Andrew Klavan on How to Start a Writing Career

[@rancelmachin3031]

The Daily Wired should enter the publishing industry. First print the book and then make the movie. Is not a bad idea 💡.

[@douglasmacneil4474]

Already do

[@jeffzekas]

The first book, and the first movie, should be about Kyle Rittenhouse

[@ConnorBrintonDavid]

They are in the publishing industry! Two books where announced this week for pre-order

[@Eduardo_C]

@@ConnorBrintonDavid what are the books?

[@GarikaiGumbo]

@@Eduardo_C I believe one of them is Julio Rosas' on last year's summer riots

[@thewriterslens5689]

This is the first time I've heard someone say "don't do it unless you have to." Nearly every other writing coach / mentor / existing writer that I've heard will often give tips (me included, ha!) when someone solicits them on how to start a career as a scribe-for-hire. So I must say that this was refreshing to hear. The sheer statistics on those who "make it" as a writer and the type of life you lead as a writer is a necessary truth for someone who wants to be one too. Appreciate the honest approach and insight, Mr. Klavan.

[@thomasdonlin5456]

For some reason I’m thinking of Snoopy on his dog house typing. “It was a dark and stormy night” 😬

[@howardjohnson6189]

Definitely captures the current sentiment of all the watchmen as they stand guard over their towns and villages watching and waiting for the….!!

[@D4n1t0o]

Oh papi, this gon' be good. More like this please.

[@paak2010]

As an electrician, I do much of my work in clients' homes. I met a man this week who said he knew Klavan. As the fear crept up my spine, realizing that I may never leave his home, I asked if he knew how to spell Klavan. Fortunately for me, he did not, and he admitted that he had only seen a clip or two. I knew I was safe :)

[@whutzat]

Daily Wire totally NEEDS to start publishing!!!

[@ParkDari]

I highly recommend the book when Christmas comes it is now become one of my all-time favorite Christmas novels . I never thought I would like the genre of crime fiction so it was a huge revelation.

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

Andrew's last point is VITAL. It reminds me of David Morrell's first chapter in his book Lessons From A Lifetime Of Writing. The question is "Why do you want to be a writer?" He noted that you can't say "money" or whatever--the answer HAS to be nothing short of "Because I HAVE to be."

[@jayferguson9968]

Sort of reminiscent of that line from '300', where Leonidas asks the auxiliary what they do. :)

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

I thought I was reading "...a whining career..." 🤣

[@thegodofalldragons]

Nope, but he's probably observed enough career whiners that he could give tips on that, too.

[@jesslind]

This is the advice I’ve been given over my years of writing and it has never strayed me wrong. I wrote a Victorian mystery and queried it for a year and half with decent amount of interest and agent feedback which was so appreciated and needed at the time. I’m going to get back into querying in a few months when I complete my edits which this time I’m really excited about! It is a hard road, but like Mr. Klavan, I have wanted to write stories for so long and I would write them regardless. Thank you for this fantastic advice!!

[@yumaborderreport8657]

"A Writer writes."-- Earnest Hemingway

[@timothyunderwood7880]

Everybody writes, though.

[@MillaySays]

The most discouraging writer advice ever received. His honest point of view and advice is appreciated.

[@autistic-lutheran-carnivore]

I have dabbled in fan fiction of DailyWire hosts one time when Andrew Klavan's Facebook account posted "That is garbage" without any explanation. I wrote something like "said Andrew Klavan pointing to some crumpled up sheets of paper in the waste basket. Ben Shapiro was in the recliner in the corner reading while Michael Knowles was at the bookshelves considering what to read. Suddenly Steven Crowder stormed into the room with his mugclub mug in hand. He shouted 'I drink leftists tears in my mug!' As fast as he came in, Steven Crowder vanished from the room. Ben Shapiro looking up from his book asked 'What just happened?' as he chuckled a little."

[@fencserx9423]

I have been waiting for this question to be answered for years

[@mandalorethemighty]

Great advice. Have you ever thought of self publication? You are a well known author and could start your own buisness helping publish up and comers that would normally get passed over because of the content for which they write isn't what typical publishers are looking?

[@jessicakopecky7230]

Yes, well put!! I want to know, too. I self published my own entertainment (kids chapter book) and I’d just settle for a seal showing it’s kid/family friendly content 🤩

[@williamkeepers1935]

Thank you for this. I write because I have to tell stories, I totally get what you mean when you say "don't write unless you have to". Of course, I pay the bills with other work, and write in my spare time, and certainly don't get paid for it, but I love to express thoughts on paper, and do so often.

[@peskylisa]

Thank you for this. I've written stories, myself and any good advice can come in handy.

[@sethermoon6627]

This guy is my favorite Daily Wire member. Highly respect him and thank the Lord for him.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

I think you have to figure out your motivation, why you want to write. The first story I wrote was more of an exercise to see if I could actually do it and if I enjoyed it. I found out I could and I enjoyed it immensely. I got serious with my next book and wrote a wonderful story I'm proud of. But I'm discovering that may be the waters edge for this one. I worked with an editor and after numerous revisions I passed it around a bit. A few people liked it, a few people didn't, and a few just ignored it. I queried a few literary agents and got several rejection letters. But you know what, I'm okay with it because I found out I'm not a writer, I'm just someone who likes to write. Maybe one will catch on but I've discovered if you are going to go the traditional route you better have a thick skin and you can't let rejection get to you. Here is something else I've learned, your characters will never hate you. If I've done nothing else, I've given them a voice and a chance to tell their story. Sound strange? Trust me, once you get into it you'll find the character's write themselves. That's the fun part, discovering who they are because at the end of the day, they are you. How's that for good grammar. 😎 Keep writing and don't take it or yourself too serious.

[@charleyromaigne7385]

I couldnt of said it any better myself

[@yettiluch1]

Thank you for those wise words sir. Hopefully, your next story will be the one.

[@Deep-Sarcasm]

Not sure if most conservatives tend to have bad grammar and not read much. Or if people who read and have good grammar just tend not to be conservative. Interesting correlation and causation there.

[@jeffzekas]

It’s amazing how many writers get published, who have poor grammar, poor syntax, and just plain lazy ideas.

[@bighands69]

Because they are not writers. They are storytellers and somebody else does the writing for them. It is why we live in era of sterile writing with no style or no substance that is obsessed with simple stories. The problem with that approach is that it is resource intensive and that costs money and the industry is right now on its knees so what you get is a very poor standard. Genre books like fantasy is full of storytellers that obsess with world building but could not write to save their life. And sad part is many of them are poor storytellers.

[@jmthewild1]

Please continue doing a writer’s workshop!! Make this official. That is all. Thank you!

[@causticsneeze3425]

Thank you Klavan!

[@SpiritProductions99]

As a writer I never really thought of writing a book as a “Career” its just a thing I love doing because it is my own work. I mean heck I have a 14+ year project that ive been working on that I hope to release when I finally finish everything that I need to fix and such

[@MicahRachelle]

This video was really informative!👌 Thanks for giving your advice!😊

[@ryant1506]

Writing has completely changed as has any type of creativity "business" music, videos, art....etc .... Ive built my own fan base and dont rely on my writing for income....therefore i write for fun and to inspire others, no other reason

[@Aircalibur]

Good advice. I love your noir stuff. I'd also add that an aspiring writer might not be a novel person to begin with, but a short story person. I seem to think more naturally in short stories, though I still want to publish a novel (I don't care how well it'll do). I actually got a sci-fi short story published in English despite English not being my first language, but that hinderance may actually be a boon since I like to write about weird people in unfamiliar settings and my unconventional sentence structures and language may actually serve my stories. I do have to edit like hell, though.

[@tticusFinch]

Also, just fyi, he's talking about traditional publishing, which is, as he said, notoriously hard to get into. Don't disregard self-publishing. No agent necessary, and you receive 100% of the revenue, unlike traditional publishing where you receive a small percent of royalties.

[@jasongarrett5437]

I was just thinking about writing a book. I have been trying to get back into the job market, but I am finding it difficult to get hired doing the exact same work I was doing-a high demand profession in which employers use to seek me out just a few years ago. Maybe it is because of the recent upset in our economy or maybe it is something else. In any event, I didn’t want to sit around being useless, so the thought occurred to me, maybe I should right a book. I then wonder what I would write about. After several minutes of pondering, I began to realize I was reading the book I was going to write in my head. I read a whole page before I realized this book sounded compelling, so I, in my head, read the back cover. It seemed to be a fascinating story, so I skimmed a few chapters and was hooked. I’m not sure this is how books are traditionally written, but I have never written a book before-I’m not a precessional. Now that I see this video, inexplicably here right after I start thinking about writing, I think maybe the universe is trying to tell me something: stop being useless, write a book, maybe you won’t publish it, or maybe you will, and maybe you won’t make any money if you do publish your work, but if you write the book, you will have a compelling story to read instead of being useless.

[@bartarkis]

Well, write the book. You're either good, or crazy. Possibly both. If it's coming that easily get it knocked out. You'll know soon enough. Good luck

[@bighands69]

@Jason Garrett You do not mind me asking what field you were employed within? I would add just take care that you do not go down the creative rabbit hole and sacrifice your ability to be productive and grow wealth. There is no point you focusing on writing if you are no good at it at the expensive of a career. I would suggest that you still focus on a career and let writing become your creative spark. If you are good enough to write a successful book then you will do it anyway no matter what you work at.

[@wrlord]

Such great advice.

[@VivaSaludableconMarla]

I love it!

[@houstonbradford9350]

Where can I find the outro song? Is that just some stock music off some site?

[@bighead4409]

I know how to start: hide in an attic and go bald and get kicked outta Hollywood and then be a stud.

[@VivaSaludableconMarla]

I like history and law.

[@tunkyslug]

Honest question, did your Dad being a well known radio star in NY open any doors for you? Seems like a lot of people have connections when you scratch the surface. Not that you’re not incredible talented too. 😃👍🏻

[@timothyunderwood7880]

If I could only finish my damn novel. . .

[@abad-enoughdude._.3919]

I want to write a book about something of which I'm an expert, but I don't have to. So I guess I won't.

[@robertsebacher44]

Klavan if you read this and don’t laugh I will be disappointed. I am a mostly conservative poet and other writers sometimes ask me how to get published.

[@viletmckinstry7935]

WOOHOO

[@yettiluch1]

I believe i have to do it

[@autistic-lutheran-carnivore]

In my case, I don't want to be a writer, though I do have some story ideas which are in a few different genres that I want to write. Because I am also someone with autism spectrum disorder, my goal is for these stories to be on the big screen because I am a very visual person. Unfortunately, I don't think I can develop characters and write convincing dialog for them to say.

[@bighands69]

The key to understanding where you sit in terms of are a writer or if you are a storyteller. The modern industry is obsessed with storytelling rather than writers. You could be a script writer but actually be a terrible writer and still create a very good film script. What you really want to do is if you realize you do not have the flare of writing is to focus on storytelling and maybe find somebody you can partner with who can actually take your story's and make something of it. The short story form is something that many writers neglect in the modern world so it could be somewhere for you start your craft.

[@Cato229]

My grammar well. I write in seventh languages. English da besht.

[@SarahG266]

Unless you have to… I get that

[@The_Novu]

New writers need to worry about finishing novels first before worrying about this. Million other reasons why you'll get rejected before they even get to the point where your politics factor into anything. They want to sell books first and foremost. If your work isn't up to snuff it doesn't matter what political alignment you are. You could be poster leftist trans bi-poc gay whatever or right wing conservative Christian. Doesn't matter. Is your manuscript good enough to sell? Did you get an agent? Did you submit to guidelines? Is your book up to par with comp titles? They are looking for any reason to reject you because they go through hundreds of manuscripts every day, and they can't dilly dally on everyone. You gotta give them a reason to keep reading.

[@matweb8195]

Send all your questions to Michael Knowles, I hear he enjoys personally replying to each and every one of them.

[@TP-om8of]

I don’t read at all and I think grammer is for losers but I just wrote a book and it’s great. It’s about 900,000 words long and my friend has drawn some pictures for it only one of which is dirty. How do I get it published? Also I want a big advance, like 500K.

[@bobisconsumed520]

Best way to break into writing industry is to copy and paste Biden admin for novel's main antagonist.

[@seanmalczewski1998]

There is no hope for conservative playwrights, if you're not David Mamet

[@VivaSaludableconMarla]

Get a copy editor

[@viletmckinstry7935]

First

[@vanidaknutson4616]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm no longer interested in writing. 😕

[@princepeachfuzz]

aw hell no i got into the bigot part of the internet