How to Tell a Great Story (The Robert Greene Blueprint)

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Robert Greene has developed a method for writing best-selling books like The 48 Laws of Power. This interview is a tell-all about his process. How does he write books? What makes for a great story? Some lessons: 1) The rewards of writing will come, but they're never immediate. 2) Don't talk down to your readers. 3) When you're writing about famous and powerful people, look for the things that make them human. The things that everybody can relate to, such as how they brushed their teeth or spoke to their mother. 4) Stories are the most elemental form of seduction. You can take the angriest child, tell them a story, and calm them down immediately. 5) When you're looking for stories to include in your book, look for stories that have drama to them. 6) Research, research, research. Robert basically has the entire book organized by the time he starts writing it. 7) Robert's been taking notes for so long that he now has thousands of notecards saved with information from all the books he's written. 8) Intensity of desire can take us to levels of performance we never thought possible. Get clear on what you intensely desire, and pursue it. 9) Robert spent years as a failed writer. He said: “I was a nobody, I had no money, I had no success, I was very frustrated, I was depressed, even bordering on suicidal.” 10) Don't try to change people's morals with a book. They have to come to the idea on their own. You can give them the information or lead them in a certain direction, but preaching to people doesn't change their thinking. 11) If you're consistently struggling with writer's block, you might be suppressing your anger. But anger is an intoxicating emotion. It manufactures words for you. Learn to listen to it. 12) The anger should be controlled, though. Robert says: "Controlled anger is ten times more powerful than just venting." 13) Writing prompt: What's something that's making you angry and pissed off? 14) Don't write about what you think you should write about. Write about what actually excites you because genuine excitement is the only fuel that can sustain you over multiple years while you're working on a book. 15) What's the mission of Robert's work? He says: "My secret ambition is to make things such as reading, studying the classics, and philosophy something hip, so that young people were inspired to step away from the TV and the Internet and challenge their minds."

[@RobertGreeneOfficial]

Thank you for having me on the show David.

[@Doddom]

My Father

[@danaandthewolf]

No way!!! Yesssssss watching now

[@scott-dnd]

I'm leaving this comment because it's an honor to leave a comment to Robert Greene's comment. Thank you.

[@issoof6322]

You are indeed the Machiavelli of our time. Love your works.

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Was fun to do this... thanks for coming on the show!

[@fireandseed]

HE AIN'T GATEKEEPING NOTHING. This is literally KEY information you'd learn from an entire lifetime of learning/writing career. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!

[@MetokurAssistant]

Robert Green is such an inspiration to me. I love watching all of his interviews.

[@godwardsounds]

"A story is a form of seduction." Amazing!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

My favorite one-liner from the episode

[@JosephKelly-uj1zo]

@@DavidPerellChannel So true. You take the reader out of the banal world and into your elevated story and then you are creating it together.

[@Doddom]

Can we take a moment to appreciate David and his efforts for us 🌹

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Thank you!!! Just setting started

[@fireandseed]

His intentions are so pure for us❤

[@ICONS-podcast]

It's rare that you get an interview with Robert Greene that's exclusively about his writing - insane. Absolutely love how conscious Greene is about the emotion he feels as he writes - ensuring that the reader has the most ALIVE read with his books.

[@aaronharris4628]

💯That's exactly why I clicked on this video.

[@okeziepax5715]

I’m so grateful Robert Greene is a writer in my generation. Watching his videos and reading his books are one of the best experiences I’m grateful for. Such an intelligent, introspective, eloquent, and thoughtful guy. Soo much love from Nigeria 🇳🇬 ❤️

[@tolibear]

Robert Greene is my favorite author of all time

[@traezaX1]

Robert Greene's books are very exquisite. Listening to him speak is very rewarding

[@marina.artoflife]

Robert Greene at David's place... oh boy, what a treat. Thank you both for this beautiful conversation. I feel blessed to be able watch and learn from those I admire. What a time to live! David, thank you for your amazing work.

[@thepartikelir]

Listening to Robert Greene's journey as a writer and concluding with Churchill's inspiring words, 'We shall never surrender,' has been both motivating and inspiring. Thank you, David.

[@GreatestAuthorinFlorida]

David… You are the new Michael Silverblatt, but interview in an even more vigorous and lively way. I love it, and you. Thank you for the abundance of value present in your work.

[@lolachikivchuk3355]

David, thank you SO much for such an incredible, alive, textured content! We need it... The world needs it❤

[@Justin_Cunningham]

This is one of my favorite writing platforms, thank you for all the great interviews

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Lots and lots and lots more coming

[@Howwomengainpower-vy2hq]

The interviewers questions were just fantastic. Thank you For the partnership. I love Robert and David

[@NaserSd19]

This is a decent podcast asking the right questions to one of my favourite authors.

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Thanks for watching

[@porushpuri]

This is the greatest podcast episode ever!!!!!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Hah! Thank you

[@iLoveWriting365]

Robert Greene is a superb guest! And incredible intro! Cheers David!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Enjoy it!

[@suzannestrutt7827]

I love Robert's own story too. Really inspiring

[@trycrone]

Two humble and formidable minds. It’s rare to see this much earnestness is one frame. Ryan is a third. Greene finds good people and David too.

[@Not_Salman]

Damnnnnnn bro. You should be in a million + subs already. Awsome work!! I cannot wait to Add this to my Notes.

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Someday, someday

[@kindedge]

Love Robert so much.

[@theuberman]

Thanks David (I've once Commented To bring Robert Greene to Your Podcast: The Best How To Write Podcast & Here He is 😍)

[@silentm999]

I ordered index cards to sort out the horizontal plot of a story Ive been working on for nearly 2 years. Thanks for confirming that move, Robert. Robert's amazing. So happy he did a show on the craft rather than the content of his writing.

[@owengreene382]

A supper interview with Robert. He's fantastically intelligent with vast exspearience of tumble of life.

[@AwakenedVibration]

Listening to Robert Greene’s interview was an anagnorisis for me as a writer, reaffirming that the journey to create something timeless and meaningful for humanity is both laborious and profoundly emotional. I now understand that staying true to my own path, rather than adhering to societal writing conventions, is paramount. I would rather craft a single book that deeply impacts many than produce ten merely to appease the ego.

[@friendlyone2706]

In the beginning Robert Greene tells of the places he has searched for authors who can convey facts with drama. He is looking in environments in which those who can best parrot the teacher have risen to the top, real world authenticity irrelevant. Like searching for a white buffalo in a sheep herd. Years ago I attended a class on how to increase your customer base. The instructor said testimonial letters were the most important -- but to never let the customer write the testimonial because that almost always resulted in boring & he wanted DRAMA. He said, to ask, "Ok if I write up how this solved your problem and you can sign it that my writeup's accurate?" He said people almost always say yes. Then you write it up, with the customer as a hero with a business-threatening problem. Life seemed doomed, but you came to the rescue. Done right, the story will even help your customer to remember/understand how to use your product correctly. That speaker, honest salesman extraordinaire, was right. If Robert wants people who can write nonfiction with drama, that's where he can look. Not academia. I've lived in both worlds.

[@jaysonbrady6831]

I have been waiting for this for SO LONG

[@DavidPerellChannel]

The day has arrived... enjoy it!

[@osakpolorbobby9883]

Always feels good listening to your talk ❤

[@rafograph]

Great show. Great talk

[@SmartDegen]

@DavidPerrellChannel How on earth is your audio so darn good with no huge mics in front of you guys?

[@Dino_Medici]

YESSSSSSS PUMPED FOR THIS!!! Hope he talks his new book on the sublime it’s one of my fav subjects! Long live Longinus haha

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Yep... he spends a decent amount of time talking about it

[@thorben4830]

Love it!

[@MsGloomyOwl]

This interview is so good. Love it 💖

[@youuse234]

Just crossed the channel and love the content! Please keep it up David :D

[@SuneelShah-rw2nd]

4:25 ...When you understand the concept of death you tend to find what does not follow the same cycle and when you are headed in that direction it might take a little longer but you will surely end up something that lasts forever 🎉

[@tysonbala]

Listening to him is dope 😱

[@nahid1019]

What a beautiful background

[@prsingh2]

Hey @david Perell, where is that microphone , your audio quality is so good, and I can't see the microphone anywhere on the body or the screen.. please help.

[@jspohl]

Lovely painting!

[@mazharhusnainofficial7245]

My fav writer ❤

[@bruceryba5740]

So good!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Thanks!

[@javierreyes8685]

Amazing guy❤

[@diegoangulo370]

Something I’ve noticed about writers is they have such a way with their words😂😮 I’ve noticed that in me too

[@webspecific]

This talk I loved. The 48 Laws, ohhhh, noooo. Might be the mentality of what got us into this fix politically.

[@dasgute1439]

Damn what a hook to a video

[@Papa_Arkoh]

Proud to be first 😎

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Niceeeee lol

[@johnedelmann6711]

You should get James Patterson on here!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Added to the list of potential guests

[@TheMaverick_SR]

Oh my oh my oh my....

[@anmol.snehii]

Bohot bohot shukriya khuda and You

[@AliveInYah]

6:32 the library is not dated. I go every week with my middle school daughters 😂

[@sethrakes1991]

Please get Robert McKee on for an episode 📘

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Good idea... I'll reach out

[@TheSerialNotetaker]

1:55 how importance is timelessness to you?

[@Dino_Medici]

Algorithm tickle ⚡️

[@jianafuragganan]

Yes!!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Enjoy!!

[@jianafuragganan]

@@DavidPerellChannel I love that you keep the conversation on the guests to really get into their minds instead of agreeing and sharing your own stories. Good luck on your last cohort! I attended some of your workshops!

[@FlorentBonlong]

Crafting an ENGAGING narrative requires SKILL and PRACTICE. It's about CONNECTING with your audience on a deeper level and MAKING your message RESONATE. Keep refining your approach, and you'll see the IMPACT of your storytelling soar. ✨

[@pradeeppandey7228]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@finlay1702]

1:19:17 font name?

[@AtzraelTony]

i would have given it all a thumbs up, if not for your own part and churchils speech. the 4 places signify the worry of the time of loosing against a german invasion, every example is one loss: the landing at the beach the advance through the fields the push into the cities the fight as partisans We shall never surrender, even if all goes wrong, as for now we can't be sure, as the fall of france and us alone against the germans was nothing we ever prepared our porulation for. but i enyoed the interview, have a good day

[@christianburgos2736]

A1+

[@chefbrian26]

Wait!?!? Why is Churchill now considered a controversial figure?

[@friendlyone2706]

Because he was child of the era in which he grew up --- with its prejudices and foibles. If you demand your heroes be inhumanely perfect by the standards in which you live, and demand they be born with ideals not develop them over a lifetime -- Churchill is indeed deeply flawed. If you say a checkered background gives a depth of vision not available to those living more proper & safer lives coupled with a deliberately developed set of values plus courage to articulate those values and inspire others to a greatness they would never otherwise achieve -- makes a man great, then Churchill is not controversial.

[@user-ho2zh5hn2y]

What an oasis of good taste and aesthetics in the video, in the ocean of bad taste and hype on KZbin!

[@Atjayvang21]

Everything I wrote has been input into chatgbt what ever you call it. The one that counts goes to my daughter. The day i die

[@ninovizi]

Man, i'd do anything to work with david.

[@ammarsawi]

Greene

[@kwamefrimpong2510]

Robert you look good

[@MuneerAlrabadi-lq5oq]

Some one no mor than the other

[@Doddom]

Robert Greene is super tall 😮

[@CoreyChambersLA]

It's not possible to have writers block when you have ChatGPT

[@simbu69]

hawhaw

[@vergilito1]

This guy is making excuses

[@sudididnotdache]

Why is the host asking so aggressively…

[@statis_greek]

wdym

[@clerou8781]

I read 3 pages of the 48 law and is the perfect recipe to create a narcissist 😢