day’s work again I’ve got a special
the day’s work again I’ve got a special
the day’s work again I’ve got a special bonus coming on how to spark ideas that
bonus coming on how to spark ideas that
bonus coming on how to spark ideas that I think you’re gonna enjoy but before
I think you’re gonna enjoy but before
I think you’re gonna enjoy but before that is time for the three-point landing
that is time for the three-point landing
that is time for the three-point landing questions we gotta move from just
questions we gotta move from just
questions we gotta move from just watching video to actually taking action
watching video to actually taking action
watching video to actually taking action in your life for business here we go
in your life for business here we go
in your life for business here we go question number one what do you need to
question number one what do you need to
question number one what do you need to learn to say no to right now number two
learn to say no to right now number two
learn to say no to right now number two when are you most creative and how can
when are you most creative and how can
when are you most creative and how can you put that into your daily routine and
you put that into your daily routine and
you put that into your daily routine and number three how can you keep to writing
number three how can you keep to writing
number three how can you keep to writing a journal every day for the next it is I
a journal every day for the next it is I
a journal every day for the next it is I don’t know where ideas come from all if
don’t know where ideas come from all if
don’t know where ideas come from all if I knew I had a clear idea of that I’d
I knew I had a clear idea of that I’d
I knew I had a clear idea of that I’d have more often I do a lot of hiking and
have more often I do a lot of hiking and
have more often I do a lot of hiking and the rhythm of walking is very amenable I
the rhythm of walking is very amenable I
the rhythm of walking is very amenable I think to the rhythm of thinking and
think to the rhythm of thinking and
think to the rhythm of thinking and that’s a good way of letting ideas begin
that’s a good way of letting ideas begin
that’s a good way of letting ideas begin to take on a bit of life they just pop
to take on a bit of life they just pop
to take on a bit of life they just pop out of nowhere really I sometimes I
out of nowhere really I sometimes I
out of nowhere really I sometimes I force an idea just by writing the
force an idea just by writing the
force an idea just by writing the opening paragraphs of imaginary novels
opening paragraphs of imaginary novels
opening paragraphs of imaginary novels imaginary novels in the sense that I
imaginary novels in the sense that I
imaginary novels in the sense that I don’t have to think for a moment I’m
don’t have to think for a moment I’m
don’t have to think for a moment I’m going to write them
going to write them
going to write them but this is how they would begin if I
but this is how they would begin if I
but this is how they would begin if I did right and that way I can sometimes
did right and that way I can sometimes
did right and that way I can sometimes trick myself into being interested in
trick myself into being interested in
trick myself into being interested in what I’ve just written and force away in
what I’ve just written and force away in
what I’ve just written and force away in that way and I’ve started many novels
that way and I’ve started many novels
that way and I’ve started many novels like that atonement started exactly in
like that atonement started exactly in
like that atonement started exactly in that way experimental few paragraphs
that way experimental few paragraphs
that way experimental few paragraphs with with a sense of no obligation and
with with a sense of no obligation and
with with a sense of no obligation and it’s that freedom writing openings or
it’s that freedom writing openings or
it’s that freedom writing openings or even middles of novels knowing that you
even middles of novels knowing that you
even middles of novels knowing that you don’t actually have to bother to write
don’t actually have to bother to write
don’t actually have to bother to write them it gives you a sort of insouciance
you tread in places that you wouldn’t
you tread in places that you wouldn’t otherwise go that’s the closest I could
otherwise go that’s the closest I could
otherwise go that’s the closest I could ever say I have to any method of getting
ever say I have to any method of getting
ever say I have to any method of getting an idea
if you want to learn how to make it as a
if you want to learn how to make it as a writer check out the video right there
writer check out the video right there
writer check out the video right there next to me I think you’ll enjoy it
next to me I think you’ll enjoy it
next to me I think you’ll enjoy it continue to believe and I’ll see you
continue to believe and I’ll see you
continue to believe and I’ll see you there
there
there I often get asked by younger readers
I often get asked by younger readers
I often get asked by younger readers what I would advise if you want to be a
what I would advise if you want to be a
what I would advise if you want to be a writer this is the way I did it so
writer this is the way I did it so
writer this is the way I did it so that’s the only advice I can give
need motivation watch it top 10 we believe nation
he’s he in the qilin and here’s my cake
he’s he in the qilin and here’s my cake on his top ten rose to success joy my
on his top ten rose to success joy my
on his top ten rose to success joy my advice is this to anyone who announces
advice is this to anyone who announces
advice is this to anyone who announces they want to be a writer will for a
they want to be a writer will for a
they want to be a writer will for a start nothing stops you you cannot go
start nothing stops you you cannot go
start nothing stops you you cannot go around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a writer all you need is a block of paper
writer all you need is a block of paper
writer all you need is a block of paper and a pencil
and a pencil
and a pencil what should you do well my first piece
what should you do well my first piece
what should you do well my first piece of advice is this concentrate on the
of advice is this concentrate on the
of advice is this concentrate on the short story
short story
short story do not waste the next five years of your
do not waste the next five years of your
do not waste the next five years of your life writing an 800 page block of a
life writing an 800 page block of a
life writing an 800 page block of a novel that might well be a failure but
novel that might well be a failure but
novel that might well be a failure but your toe in the water gently the short
your toe in the water gently the short
your toe in the water gently the short story is a very difficult form hard to
story is a very difficult form hard to
story is a very difficult form hard to do well but it is a wonderful laboratory
do well but it is a wonderful laboratory
do well but it is a wonderful laboratory you can try out all the voices you can
you can try out all the voices you can
you can try out all the voices you can consciously imitate those writers who
consciously imitate those writers who
consciously imitate those writers who seem to be breathing too passionately
seem to be breathing too passionately
seem to be breathing too passionately down your neck but a good short story or
down your neck but a good short story or
down your neck but a good short story or even a bad short story could only take
even a bad short story could only take
even a bad short story could only take you a week three weeks six weeks you
you a week three weeks six weeks you
you a week three weeks six weeks you will not have wasted three years number
will not have wasted three years number
will not have wasted three years number two show up I always believe that it’s
two show up I always believe that it’s
two show up I always believe that it’s very important to turn up at this test
very important to turn up at this test
very important to turn up at this test whether you feel like you don’t know
whether you feel like you don’t know
whether you feel like you don’t know whether you have ideas or not you’ve got
whether you have ideas or not you’ve got
whether you have ideas or not you’ve got to have the work ethic that makes you
to have the work ethic that makes you
to have the work ethic that makes you show up when I’ve got a piece of work
show up when I’ve got a piece of work
show up when I’ve got a piece of work going and I like to be there like ah ha
going and I like to be there like ah ha
going and I like to be there like ah ha past 9 it’s very important to close off
past 9 it’s very important to close off
past 9 it’s very important to close off all those avenues to the outside world
all those avenues to the outside world
all those avenues to the outside world like the Internet the email the
like the Internet the email the
like the Internet the email the telephones I switch all those things off
telephones I switch all those things off
telephones I switch all those things off and try and get a solid that have work
and try and get a solid that have work
and try and get a solid that have work done before lunchtime and a solid bit of
done before lunchtime and a solid bit of
done before lunchtime and a solid bit of work for me would be somewhere between
work for me would be somewhere between
work for me would be somewhere between five and eight hundred words can I’d
five and eight hundred words can I’d
five and eight hundred words can I’d feel happy then
feel happy then
feel happy then if I’d got that down rule number three
if I’d got that down rule number three
if I’d got that down rule number three love the process I was struck by a
love the process I was struck by a
love the process I was struck by a comment you made once about the actual
comment you made once about the actual
comment you made once about the actual business of writing and you said that
business of writing and you said that
business of writing and you said that one of the things that academics often
one of the things that academics often
one of the things that academics often miss is that and your exact words we’re
miss is that and your exact words we’re
miss is that and your exact words we’re writing as a self-pleasuring Act which
writing as a self-pleasuring Act which
writing as a self-pleasuring Act which part from beings like that off-color
part from beings like that off-color
part from beings like that off-color image I thought was fascinating because
image I thought was fascinating because
image I thought was fascinating because so many writers describe the actual
so many writers describe the actual
so many writers describe the actual business of getting the words down as
business of getting the words down as
business of getting the words down as are some painful processed do you
are some painful processed do you
are some painful processed do you actually get fun get kicks out of the
actually get fun get kicks out of the
actually get fun get kicks out of the process of getting the words onto the
process of getting the words onto the
process of getting the words onto the page I mean I think all writers are
page I mean I think all writers are
page I mean I think all writers are lying when they if they deny some
lying when they if they deny some
lying when they if they deny some pleasure in it pleasure principle is
pleasure in it pleasure principle is
pleasure in it pleasure principle is very strong there are those moments when
very strong there are those moments when
very strong there are those moments when something goes well in the morning for
something goes well in the morning for
something goes well in the morning for half an hour or an hour I try to
half an hour or an hour I try to
half an hour or an hour I try to describe this experience and I think
describe this experience and I think
describe this experience and I think everyone’s had it we don’t have a good
everyone’s had it we don’t have a good
everyone’s had it we don’t have a good word for it it’s a form of happiness I
word for it it’s a form of happiness I
word for it it’s a form of happiness I mean one psychologist called it float
mean one psychologist called it float
mean one psychologist called it float and quite enough total absorption in
and quite enough total absorption in
and quite enough total absorption in trying to do something it could be you
trying to do something it could be you
trying to do something it could be you know playing a game of tennis or
know playing a game of tennis or
know playing a game of tennis or gardening or cooking a meal or writing a
gardening or cooking a meal or writing a
gardening or cooking a meal or writing a novel but it’s that wonderful suspension
novel but it’s that wonderful suspension
novel but it’s that wonderful suspension from time and from the narrative of your
from time and from the narrative of your
from time and from the narrative of your existence when you’re simply absolutely
existence when you’re simply absolutely
existence when you’re simply absolutely lost to the thing you’re doing and you
lost to the thing you’re doing and you
lost to the thing you’re doing and you don’t even remember who you are and you
don’t even remember who you are and you
don’t even remember who you are and you don’t even feel any pleasure at the time
don’t even feel any pleasure at the time
don’t even feel any pleasure at the time and those moments which I think are rare
and those moments which I think are rare
and those moments which I think are rare for all of us but when we only know them
for all of us but when we only know them
for all of us but when we only know them in retrospect is when the doorbell rings
in retrospect is when the doorbell rings
in retrospect is when the doorbell rings and you pop out of it that you realize
and you pop out of it that you realize
and you pop out of it that you realize that you have been supremely happy rule
that you have been supremely happy rule
that you have been supremely happy rule number four keep a journal
number four keep a journal
number four keep a journal you must dedicate yourself to keeping a
you must dedicate yourself to keeping a
you must dedicate yourself to keeping a journal when I look into my own journals
journal when I look into my own journals
journal when I look into my own journals what fascinates me most about what was
what fascinates me most about what was
what fascinates me most about what was going on in my life thirty years ago are
going on in my life thirty years ago are
going on in my life thirty years ago are the things that we would consider the
the things that we would consider the
the things that we would consider the most mundane
most mundane
most mundane what was I reading who was I talking to
what was I reading who was I talking to
what was I reading who was I talking to what were the main subjects of
what were the main subjects of
what were the main subjects of conversation where you’re living
conversation where you’re living
conversation where you’re living what’s on your desk who do you love even
what’s on your desk who do you love even
what’s on your desk who do you love even what you had for breakfast it doesn’t
what you had for breakfast it doesn’t
what you had for breakfast it doesn’t matter that banality is actually begin
matter that banality is actually begin
matter that banality is actually begin to shine after many years have passed
to shine after many years have passed
to shine after many years have passed you don’t have to write in it every day
you don’t have to write in it every day
you don’t have to write in it every day once a week would be fine 500 words a
once a week would be fine 500 words a
once a week would be fine 500 words a week doesn’t sound much but it really
week doesn’t sound much but it really
week doesn’t sound much but it really mounts up that’s 25,000 words a year the
mounts up that’s 25,000 words a year the
mounts up that’s 25,000 words a year the terrible thing about life is that most
terrible thing about life is that most
terrible thing about life is that most of it is forgotten and a lot of it is
of it is forgotten and a lot of it is
of it is forgotten and a lot of it is rich and a lot of that richness can be
rich and a lot of that richness can be
rich and a lot of that richness can be retained for future use by an occasional
retained for future use by an occasional
retained for future use by an occasional excursion into an oak also if you want
excursion into an oak also if you want
excursion into an oak also if you want to cry sake be queuing and other riders
to cry sake be queuing and other riders
to cry sake be queuing and other riders on how to be a successful writer check
on how to be a successful writer check
on how to be a successful writer check out my to 54 writer program the link is
out my to 54 writer program the link is
out my to 54 writer program the link is in the description below you cannot go
in the description below you cannot go
in the description below you cannot go around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer
around saying you want to be a writer you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a
you can only go around saying I am a writer the reading has to be done if you
writer the reading has to be done if you
writer the reading has to be done if you don’t read as a novelist you’re liable
don’t read as a novelist you’re liable
don’t read as a novelist you’re liable to be hugely influenced by the writers
to be hugely influenced by the writers
to be hugely influenced by the writers you haven’t read again take you a year
you haven’t read again take you a year
you haven’t read again take you a year could take you 6 months you might even
could take you 6 months you might even
could take you 6 months you might even get it all down in one delirious month
get it all down in one delirious month
get it all down in one delirious month rule number 5 break routines leaving
rule number 5 break routines leaving
rule number 5 break routines leaving space between books is very important
space between books is very important
space between books is very important you know as to stop even thinking about
you know as to stop even thinking about
you know as to stop even thinking about novel writing and get on with knowing
novel writing and get on with knowing
novel writing and get on with knowing more traveling a bit or for example
more traveling a bit or for example
more traveling a bit or for example before writing solar I was quite happy
before writing solar I was quite happy
before writing solar I was quite happy attending climate change conferences I
attending climate change conferences I
attending climate change conferences I thought that didn’t think oh I can it’s
thought that didn’t think oh I can it’s
thought that didn’t think oh I can it’s because I’m researching a novel this is
because I’m researching a novel this is
because I’m researching a novel this is because I’d been in conversations with
because I’d been in conversations with
because I’d been in conversations with various scientists and people and they I
various scientists and people and they I
various scientists and people and they I got drawn into the subject and step by
got drawn into the subject and step by
got drawn into the subject and step by step I found myself deeper in and only
step I found myself deeper in and only
step I found myself deeper in and only later thought I could get a novel out of
later thought I could get a novel out of
later thought I could get a novel out of this or wanted to write a novel about it
this or wanted to write a novel about it
this or wanted to write a novel about it taking journeys is a good way to free
taking journeys is a good way to free
taking journeys is a good way to free the mind up to be away from home to be
the mind up to be away from home to be
the mind up to be away from home to be away from home is and away from the
away from home is and away from the
away from home is and away from the obligations of paying bills of being in
obligations of paying bills of being in
obligations of paying bills of being in routines breaking routines I think is
routines breaking routines I think is
routines breaking routines I think is crucial rule number six find your
crucial rule number six find your
crucial rule number six find your creative process what’s the process um I
creative process what’s the process um I
creative process what’s the process um I have a very nice study there’s a table
have a very nice study there’s a table
have a very nice study there’s a table at the table is one of the few things I
at the table is one of the few things I
at the table is one of the few things I ever built myself back in the early 80s
ever built myself back in the early 80s
ever built myself back in the early 80s so there’s lots of room either side for
so there’s lots of room either side for
so there’s lots of room either side for writing in longhand and writing in
writing in longhand and writing in
writing in longhand and writing in longhand and working on a computer I
longhand and working on a computer I
longhand and working on a computer I think is perfect I mean so much better
think is perfect I mean so much better
think is perfect I mean so much better than the mechanical business of the
than the mechanical business of the
than the mechanical business of the typewriter so you start in longhand do
typewriter so you start in longhand do
typewriter so you start in longhand do you I start in longhand I write notes
you I start in longhand I write notes
you I start in longhand I write notes and messages and exhortation to myself
and messages and exhortation to myself
and messages and exhortation to myself can it really be interesting a ring
can it really be interesting a ring
can it really be interesting a ring bound a four green black ink always and
bound a four green black ink always and
bound a four green black ink always and I press medium high and these are notes
I press medium high and these are notes
I press medium high and these are notes or the actual or the actual these are
or the actual or the actual these are
or the actual or the actual these are presages bits of prose and then
presages bits of prose and then
presages bits of prose and then sometimes if I’m starting a chapter in
sometimes if I’m starting a chapter in
sometimes if I’m starting a chapter in its say chapter four I write the word
its say chapter four I write the word
its say chapter four I write the word contains : and then I think all the
contains : and then I think all the
contains : and then I think all the elements that this chapter will contain
elements that this chapter will contain
elements that this chapter will contain as I understand it at that point try out
as I understand it at that point try out
as I understand it at that point try out sentences sometimes I write plots of
sentences sometimes I write plots of
sentences sometimes I write plots of novels I’ve found that one of the most
novels I’ve found that one of the most
novels I’ve found that one of the most freeing things you can do as a writer is
freeing things you can do as a writer is
freeing things you can do as a writer is to describe the novel which you’re never
to describe the novel which you’re never
to describe the novel which you’re never going to be bothered to write you have
going to be bothered to write you have
going to be bothered to write you have no burdens on you or you write the
no burdens on you or you write the
no burdens on you or you write the opening sentence to a novel that you’re
opening sentence to a novel that you’re
opening sentence to a novel that you’re not going to write you feel completely
not going to write you feel completely
not going to write you feel completely free and sometimes I’ve written myself
free and sometimes I’ve written myself
free and sometimes I’ve written myself into a novel that way I started a
into a novel that way I started a
into a novel that way I started a tournament that way with a careless
tournament that way with a careless
tournament that way with a careless sentence and then a paragraph and then
sentence and then a paragraph and then
sentence and then a paragraph and then thought well maybe there’s something
thought well maybe there’s something
thought well maybe there’s something here rule number seven who find your
here rule number seven who find your
here rule number seven who find your authenticity you need to write through
authenticity you need to write through
authenticity you need to write through your influences shake off the voices or
your influences shake off the voices or
your influences shake off the voices or celebrate them I mean but write with a
celebrate them I mean but write with a
celebrate them I mean but write with a sense of moving towards
sense of moving towards
sense of moving towards what is truly yours eventually but to do
what is truly yours eventually but to do
what is truly yours eventually but to do that you’re gonna have to screw up and
that you’re gonna have to screw up and
that you’re gonna have to screw up and you can write five truly terrible short
you can write five truly terrible short
you can write five truly terrible short stories and you will not have lost more
stories and you will not have lost more
stories and you will not have lost more than six months thrill never eat go with
than six months thrill never eat go with
than six months thrill never eat go with the flow I never know what I’m going to
the flow I never know what I’m going to
the flow I never know what I’m going to do next and I think that’s one of the
do next and I think that’s one of the
do next and I think that’s one of the pleasures of a writing career he’s just
pleasures of a writing career he’s just
pleasures of a writing career he’s just three years ago I would never have
three years ago I would never have
three years ago I would never have guessed I was writing this novel five
guessed I was writing this novel five
guessed I was writing this novel five years ago I’d never would have guessed
years ago I’d never would have guessed
years ago I’d never would have guessed writing the children out there is a meta
writing the children out there is a meta
writing the children out there is a meta plot I think of a writer’s life which is
plot I think of a writer’s life which is
plot I think of a writer’s life which is the work the five feet in my case it
the work the five feet in my case it
the work the five feet in my case it will be 18 inches but size doesn’t
will be 18 inches but size doesn’t
will be 18 inches but size doesn’t matter of how you got from your first
matter of how you got from your first
matter of how you got from your first novel to your last it’s a story of your
novel to your last it’s a story of your
novel to your last it’s a story of your life in a sense or your creative life
life in a sense or your creative life
life in a sense or your creative life but it cannot be pre-planned so I
but it cannot be pre-planned so I
but it cannot be pre-planned so I honestly don’t know at the moment my I’m
honestly don’t know at the moment my I’m
honestly don’t know at the moment my I’m so pleasantly empty of what I’ll do next
so pleasantly empty of what I’ll do next
so pleasantly empty of what I’ll do next rule number nine learn to say no and I
rule number nine learn to say no and I
rule number nine learn to say no and I just wondered how on earth you restore
just wondered how on earth you restore
just wondered how on earth you restore the stock of ideas how do you live
the stock of ideas how do you live
the stock of ideas how do you live enough between the novels to replenish
enough between the novels to replenish
enough between the novels to replenish the ideas supply and where and where
the ideas supply and where and where
the ideas supply and where and where does where does hiking fit into the
does where does hiking fit into the
does where does hiking fit into the creative process well I don’t feel
creative process well I don’t feel
creative process well I don’t feel prolific so it’s odd you should say that
prolific so it’s odd you should say that
prolific so it’s odd you should say that I mean I think of you know Updike or oh
I mean I think of you know Updike or oh
I mean I think of you know Updike or oh that matter Philip Roth is really
that matter Philip Roth is really
that matter Philip Roth is really prolific and I do take quite a long time
prolific and I do take quite a long time
prolific and I do take quite a long time between Knowles but I make time partly
between Knowles but I make time partly
between Knowles but I make time partly by saying no to people like you it’s
by saying no to people like you it’s
by saying no to people like you it’s very important often with a real tug on
very important often with a real tug on
very important often with a real tug on the heart and it gets harder and harder
the heart and it gets harder and harder
the heart and it gets harder and harder to defend that private space I think
to defend that private space I think
to defend that private space I think this is true for most writers unless
this is true for most writers unless
this is true for most writers unless you’re a real recluse you’re in the
you’re a real recluse you’re in the
you’re a real recluse you’re in the world that world is hungry for ideas
world that world is hungry for ideas
world that world is hungry for ideas opinions involvement
opinions involvement
opinions involvement and a lot of the people who are on the
and a lot of the people who are on the
and a lot of the people who are on the other end of the line are both
other end of the line are both
other end of the line are both persuasive intelligent and interesting
persuasive intelligent and interesting
persuasive intelligent and interesting and it’s always a little tug at the
and it’s always a little tug at the
and it’s always a little tug at the heart to say no but it’s absolutely
heart to say no but it’s absolutely
heart to say no but it’s absolutely vital and rule never returned the last
vital and rule never returned the last
vital and rule never returned the last one before a very special bonus clip is
one before a very special bonus clip is
one before a very special bonus clip is find happiness my friend Christopher
find happiness my friend Christopher
find happiness my friend Christopher Hitchens once said that one of his
Hitchens once said that one of his
Hitchens once said that one of his definitions of happiness was to work all
definitions of happiness was to work all
definitions of happiness was to work all day in the knowledge that he was seeing
day in the knowledge that he was seeing
day in the knowledge that he was seeing an interesting friend in the evening so
an interesting friend in the evening so
an interesting friend in the evening so sometimes that interesting friend is my
sometimes that interesting friend is my
sometimes that interesting friend is my wife or one of my children or one of my
wife or one of my children or one of my
wife or one of my children or one of my interesting friends but I do like that
interesting friends but I do like that
interesting friends but I do like that sense that there’s gonna be food and
sense that there’s gonna be food and
sense that there’s gonna be food and wine from about 7:30 on if it fits I’ll
wine from about 7:30 on if it fits I’ll
wine from about 7:30 on if it fits I’ll go back after dinner maybe to look at
go back after dinner maybe to look at
go back after dinner maybe to look at the day’s work again I’ve got a special
the day’s work again I’ve got a special
the day’s work again I’ve got a special bonus coming on how to spark ideas that
bonus coming on how to spark ideas that
bonus coming on how to spark ideas that I think you’re gonna enjoy but before
I think you’re gonna enjoy but before
I think you’re gonna enjoy but before that is time for the three-point landing
that is time for the three-point landing
that is time for the three-point landing questions we gotta move from just
questions we gotta move from just
questions we gotta move from just watching video to actually taking action
watching video to actually taking action
watching video to actually taking action in your life for business here we go
in your life for business here we go
in your life for business here we go question number one what do you need to
question number one what do you need to
question number one what do you need to learn to say no to right now number two
learn to say no to right now number two
learn to say no to right now number two when are you most creative and how can
when are you most creative and how can
when are you most creative and how can you put that into your daily routine and
you put that into your daily routine and
you put that into your daily routine and number three how can you keep to writing
number three how can you keep to writing
number three how can you keep to writing a journal every day for the next it is I
a journal every day for the next it is I
a journal every day for the next it is I don’t know where ideas come from all if
don’t know where ideas come from all if
don’t know where ideas come from all if I knew I had a clear idea of that I’d
I knew I had a clear idea of that I’d
I knew I had a clear idea of that I’d have more often I do a lot of hiking and
have more often I do a lot of hiking and
have more often I do a lot of hiking and the rhythm of walking is very amenable I
the rhythm of walking is very amenable I
the rhythm of walking is very amenable I think to the rhythm of thinking and
think to the rhythm of thinking and
think to the rhythm of thinking and that’s a good way of letting ideas begin
that’s a good way of letting ideas begin
that’s a good way of letting ideas begin to take on a bit of life they just pop
to take on a bit of life they just pop
to take on a bit of life they just pop out of nowhere really I sometimes I
out of nowhere really I sometimes I
out of nowhere really I sometimes I force an idea just by writing the
force an idea just by writing the
force an idea just by writing the opening paragraphs of imaginary novels
opening paragraphs of imaginary novels
opening paragraphs of imaginary novels imaginary novels in the sense that I
imaginary novels in the sense that I
imaginary novels in the sense that I don’t have to think for a moment I’m
don’t have to think for a moment I’m
don’t have to think for a moment I’m going to write them
going to write them
going to write them but this is how they would begin if I
but this is how they would begin if I
but this is how they would begin if I did right and that way I can sometimes
did right and that way I can sometimes
did right and that way I can sometimes trick myself into being interested in
trick myself into being interested in
trick myself into being interested in what I’ve just written and force away in
what I’ve just written and force away in
what I’ve just written and force away in that way and I’ve started many novels
that way and I’ve started many novels
that way and I’ve started many novels like that atonement started exactly in
like that atonement started exactly in
like that atonement started exactly in that way experimental few paragraphs
that way experimental few paragraphs
that way experimental few paragraphs with with a sense of no obligation and
with with a sense of no obligation and
with with a sense of no obligation and it’s that freedom writing openings or
it’s that freedom writing openings or
it’s that freedom writing openings or even middles of novels knowing that you
even middles of novels knowing that you
even middles of novels knowing that you don’t actually have to bother to write
don’t actually have to bother to write
don’t actually have to bother to write them it gives you a sort of insouciance
you tread in places that you wouldn’t
you tread in places that you wouldn’t otherwise go that’s the closest I could
otherwise go that’s the closest I could
otherwise go that’s the closest I could ever say I have to any method of getting
ever say I have to any method of getting
ever say I have to any method of getting an idea
if you want to learn how to make it as a
if you want to learn how to make it as a writer check out the video right there
writer check out the video right there
writer check out the video right there next to me I think you’ll enjoy it
next to me I think you’ll enjoy it
next to me I think you’ll enjoy it continue to believe and I’ll see you
continue to believe and I’ll see you
continue to believe and I’ll see you there
there
there I often get asked by younger readers
I often get asked by younger readers
I often get asked by younger readers what I would advise if you want to be a
what I would advise if you want to be a
what I would advise if you want to be a writer this is the way I did it so
writer this is the way I did it so
writer this is the way I did it so that’s the only advice I can give
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