Jeff Goins's Blog, page 66
July 2, 2014
012: Learning the Secret to Mastery: An Interview with Robert Greene [Podcast]
Do you sometimes look at your life and wonder how you got to where you are, why you’re doing what you’re doing? Do you wonder what you’re meant to do?
We were all born to do something important. That’s what Robert Greene believes, anyway. In fact, he’s written a whole book on the subject called Mastery.
Mastery by Robert Greene
Awhile back, I had a chance to sit down (virtually speaking) with Robert and interview him. We talked about the concept of calling, apprenticeship, and how to master your craft.
Greene believes we all have something we intuitively know we were meant to do, and the path to that work — what he calls your “life’s task” — is less glamorous than we’ve been told.
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about finding this life’s task of yours, how to undergo the ideal apprenticeship, and how organization frees us to be more creative.
I also ask Robert, who happens to be an internationally-bestselling author to share a little more of his story about how he became a writer.
Click to listen
To listen to the show, click the player below (if viewing this in email click here).
You can also download it at iTunes or on Stitcher.
Opportunity knocks
Robert always knew he wanted to write. He just didn’t know what he wanted to write about. He tried journalism and then Hollywood, but both the news and the movies left him dissatisfied.
By chance, in his mid-30s, he met a man who worked in the book packaging business. The man asked if Robert had any ideas for books.
After that meeting, Robert instinctively knew that writing nonfiction was his life’s task. In fact, his answer, an improvisation, eventually became The 48 Laws of Power, his first best-seller.
The ideal apprenticeship
There’s a lesson in Robert’s story: You don’t have to know exactly where you are going when you start. It can be a journey, as long as you have general sense of the direction you want to move.
For Robert, his direction was writing. Before he ever wrote a book, he spent time developing the skills he’d need to write one. He didn’t waste his time waiting to be famous.
He did the work he loved because he loved the work. (Tweet that)
Organization frees us to finish
One of the things Robert learned was the importance of organization.
You’ve got to get over the idea that structure is boring. It’s actually incredibly sexy. Part of Napoleon’s genius was knowing how to organize the greatest army on the planet at the time. - Robert Greene
Many projects fail because people run out of energy. Someone has a great idea, but not enough energy to finish it.
Robert argues that we can avert this by doing the hard work of structuring our thoughts and taking that idea all the way to the end.
In this episode of The Portfolio Life, we also covered:
Greene’s writing process
Why mastery isn’t something you’re born with
Why the secret to doing what you love is in your childhood
Listen to the whole episode to get the scoop.
You can find out more about Robert Greene and his writings on his website. His book, Mastery, is available on Amazon (affiliate link).
Download the full transcript of this interview here.
Memorable quotes
“It’s not the fact that you’re born a genius, or that you have a larger brain. It’s the level of dedication and persistence and patience.”
“The more you learn in this apprenticeship phase, the more you’re prepared for those moments that will eventually come to you.”
“You don’t have to find exactly what you want early on in life. It can be a voyage, a journey that takes a few years, as long as you have a general sense of the direction you need to be headed.”
“What people don’t realize is that the greatest jazz artist ever, John Coltrane, in a medium known for its spontaneity, was a practice freak.”
“The effort and years of practice you put in will let you become much more creative and intuitive.”
Have you started your journey?
Robert’s advice can apply to any calling. Whether you’re passionate about writing or teaching or making the best guacamole ever, mastering it is a journey.
I hope you enjoy the interview. Feel free to download it and share with friends. And I would love for you to take a moment and leave an honest review. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please tweet about it or share it with your friends on Facebook.
You can also copy and paste this URL into the podcast player of your choice: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePortfo...
Also, if you have any questions for future episodes like this one, let me know (just shoot an email to jeff at goinswriter dot com).
See me in Portland next week!
Next week, I’m traveling to Portland for the World Domination Summit, and if you’re going to be one of the thousands attending (or you’re in the area), I’d love to meet you.
I’ll be hosting a meetup with my friend and expert book marketer Tim Grahl in Portland, OR on Friday, July 11, and I’d love to see you there!
Click here to register for this free event.
What would mastery look like for you? Share in the comments.
June 27, 2014
Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes: Cutting Your Art Loose
I was never a musician and certainly not a singer. At least that’s what I continually told myself. I could casually strum familiar chords and I knew a few song progressions, maybe enough to entertain – well – myself.
Photo Credit: MomoFotografi via Compfight cc
I was certainly not a performer. In fact, I played behind closed doors and only graced myself with my lack of vocal ability in the shower or in the car.
I had tried the stage thing before. Nothing but crickets.
Regardless of encouragement from family and friends, I never believed in my art.
Believe in your art
One night, while some friends were over, they harassed me into picking up the guitar. At their request, I played and sang along to familiar favorites.
Before the night was over, I was being offered a playing gig. One of the friends was the event director for our community pool and threw out the offer.
“I’ll give you $100 to come play for our cookout.”
Just out of college, I sure could use the $100. So, I took my first gig.
At the pool party, I was approached by someone else.
“I own a restaurant downtown; I would love you to play one night. How much do you charge?”
I said the first thing that came to mind, “I don’t perform really.”
“Well you should, how’s $100?”
Two weeks later, I was playing downtown. However, I still didn’t embrace the reality that I was becoming a musician, being paid to entertain.
I knew nothing of playing in front of crowds and I was completely oblivious to having a setlist. I sang what I wanted to sing and played what came to mind. Mostly Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson and random 80’s favorites from my childhood, an odd setlist at that. Somehow, the gigs kept coming and before I knew it, I was playing four nights a week.
There was never this aha moment; there was never the name-in-lights. It just always seemed to happen. One show after another.
Despite being continually paid to perform, I found myself still using the same line.
“I’m not a musician.”
What was it going to take for me to believe in myself?
One night, it happened.
I found myself in unfamiliar territory. I’d gotten used to cafes, small restaurants and college venues, but this night I was in a place I could only call a smoky bar. It was a different crowd that I had ever played to.
The bar owner offered an open mic and told me it would serve as an audition for future gigs.
I jumped up and started my usual gig. I mixed in an atypical cover of a ridiculously awesome ‘80s song, Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose.”
It bombed. I bombed.
Needless to say, I didn’t get any future gigs there.
Know Thy Audience
This experience taught me what the ancient philosophers said was essential: “Know Thyself.”
In this case, I’ll add, “Know Thy Audience.”
With any art, whether it be writing, painting or music, you can’t sacrifice yourself. You never sell out to your audience. You simply need to know them.
Whether I believed it or not, I was a musician. I needed to embrace it and understand my art.
Finding the cross-section between who you are and what your audience is demanding is essential. In my case as a musician, I had played pool parties and cafes. The new venue was me trying to do too much, to be someone I wasn’t.
This lesson has given me great confidence as a writer.
For a long time, I tried to wedge myself into following all of the rules and being perfect.
I failed to define my art.
I’ve learned that clear definitions lead to clear direction.
As a musician I was reminded to stick with the crowd that likes cheesy ‘80s music and cut loose when prompted. They loved it.
As you perfect your art, let your audience guide you. Listen to their cheers as you believe in your art and let it move you.
Jeff has written, “Art is only as good as the people it moves.” I love that line.
My lesson as a singer? I can’t move everyone. And that’s OK.
What is your audience telling you? Share in the comments.
June 25, 2014
011: Self-Promotion is a Misnomer (and Other Things You Wanted to Know About Marketing) [Podcast]
Do you want to be this guy, standing on a corner and shouting about your latest blog post? I don’t either.
June 20, 2014
Why Everyone Should Start an Online Business (or How You Can Be Your Own Patron)
Most people I talk to are at least a little curious (and sometimes skeptical) about the idea of starting an online business. But it’s not quite as mysterious as it sounds.
Photo Credit: Stuck in Customs via Compfight cc
For the longest time, I avoided the world of online marketing and business. It sounded sketchy (and the truth was a lot of it was). But when I launched my own business, what I discovered about making money online surprised me.
Here’s what I learned:
You don’t have to over-crowd your website with ugly pop-up ads that attack the user.
You don’t have to turn into a used car salesman with slicked-back, greasy hair, hawking useless products at people who don’t want or need them.
You don’t have to spam people to death and sell your soul just to make a buck (promise).
You can, in fact, build a legitimate business simply by helping people.
Does this sound like you?
I have a missionary friend who doesn’t make enough money to save for an emergency. If she ever gets in a car accident or runs into some kind of financial crisis, her life will be very difficult. She calls it living by “faith;” I call it living foolishly.
My younger sister recently graduated from college a couple years ago and is now having trouble entering a crowded market that’s in the process of downsizing. She feels stuck, like there’s no place to go.
My wife and I know a couple that’s adopting a child from Uganda (which can be expensive), and they’re exploring ways of making a side income online. The trouble is they’re not sure where to start.
And of course, I have a ton of friends who are working a day job, while waiting to be picked to publish a book or be hired by their dream company — some day. In the meantime, they’re growing frustrated.
What are these people supposed to do? One strategy would be to stop waiting for opportunity to come and instead to take it. They can start an online business.
Three reasons this is a no-brainer decision
Why an online business? Three reasons:
It’s cheap.
It’s simple.
It’s profitable.
Look. I’m not going to tell you starting a business is easy — it’s not. But launching your venture online makes this easier than it’s ever been.
In the old days, if you wanted to be an entrepreneur, you had to take a lot of risk. You had to buy or rent office space, raise capital (which usually meant going into debt), hire a team, and hope for the best.
In those days, I never would’ve wanted to start a business. I never would’ve been able. But now you can start a business for as little as $100 (just ask Chris Guillebeau) — if you really want to do it.
What it really costs to become an entrepreneur
So if you want to do this, here’s what it’ll cost you:
$0/year to buy a domain name (they’re free when you sign up for a hosting account)
$5/month for web hosting
$0 to download (website-building software)
$0 to install a free design theme for your blog/website
$5/month for an online shopping cart (to sell stuff)
$0 to accept purchases through Paypal
$0 to start an email newsletter
That’s around $120 for the whole year. Not bad, right?
My dad used to run a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with dirt-cheap rent, and he paid over 20 times that. We live in an age of unbelievable opportunity — for those who are willing to undertake something new, something a little scary, and figure it out.
And that’s the real cost of becoming an entrepreneur — not the money, but the time and sweat equity it takes to find out what people want and deliver it to them. Incidentally, it’s also the most rewarding part of the job.
It’s cheap to start, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. As you grow your business, the expenses can rack up (they certainly have for me), but so will the revenue. The point, though, is this: the hardest part is now the easiest.
All it takes is a little time, energy, and the will to endure.
“But I’m an artist…”
So you’re an artist. Like Hemingway. Or Leonardo da Vinci. Or the thousands who have come before you — and starved. That is, of course, unless they had a patron, someone generous enough to pay their bills so they could make art.
But here’s the thing: There are no more patrons. Not really. No one’s going to give you a heap of money for your genius. The chances of a publisher buying your manuscript for a million dollars is unlikely.
Sure, these things happen — occasionally. But you don’t have time to wait around for someone to notice you. You’ve got important work to share now. That patron? It’s going to have to be you. And the best part is we live in an age when this has never been easier.
Yes, easy. Compared to the Renaissance and the Roaring Twenties and even the late 1980s when publishers were doling out multi-six-figure advances to first-time authors, it’s easy to finance your calling. You just need some guts and and a little perseverance.
Don’t get me wrong. Starting a business will require hard work on your part, but it is possible (and surprisingly cheap). Which is what make this whole thing remarkable: Anyone who wants to do it, can do it.
And that, as per usual, is the really scary part. Because now it’s up to you.
Note: If you’ve ever thought about this, you have to check out the new book LAUNCH by Jeff Walker, which will teach you everything you need to know about launching an online business. And here’s the crazy part: for a limited time, you can get it for free (just pay shipping and handling). Just don’t wait, because this offer ends this Sunday, June 22. Find out more here.
Have you ever thought of launching an online business? What’s stopped you? Share in the comments.
June 19, 2014
010: Professor Jonah Berger on the Science Behind Contagious Content (And Why You’re Probably Doing It Wrong) [Podcast]
You’ve heard me say it (a lot): Create for yourself first. Don’t focus on numbers. But here’s the truth: I still want my ideas to go viral.
Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
If I’m being honest, I don’t just write to write. I also write to be read.
Most of us want to influence others with our words and actions. We want to see our message spread to those who need it most. And that’s not such a bad thing.
Whether you’re writing to inspire or inform or even to entertain, you want people to engage with your content and share it with friends. That’s what a life of impact is all about.
In this episode of the podcast, Jonah Berger shares with us six principles to craft contagious content and destroys a few myths in the process.
Jonah Berger is the Associate Professor of Marketing at Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and bestselling author of Contagious: Why Things Catch On, a fantastic book on the science behind how ideas spread.
Click to listen
To listen to the show, click the player below (if viewing this in email click here).
You can also download it at iTunes or on Stitcher.
It’s not about luck
Jonah and his team have researched thousands of examples of viral content, both big and small. They’ve analyzed data and identified patterns. And they’ve discovered that most of us are thinking about virality all wrong.
Going viral isn’t random, magic, or luck. It’s a science. (Tweet that)
They discovered six principles driving popular content:
Social Currency
Triggers
Emotion
Public
Practical Value
Stories
Remember Gangnam Style? Jonah explains why it (and a bunch of other hot trends) spread so fast. (Check out the stories at ViralityExplained.com.)
It’s not about influencers
I used to think that one or two powerful influencers sharing my content could help it go viral. But while influencers are great, Jonah discovered that the key to virality is creating content that’s contagious regardless of who shares it.
It’s better to get ordinary people talking about an extraordinary idea than to try getting extraordinary people to share an ordinary idea.
I found this out when my blog post about travel went viral six months after I wrote it. It wasn’t through a big influencer or a coordinated campaign. A group of everyday people found it and shared it, because they found the content relevant and inspiring.
It’s not all about online traffic
Those average, everyday people? They spend about two and a half hours a day online. That’s a lot of time, so it’s natural to focus on online promotion. But that same person spends about 12 hours offline every day.
Face-to-face is the original social media. (Tweet that)
To create truly contagious content, you need to capture offline conversations: at breakfast with family, at work with colleagues, or at coffee or drinks with friends.
What this means for you
All this data is great, but what do you do with it?
It’s really not all that complicated. While nothing can guarantee virality, you can take a few steps to improve the sharability of your content. Here are two places to start:
Focus. Broad content is bland and not very sharable. Narrow, niche content will get your audience interested because it fits.
Get emotional. Content that activates a strong emotion, whether it’s joy or anger or anxiety, will make people care enough to share.
Want to spread your ideas faster? Jonah is offering a free workbook to guide you through the steps to creating your own viral content. Get your copy here.
Let’s put this to the test
I love using this platform to help you, and I want to hear what you’ve got to share. Tell me (and the rest of the community here) about what you’ve created and which of Jonah’s principles you’ve applied. Be sure to include a link.
Let’s see what happens.
As for me, I’d love for this podcast to go viral (or at least reach a few more people than we did last week). If you’re enjoying it, please tweet about it or share it with your friends on Facebook. And I’d love for you to leave an honest review.
You can also copy and paste this URL into the podcast player of your choice: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePortfo...
Also, if you have any questions for future episodes, let me know (just shoot an email to jeff at goinswriter dot com).
What have you created to go viral? Tell us about it and share your link in the comments.
June 17, 2014
Why I Sometimes Hate the Internet
Of course, I don’t really hate it. I am actually quite fond of this network that connects us and makes communication super easy. In fact, I would dare say I love the Internet, a little too much.
Sometimes, though, I feel like breaking up with this mistress of mine.
Photo Credit: Skley via Compfight cc
My affair with the web
I spend most of my time online. I use the Internet for everything from paying bills to buying books to ordering a pizza. (Oh yeah, and I use it for work sometimes, too.)
The problem with our wired lifestyles is that we can be deceived into thinking this is real life. But it’s not. Maybe a projection of it, or an outlet, or even an expression of our lives, but this virtual world is not the real thing. And we need to remember that.
Yes, the irony of communicating this to you via the same technology I’m criticizing doesn’t escape me. But this is an important epiphany for me. As a writer, an artist, I’m coming to grips with the fact that if I’m not mindful of how I use these tools, they can end up using me.
Take writing, for example. Why do you write? Is it because you love it? Because you want to get paid? To publish a book?
Any reason will do, but you do need to have one. Otherwise, you may find yourself doing something and find out one day, you’re not even sure why. And that’s a big problem.
A terrible, no-good, awful day (from hell)
I had a bad day yesterday.
I lost an awesome blog post that I had to rewrite from scratch. I had server issues. I had a headache. My wife was out of town. I literally spent most of the day on the phone. It was frustrating.
In the midst of it, I kind of had a mini-breakdown. But I considered it a gift. For a moment, I wondered, “What if my blog disappeared? What if my computer blew up? What if all this technology went away?”
I would still write, anyway.
These are tools — a means to an end, not the end itself. They help us get where we want to go. And when they cease to do that, it’s time to start over.
That’s what art is all about. I love how Stephen King puts it in his memoir On Writing. Here’s my paraphrase:
Art is a support system for life, not the other way around.
Your work is not something you plan your life around — it’s something that makes living possible. And perhaps, meaningful.
What do you think of the Internet? Do you love or hate it? Share in the comments.
June 14, 2014
What Really Holds You Back from Winning
Information is like tap water now. You can find it easily and it’s free. Hop online and in less time than it takes to get hot water to your shower you can find the answer to just about any question.
Photo Credit: AshtonPal via Compfight cc
However, it can be paralyzing to want a little more information before taking action toward a goal. There’s always one more book, blog post, podcast, magazine article, conference, or course to absorb. We think, “This will be the tipping point.”
The problem
We think there’s a formula.
If we follow this plan, sign up for this seminar, or read this book we’ll find the answer that will unleash our success.
Under the guise of research we get more information. Yet we know in our heart it’s something else — something deeper. When we pull back the curtain, the truth is much simpler. We’re afraid.
We fear putting our best out to the world and being rejected, or worse, getting no response at all.
How this happens
Somewhere along the way, we let ourselves down. Our confidence took a hit and the aftershocks continue to rob us of the self-trust we once enjoyed.
These memories haunt us and we talk ourselves out of taking action before we even begin. So we think and ponder and worry if we have it just right. We might have missed something and if we launch now we’re certain it won’t be good enough.
Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. But one thing is for sure: We’re not in the game. Not being in the game is worse than not being good enough. When we’re in the game we can make adjustments and improve.
We never get that opportunity when our art stays held captive to rejection. So how do we deal with this?
Overcoming our fear
The solution to fear always involves increasing our courage. Fortunately, having courage doesn’t require removing fear, but it does require a commitment.
A commitment to value our art more than our emotional safety.
A commitment to serve others through our creativity.
Ultimately, a commitment to increase our courage despite our fear.
How to become more courageous
Filter your information. Choose only a handful of people (online or off) to consistently follow and absorb. These are your trusted advisors and your information filters. Don’t get stuck in the research trap. You don’t need more information, you need more action.
Find a supportive community. There’s something about knowing there’s a community of people encouraging you and keeping you accountable to provide the strength to release your art. Get encouragement and feedback from others and don’t do this alone.
Focus on your previous success. You’ve had some wins so think about what you did in those situations. Confidence is built through competence. So recall what you’ve done well when you begin to doubt yourself.
Set a public deadline. You’ve heard this before but a deadline will get you moving. Even if it’s self-imposed, it helps to know when you’re going to release your hard work into the world. A deadline you’ve shared with others forces you to jump off the cliff when you’re scared to death.
Commit to action. Just take one baby step. You may not know steps eight or nine, but you know step one. Do something even if you’re not sure it’s the best thing to do. Change the focus from yourself to serving others with your art.
Formulas can be helpful and maybe sometimes we would even prefer a formula.
However, we must carve our own courageous path if we’re to impact the world with our art. Some paths will be well worn and others will be ruggedly wild.
Regardless, your path will be uniquely yours and you have to trust yourself to know the way.
Question: What else gives you courage? Share in the comments.
June 12, 2014
009: My Top Four Tips for Writing Awesome Articles (That You’re Probably Ignoring) [Podcast]
Sometimes while standing in line at the grocery store and pretending I’m not reading tabloid headlines, I daydream of seeing an article of mine in The New Yorker or another reputable magazine.
Photo credit: Tom Small via cc
Be honest. You dream of that, too. Don’t you? Or maybe it’s seeing your book on display in the front window of a Barnes & Noble? Or getting your short story published in an anthology or journal? Right?
We all dream of getting our words noticed by a larger audience. Those of us who feel like we have a message to share want to reach more people. The question is, how?
In this episode of the podcast, we tackle four burning questions about writing and selling articles submitted by a reader, Tina Green Drake, through my Facebook page. And while Tina’s questions were specific to articles, the answers apply to all types of content creation.
So listen up.
Click to listen
To listen to the show, click the player below (if viewing this in email click here).
You can also download it at iTunes or on Stitcher.
Cultivate great ideas
How do you find usable writing ideas? This is where we begin.
Ideas usually come to me at the most inconvenient times. I’m sure they do for you, too. They hit me when I’m walking the dog or changing my son’s diaper or mowing the yard. Because that’s when my mind is free to wander.
The first key to success is catching those ideas and keeping them. A good writer has to be a good curator. And to curate ideas well, you need three things:
A system, to capture ideas
Tools, to organize and store ideas
Feedback, to test which ideas work (and which don’t)
Find topics that sell
How do you know what you’re writing about is something that’s going to interest someone else? Good question.
Publishers want articles that move people and connect deeply to an emotion. And you won’t know what connects until you try. This is where blogging regularly, practicing in public, really pays off. You can iteratively put your work out there and see what connects.
When it’s done right, this becomes a beautiful dance between a writer and her audience, and all part of the creative process.
Learn to deliver consistently
How do you become a more disciplined and consistent writer, the kind that publishers can rely on?
The answer is simple but not easy: Commitment breeds consistency. Build a habit slowly, over time. [Tweet that]
Some days, it’s easy to write. Some days, it’s incredibly hard. The truth is, inspiration is merely a byproduct of your hard work. When you discipline yourself to do the work, when you show up consistently, day in and day out, you are there and ready on the day when something magical happens.
You can’t wait for inspiration. The Muse is really an out-of-work bum who won’t move until you do. Show her who’s boss and that you mean business.
Build confidence and fight fear
I wish I could say that courage comes easy to me, or that I don’t have to face fear every single day I put my fingers to the keys. But that’s just not true.
I’ll be honest; this is still hard for me. It’s kind of weird, though. I’ve learned that you can feel courageous in the midst of fear. They’re not opposite. Confidence comes as you act…the feeling follows the action. So sometimes I have to fake it. I have to act the way I want to feel, until I learn to trust the feelings will come.
(Be sure to listen to the podcast to hear about how this helped me face down a drunken bully who spilled beer on my wife’s coat. Really.)
Are you struggling, too?
Tina’s questions simmer in the minds of writers everywhere. They reveal the deep fears we all have: of not being good enough, running out of ideas, or falling short.
I seriously wish I could say these fears fall away with time, but they don’t. We just learn to work through them instead of against them. We step up to the bullies in our minds and face them down. When they come back, we’re still afraid, but we have that experience to lean on. We have the encouragement of other writer friends, the blog post that touched someone, or the accepted article.
For me, this podcast is still scary. It’s part of my dance with you, my listeners. I’d love to hear what you think in an honest review.
You can also copy and paste this URL into the podcast player of your choice: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePortfo...
And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please tweet about it or share it with your friends on Facebook.
Also, if you have any questions for future episodes like this one, let me know (just shoot an email to jeff at goinswriter dot com).
What scares you the most about writing? Share in the comments.
June 7, 2014
5 Lessons for Writers from The Fault in Our Stars
Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. –John Green
In case you haven’t heard, the biggest thing to hit the big screen this weekend is a film called The Fault in Our Stars. I’m taking my wife to it because we haven’t cried together in a while, and if the movie is anything like the book, it’ll live up to that expectation.
The Fault in Our Stars book
I stumbled upon this #1 New York Times bestseller earlier this year after getting tired of seeing it on the evergreen best sellers list. Listening to the audio version while driving home, I tried not to wake my sleeping son with my suppressed laughs.
I couldn’t put the book down.
After I finished reading it, I was fascinated with the author John Green and spent more than an adequate amount of time on his website, reading about what inspired such a story, how it clearly made an impact on people’s lives, and how his personal beliefs influence his writing.
I identified several lessons that any writer can learn from Mr. Green and apply to their own craft (I certainly plan on doing so, anyway). Here’s what I learned.
Write what you know
This was one of the secrets to Hemingway’s genius: he wrote nearly-biographical fiction which, he thought, was truer than reality. Green, who spent some time as a hospital chaplain before he became an author, did the same.
In fact, he admitted to basing part of The Fault in Our Stars on a teenage girl named Esther, who sadly passed away before the book she inspired was ever published.
Build a tribe
John and his brother Hank share a wildly popular YouTube channel called “vlogbrothers” where they talk about science, philosophy, politics, and anything else that tickles their fancy.
They’ve given a name to their community, Nerdfighters, a group that is dedicated to making the world a better place by fighting to “increase awesome and decrease suck.”
What Green has tapped into with his video channel, especially for a young adult audience, is something more authors could learn from: go where your audience is (and who isn’t on the Internet these days?), and meet them there.
He calls it “Nerdfighteria” — I call it your tribe. Whatever the name, go find the people you want to reach, and start serving them. Give people a place to gather, and you will have something more than just a good story. You will have a movement.
Tell a story about real life
Sure, there’s plenty of room in the market for the next paranormal YA romance novel; and if that’s your thing, go for it. But there’s also power in telling a simple story well. Reality is something we can all relate to.
Green does an excellent job of this in his novel about two teenage cancer patients who fall in love. The dialogue is funny and often sardonic, occasionally filled with believable profanity (how else would two kids dying of cancer talk?).
Because it feels real, you’re left with a sense at the end of the novel that there’s some lesson you just learned about your own life.
Make your audience cry
I once heard musician Damien Rice say he creates better art when he’s sad. I think we all do.
There’s a profound exchange that happens between artist and audience when we share our pain. At some level, every human being is acquainted with suffering, so when you tell a sad story, you are sharing something universal that we can all tap into.
Give hope
It’s not enough to just tell a sad story. You have to give people something to believe in. Yes, you must be real and authentic, but what makes The Fault in Our Stars, or any good story for that matter, powerful is that within this tale of inevitable tragedy, we find hope.
Reading the novel, you know that someone is going to die, but there is still a theme of redemption woven throughout the story. Yes, you know something bad is going to happen; but you believe something good is happening, too.
A good story captures our imagination and transports us somewhere else — but it also brings us back to our own realities, helping us understand ourselves and the universe a little better.
At least, that’s how I felt after finishing The Fault in Our Stars. We’ll see if the movie delivers the same.
(Addendum: I just got back from watching the film with my wife. It was good. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater, present company included.)
Note: My online writing course, Tribe Writers, closes next Wednesday. Find out more here.
Have you read a book that fits all the above lessons? Share in the comments.
7 Lessons for Writers from The Fault in Our Stars
In case you haven’t heard, the biggest thing to hit the big screen this weekend is a film called The Fault in Our Stars. I’m taking my wife to it because we haven’t cried together in a while, and if the movie is anything like the book, it’ll live up to that expectation.
The Fault in Our Stars book
I stumbled up on this #1 New York Times bestseller earlier this year after getting tired of seeing it on the evergreen best sellers list on Amazon. Listening to the audio version while driving home, I tried not to wake my sleeping son with my suppressed laughs. I couldn’t put the book down.
Afterwards, I was fascinated with the author, John Green, and spent more than an adequate amount of time on his website. What struck me was how he was inspired to write such a story, how it clearly has made an impact in the world, and how what he believes about the world influences his writing.
I identified several lessons that any writer can learn from Mr. Green and apply to their own craft (I certainly plan on doing so, anyway):
1. Write what you know
This was one of the secrets to Hemingway’s genius: he wrote nearly-biographical fiction which, he thought, was truer than reality. Green, who spent some time as a hospital chaplain before he became an author, did the same.
In fact, he admitted to basing part of The Fault in Our Stars on a teenage girl named Esther, who sadly passed away before the book she inspired was ever published.
2. Build a tribe
John and his brother Hank share a wildly popular YouTube channel called “vlogbrothers” where they talk about science, philosophy, politics, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They have given a name to their community — Nerdfighters — who “fight to increase awesome” and decrease suck.
What Green has tapped into with his video blogs, especially for his young adult audience, is something more authors could learn from: go where your audience is (and who isn’t on the Internet these days?), and meet them there.
He calls it “Nerdfighteria” — I call it your tribe. Whatever the name, go find the people you want to reach, and start serving them. Give people a place to gather, and you will have something more than just a good story. You will have a movement.
3. Tell a story about real life
Sure, there’s plenty of room in the market for the next paranormal YA romance novel; and if that’s your thing, go for it. But there’s also power in telling a simple, realistic story well.
Reality is something we can all relate to, and Green does an excellent job of this in his novel about two teenage cancer patients who fall in love. The dialogue is funny and often sardonic, occasionally filled with believable profanity (how else would two kids dying of cancer talk?).
Because it feels real, at the end of the novel, you’re left with a sense that there’s some lesson you just learned about your own life.
4. Make your audience cry
I once heard musician Damien Rice say that he creates better art when he’s sad. I think we all do.
There’s a profound exchange that happens between artist and audience when we share our pain. At some level, every human being is acquainted with suffering, so when you tell a sad story, you are sharing something universal that we can all tap into.
5. Give hope
It’s not enough to just tell a sad story. You have to give people something to believe in. Yes, you must be real and authentic, but what makes The Fault in Our Stars, or any good story, powerful is that within this tale of inevitable tragedy, there is hope.
Throughout the novel, you know that someone is going to die, but there still is a theme of redemption woven throughout every chapter. Yes, you know something bad is going to happen; but you also believe something good is happening, too.
A good story captures our imagination and transports us somewhere else — but it also brings us back to our own realities, helping us understand ourselves and the universe just a little bit better. At least, that’s how I felt when I finished reading The Fault in Our Stars. We’ll see if the movie delivers the same.
Note: My online writing course, Tribe Writers, closes next Wednesday. Find out more here.
Have you read a book that fits all the above lessons? Share in the comments.
