How To Write Your Novel In Under 20 minutes: Simon Van Booy at TEDxBrooklyn

Simon is the author of The Secret Lives of People in Love, Love Begins in Winter, Everything Beautiful Began After, and The Illusion of Separateness. He teaches part-time at SVA in Manhattan, and is involved in the Rutgers Early College Humanities Program for young adults living in under-served communities. In 2013, he founded Writers for Children, an organization which helps young people build confidence in their talent. He was a finalist for the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise and his work has been translated into more than fifteen languages. Simon lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@ArekuzuTheDreamEater]

It's not the novel you write in under 20 mins, it's the talk that's under 20 mins. I fell for it. You got me, TED, you got me

[@FeliciaFollum]

join NaNoWriMo and you can write it in 30 days....I'm going for it this year and documenting my progress...will see haha

[@BeyondSideshow]

+A-Yourney Thanks for the heads up.

[@shitmandood]

+Felicia Follum I'll help you! I'm going to write a book: How to write a novel in 30 days! You can buy that for help.

[@FeliciaFollum]

shitmandood wow, sounds great...but no thanks. I appreciate you offering to let me buy a book from you though

[@MrJohnnyASee]

+A-Yourney ALL OF THEIR SHIT IS LIKE THIS! GETS ME EVERY FUCKING TIME!

[@markisreal7074]

You don't have to be a professional comedian to be 'funny'. What was charming about him was that he didn't take himself too seriously, he was just being his quirky self. He didn't care if the audience was laughing or not, he was just up there having a good time it seemed to me. Excellent talk.

[@lauramcaz]

agree.

[@LindaGayton]

+successMANship Yes they were.

[@1merkur]

I like his Clark Kent vibe

[@niihjulienne6353]

"Writing frees you from fear because it brings wisdom and with wisdom comes autonomy." Simon Van Booy

[@coleenkang8013]

I HIGHLY AGREED

[@karenjwaters]

He was funnier than the audience gave him credit. Very good points.

[@brandonwaters642]

The producers of the video made the audience sound quieter so people on KZbin could listen to him better.

[@LukeDeVari]

"Don't read books you think you should love or think you should read. Read books you genuinely love." Good advice. It's a damn shame depression takes that aspect of "genuine love" out of life

[@kitclark4089]

My grandma always says "I don't live long enough to read junky books" and boy is she right. Lame books are a waste of time

[@lampyrisnoctiluca9904]

It seems that we have to find it ourselves. Depression has taught me to appreciate the good things in life. It made me a better person. There are a lot of good things that you can only find in the darkest places. I hope you got well since you wrote this comment. It's been a long time.

[@CC-mr5xq]

I'd love to be friends with this guy. The conversations would never be boring.

[@ChrisDodges123]

He had some good little jokes in there...crowd wasn't having any of that though. Lmao

[@najtrows]

could be that the mics did not pick up the laughs either :)

[@HelloJosieLiz]

Chris Dodges I know, right? He was funny. But that crowd is a dry, parched desert.

[@clairerobby1]

Chris Dodges Just what I was thinking

[@mulasahukay853]

Chris Dodges the drugs joke hahahaha

[@FeliciaFollum]

I know I thought he was quite hilarious

[@Dangus35]

he was funny. the crowd not laughing was what made it weird.

[@codyw1766]

I completely agree. His jokes were actually really good. Those audience members were a little too uptight.

[@codyw1766]

Mostly not.

[@evanpilot]

Maybe we as a computer audience can only listen to what the microphone on his face recorded and the ambiance sound is to weak to be recorded and they are laughing.

[@Mortum_Rex]

evanpilot You can hear the applause at the end. They were probably just a bunch of pricks.

[@trans-a.m.]

He reminds me of Johnny Depp/ "Edward Scissors Hands" awkward!

[@Metatron141]

if you're not writing then you're just typing. start with a dairy for a year every day and see where your focus is, you'll begin to see patterns in your perception and themes that emerge and submerge in your life. start from there and weave a part of your heart into the protagonist's journey. there are many plot's in a persons life due to our many choices. this may not work for everyone but this is where i started as a writer.

[@Greatboldness]

This is great advice.

[@pralad1]

Great advice!!👍👍

[@1merkur]

When I start with dairy I focus on cheese :-) ... but, good advice, thanks!

[@Haivuoto]

I disagree with most of the people here: I found this rather inspiring and helpful.

[@SaavsKitchen]

Me too. So helpful. I wish people spoke like this about writing when I was young. Ive always had the skills to write since elementary school. :)

[@behealthy9398]

Yes!

[@AR-vu4hr]

I agree. I think the slightly click-bait title (probably intended for humour) attracted the wrong audience.

[@charlesmills9454]

Not enough people laughed at his jokes!

[@elliria_home]

I really loved the part (at about 6:50 in the video) where he goes into a description of the thing that keeps us up at night being our story. Well done!

[@arlinegeorge6967]

You can teach people to tell their stories. Loved it. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true .

[@regandevereaux5079]

What a lovely, creative and extraordinarily British man. I bet most Americans have no idea how to take him! Bless him. Peace,Regan 🌈

[@jansonovia]

Watch 'til the end. It's worth it.

[@jaymarco4937]

Tough crowd

[@aarontkachuk]

Jay Marco hahaha for real!

[@kamuelalee]

Pulls at collar, sweats!

[@stuartgreig7111]

this is brilliant-it is one gem of useful and real advice after another. The first time I only watched the first half but then returned, his advice and thinking resounding through my day. Thank you.

[@itsmarialifestyle4355]

He is so right. Writing is integrating your life and your emotional experiences with what's happening in the world. I resonate with almost everything that he said. Well done him!

[@jm3356]

Exactly the guidance I was seeking. Intuitive and brilliant advice. Thank you Simon, Bravo :)

[@chrisw-j9249]

I have to thank this man and this talk for my own enthusiasm and direction in my writing. I love his enthusiasm, his energy and his honesty. Minds, such as his, recharge my levels of inspiration. There are no short cuts - but why should there be. The writing journey is part of the beauty of life's journey if written for the reasons given in this talk. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you Simon.

[@LazWins]

This is fantastic. I think he is a wonderful speaker, and I thoroughly enjoyed his speech.

[@Lala0RK]

OMG I LOVE this talk so much!!!! I love how encouraging and generous he is with inspiring people to write! Thank you for this amazing inspirational talk and for the great advice. I want to write my novel now, just for myself. I've already watched this video several times. Love this guy!!!

[@75qu0]

+Lala Khalique I agree completely!

[@CoraZane]

+Lala Khalique I agree! What a great talk! Very inspiring.

[@SergeyMoskalev]

Thank you Simon! So many precious advises. Very helpful - this is the essence of the writing process!

[@Petru806]

I like the idea of your workplace being an altar. You actually create wonderful characters there and you throw them in some life-changing, horrible or great experiences, that make them change and adapt, change their view and make them see the world from a whole new perspective. And then you kill some of the characters to magnify the emotions of the main character and make him a lot different than he was in the beginning. Your workplace is truly an altar!

[@englishwithadil9329]

I don't know why people are complaining. This is a wonderful demonstration of the writing process. You may like theories, and this man has told the truth.😊

[@shashankkaveti3404]

He's got that crazy in his voice, I love it! Looks like Nite Owl from the Watchmen! His speech made me think of Lex Luthor in BvS, remember when Lex talks to his guests? This guy is just that awkward, yet weirdly charming. Great talk!

[@wenckebaismerjenberg838]

It's called 'British'?

[@nikhilsukumar23]

Well well, but actually he wanted you to write your book not like anyone.

[@ghostraven339]

I like his talk. and even if it takes more than 20 min to write. I feel his ideas are sound. I like the quiet tone of his voice, and his delivery is good, the quiet humor is refreshing. When you listen to many talks they are loud, fast paced, and you seem to miss important information. When Simon speaks he does so in a way that makes the time seem longer than it took, and you feel like you didn't miss anything because he never appeared like he was rushed. I liked it and he gave allot of good information.

[@nikhilsukumar23]

Exactly, you understood the person. Hope someone could flesh out a book out of this tip.

[@ghostraven339]

Nikhil Sukumar I understand the concept he was trying to get across. The idea also is to write every day. For me that is late at night when the house is quiet. Or by water. Staying focused on task is the problem sometimes.

[@nikhilsukumar23]

Ghost Raven that's nice to hear, water is a mind cleansing place, and night time is long hailed as the elixir of divine words and writing. I must try night writing. It sounds more adventurous when we are close to dreams. Somehow I wished someone made a simple movie about a writer, writing at nights or peaceful places and he sees new things and visions. I too liked the ideas he said like the neatness of the table to allow fertile imaginations.

[@dem0aikido]

Awesome speech and really helpful. That guy knows what he's doing.

[@AdventureDeficit]

Why is Johnny depp in disguise doing a tedtalk about writing. I'm not mad just slightly confused.

[@rshivaraman]

Loved this TEDx. Great talk.

[@tannerlee5762]

Great talk. I love his enthusiasm for the subject. By the end he proves that you can, in fact, teach the writing process.

[@azharexodus6336]

Am I the only one who is really think that this man gave us a good advice?

[@nailaahmadova4053]

Perfect explaination, thank you so much!

[@medioguiri]

made me sit immediately to write -excuse the adverb - for me he explained exactly what writing is or should be and how to get to the magic land of words. Thank you for that!

[@Astrolopher]

This Guy is amazing, He really expanded my horizon on writing a novel, especially towards the end of the video. Thank you!

[@elisenispee7450]

Thanks, lots of gems in this talk

[@HeadshotProductio100]

how 2 draw 1. Draw a stick figure 2. Expand 3. Fill in the Lines 4. Profit

[@sverrearnes7769]

well, simplified. You forgotten 50 years of experience, hard work & failures.

[@AnonymooseWasMyName]

Sverre Årnes 50?! Do you draw only once a month?

[@AnonymooseWasMyName]

Jason Fenton Lol, no. More like: 1. Draw (anything) at least 600 times a year. 3. Stare at everything until people around you become uncomfortable (or use google images) 4. Repeat. 5. Network like a youtuber. 6. Profit... enough to not work two jobs even though you never went to college (Art school is 50% useless, don't go unless you're rich. I repeat: Do NOT go into debt for art school. Go to real college if you really want crippling debt.) (Alternate: 5. Get work with an animation/game/advertising/book/graphics/etc company. 6. Profit)

[@valentinebonnaire9877]

It was great to listen, again. First heard you at the SB Writer's Conference. Thank you.

[@arlettasloan2473]

Inspirational. Thank you.

[@ThinkingMoneyFreeThinking]

Great content. Witty and strong composure, audiences can be oddly unresponsive sometimes!

[@BrantK147]

I absolutely loved this guy's ideas. Brilliant! I'm a fan.

[@simarjitkaur3411]

Lovely elegant talk...thanks so much Simon

[@starydynamo]

This is great advice and delivered perfectly with exquisite style.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

This guy somehow just simultaneously over and under simplified a complex subject.

[@maryzupancic7833]

He's a great character in of himself. I can see his personality coming through in future characters of mine. I like him.

[@anaclark3892]

Excellent speech. Very inspirational and provoking. Thank you.

[@chrismcbee4653]

Thank you. Your presentation is very helpful.

[@malaikahsaadiq]

Love this!

[@happypirate1000]

love love love love love this

[@FASELverschiebung]

that was lovely. i loved the "everyone can do this, its not so difficult" approach !!! thanks.

[@ruthannamarteifio9069]

Would love to meet this man---- Love his sense of humor, etc. Has a lot of good advice! :)

[@luckylenny2506]

Great talk, full of practical insight.

[@josephvalderrama4557]

He tapped his chest and said, "The writing is this." I knew he meant that writing comes from the heart. Without heart there is no passion. He lightly tapped his forehead and said, "If you want to become an academic use this." I knew he meant the passion to write an essay rattles around one's head. Then, his hand gently clenched into a fist as he said, "But, to be a writer," I knew, as he pumped his fist to add emphasis to the word writer, he meant that writing required discipline and dedication, and then he lightly tapped his chest and finished his thought, "this is what you need. You need faith." I've watched countless interviews of creative people. Dedication to fearlessly express the passion in their hearts is their common thread. They have faith in themselves.

[@jkorenak]

That was very good. Simple and to the point.

[@philhancock6754]

Great talk, quietly inspiring with some valuable ideas.

[@tinyrocks7549]

Niiiiiice. Loved the authenticity and the wit

[@wezibonus]

thank you,i love the honesty especially with the dolls

[@singingbowls1]

Very Good! Thank You Simon.

[@yvonnecain7015]

Thank you inspirational💖

[@cheerp7313]

I love his talk! I think that he was too good for his audience.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

As I read the comments down here I am reminded of one of the lessons we must learn to be any kind of artist. We must be willing and able to make ourselves vulnerable to whatever the audience's reaction is. I see many who are claiming this to be empty and a waste of their time. I see those who are encouraged and inspired. I know that if this man had received a preview of the crowd's response, maybe he would have been discouraged from taking to the stage. Thank goodness for what we don't know. He gave his delivery and got what a stand-up comedian would consider a rough night from a tough crowd. He persevered though and I suspect he knows that despite that crowds reaction there will be those that will get something out of it and that his conviction is critical if he is to reach anyone. Thanks Simon for having the courage to do it anyway. If we are to ever write anything, with the intention of actually sharing it with anyone, than we must be prepared for whatever happens next.

[@jayanandanthulasiraman420]

Awesome.. Loved the way the speaker tell us.. “the characters in the novel” would be instances from our life.. like the stuffed elephant example ..

[@elishagayc]

thank you for a very inspiring talk. everyone can tell their own story. good advice.

[@patty2049]

Excellent. Thank you

[@ri3oz]

This man is brilliant.

[@ColdShowerSobies]

Wonderful!

[@PsyDougTV]

Enjoyed the talk, the audience however made it pretty uncomfortable to watch.

[@jonmoore7387]

really eye opening :) thank you for sharing this :)

[@zachthebulldog]

Simon is terrific!

[@ChilliFedor]

Well done, fantastic take on the approach to writing.

[@bellaciao11]

Not sure why the audience was so unreceptive, this really helped me! Also +10 for the sense of humor

[@najtrows]

This was a really good speech.. i actually learned alot.

[@EverAppl14]

This. Person. Is. So. Charming.

[@behealthy9398]

Inspiring! Refreshing! Cute! Thank you.

[@KatieEllenH]

Generous and Truthful.

[@jcawalton]

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

[@yosiptook8064]

great talk

[@merlottime1794]

This was helpful and funny. Thank you 🤗

[@gseritt7653]

Great talk!

[@TheTruthFarm]

This is a 'Novel' idea. I think we should all be writing the story of our life. The most valuable asset you possess is your life so use it to your advantage and make something of it instead of letting it pass you by. I can guarantee only 5% of people that watch this will actually take advantage of this great advice with a further 20% of those continuing to utilize this fantastic natural asset. Some people breeze through their life putting off until tomorrow what can be achieved today and in a way this can and is working to the great advantage of many people who realize that their life is valuable. Time is the infinite keeper of the decisions that you choose to make but you must make the time work for you because the one golden rule that we all seem to have forgotten is you cannot make solid decisions to act on things that you simply don't have the time for. Many people wait their whole lives to make decisions that will affect the last ten to twenty years of their lives and that's if they're lucky. By the way Simon, when you were referring to the the birth of an idea you forgot to mention the inevitable shit that comes with it. Great talk Simon, well done!

[@DanSung2021]

I’m the first time like this after 8 years. Good comment man.

[@playmore6699]

Inspiring.

[@annwarneka868]

Marvelous TED Talk. Capturing the development of children. It's a lot to unpack. Is it Lord Simon Van Booy? He looks like he stepped out of a James Bond Movie.

[@specterone2766]

I like...always something to learn. always!

[@foreveryoungmama]

I've always read or have been told not to read in the genre you are writing in. I loved that you said read what you love.

[@herzali]

Amazing!

[@goddessm2752]

Great job!

[@victoriafield4835]

This is completely brilliant - humane, funny and helpful. I was puzzled by the lack of response in the audience. He was amazing being able to carry on in that dead atmosphere. What was wrong with them? Jealous probably.

[@222unikka]

I oove this guy

[@JasonJGallant]

nice talk. Gotta love writing. :)

[@devoicedmusic]

the talk was too good for TEDx audience, they only react to flashy "productive" "life-hacking" talks.

[@SaavsKitchen]

Exactly. I became so productive after listening to this talk, that I had to listen to the talk again whilst being productive because he motivated me to get it done. I started sketching and brian-storming my next plot for my dystopian novel.

[@MeMe-lx2jw]

Brooklyn folks need to be told what to think and how to react by some "thought leader" or anyone with pink hair. Thinking in itself isn't a thing there.

[@whiteeyedshadow8423]

no...this crowd is just a though crowd...most crowds laugh

[@supertasha3586]

Get advice, great talk. I enjoyed it.

[@fictionboy4552]

This guy is great.

[@nelsonisamazin]

Fantastic talk! What a tough crowd though

[@KarishmaChanglani]

What sort of boring audience doesn't laugh at any of that?

[@InsertNameHereBoi]

Karishma Changlani There's no external audience microphone. It's not that they're not laughing, it's that we can't hear them.

[@KarishmaChanglani]

oh! how can you tell? :D

[@InsertNameHereBoi]

Just the way the audio sounds. If you listen really carefully right after he tells a joke, you can sometimes hear a faint laughter, like it's far away. That's because it doesn't properly reach the microphone on his mouth.

[@LindaGayton]

+Karishma Changlani (LearningSpanish) I can hear laughter at intervals. Very faint.

[@daultonbaird6314]

+Karishma Changlani (LearningSpanish) He was funny and mesmerizing . I could listen to him for hours I loved his humor wisdom and jokes, but I didn't actually laugh . maybe he's too real.

[@dorottyajakab9371]

Very nice speech, I liked it a lot :)

[@ambullehasheriff7929]

Thanks

[@admiralofcuteness]

Oh my god, the fact he knew that doll's name gets me. A++

[@lanatherana157]

Solid advice🙂

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

I watched this video in under 20 seconds. In all seriousness though I found the speaker really funny and pleasant to listen to.

[@Me-pu5pj]

very good!