How to write a great story | Neal Stephenson and Lex Fridman

Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: • Neal Stephenson: Sci-F...
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- Mizzen+Main: mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off
- InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off
- Athletic Greens: athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
- Grammarly: grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium
- ExpressVPN: expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free
GUEST BIO:
Neal Stephenson is a sci-fi writer (Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, and new book Termination Shock), former Chief Futurist at Magic Leap and first employee of Blue Origin.
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast
Clips playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast Clips
SOCIAL:
- Twitter: / lexfridman
- LinkedIn: / lexfridman
- Facebook: / lexfridman
- Instagram: / lexfridman
- Medium: / lexfridman
- Reddit: / lexfridman
- Support on Patreon: / lexfridman

[@onlyrick]

As a long-time science fiction reader I would say getting the details right is much more important than in some other genres. For instance, in a romance on the high seas the reader won't be at all concerned if you get some of the details of the rigging wrong. Thanks again, Lex.

[@theloveofreading3563]

Lex , what is your favorite novel ?

[@dosgos]

In Japan, dedicated LCD keyboard gizmos are popular for writers. Maybe not as organic as a pen or pencil, but they do avoid distraction so maybe a better option than a laptop. . .

[@dosgos]

Schools combine the creating and editing processes together; separate them. This can improve storytelling, boost natural voice, increase productivity, and make it easier to sit down and start writing. First draft - free form writing (sometimes an outline or skeleton will be helpful, sometimes not). Second draft - edit for content, word choice, spelling, grammar, etc.

[@MontyQueues]

schools hinder creativity

[@brianfeldz1797]

Television and film are the worst perpetrators of destroying their own constructed rules or destroying established narratives with an unnecessary plot device.

[@planetdisco4821]

The Baroque Trilogy and Cryptonomicon by NS are absolute masterpieces. So is Anathem. But I'd love to see the Baroque Trilogy adapted as a big budget GOT type series. It would be utterly amazing...

[@wking8]

I'm rereading the cycle now and thought the exact same thing but also kept thinking, this couldn't ever happen because I wouldn't want a single conversation cut for the screen.

[@planetdisco4821]

@@wking8 it’s the musical chapter for me, where Half-Cocked Jack (slowly going mad from the pox) rides into Paris with an entire chorus line of plague zombies etc dancing behind him. My god, in my mind that scene alone would be glorious. Btw: am I the only one who thinks that Captain Jack Sparrow might have been ripped off from these novels?

[@patcrane7262]

I've thought for a long time that the more detail you put into a story, and the amount of logic that connects them, is vital for a good story because it helps mirror the real world, which operates entirely under logical cause-and-effect, even if we don't know or can't understand the logic. As such, when stories blatantly break real-world logic, and often, their own made-up logic, viewers/readers take issue with that, because it creates a disconnect.

[@MarkWalmsley]

Although I like Lex there is a problem with being so intelligent and I think it is you take for granted understandings which others wouldn't so he doesn't question them so the listener can have a better understanding. I constantly get people to expand on things I am even slightly confused about but Lex doesn't do this because he knows and likely thinks everyone else should know too. I think this podcast is brilliant but it shuts the door to understanding concepts or conversations to many. What a lot of interviewers do is say something like "can you explain that at bit more, obviously I already know this but can you explain this for the people that dont". A good interviewer is always thinking about how the average listener is taking the conversation in which I think is important. It's especially important for a podcast like this one.

[@alyssacrypto]

Lex says "can we stop for a minute on that i want to go deeper into X" which is his version of that. If the interviewee is not explaining things for the layman knowing its going out to the average person listening, thats on them, not Lex lol BTW I have no idea what you mean this interview fleshes out so much of this guys mind and the concepts are clear

[@MontyQueues]

it's like tripping over yourself

[@DaveGreen-lj4rv]

Exactly. But with a pen instead of with you penis

[@adelinaquijano1083]

I watch before.that vedio

[@gh0s7sama]

It’s sad to see you use GRR Martin bc he is a plagiarist and stole the work of Tad Williams.