Neil Gaiman's advice for aspiring writers

Neil Gaiman shares his tips for aspiring writers during his talk with Daniel Handler at BAM.
From En Garde!: Neil Gaiman and Daniel Handler
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Feb 17, 2015
For more video from talks at BAM, visit BAM.org/Talks

[@jmanzo2009]

"You think there's literature, and there's the stupid scribbles that I'm doing." How comforting it is to hear that.

[@umm--__--]

Very

[@ishanpgupte]

exactly why writers need writers' words (i mean the ones apart from those that make up their fiction) i have immense respect for the ancient writers who didn't have internet videos for little bursts of inspiration and encouragement.

[@ProgrammedForDamage]

That's exactly how I feel some of the time, so it's encouraging to know a lot of people have those doubts.

[@Psychebo]

It's comforting but it's also bullshit

[@shiitcockk3547]

Abominable Love hell yeah man especially when you’re starting out with it

[@benjaminthibieroz4155]

The first step to be fully loved is to love yourself. The first step to write a story people will love is that YOU love it And there's no other way So write what you want to write, what makes you proud, excited and inspired. Allow yourself to not be good. Allow yourself to be terrible at first. But never allow yourself to write a story you don't believe in.

[@brendaniels7267]

Where have you been in the last 4 years? I needed to read that... :,c

[@benjaminthibieroz4155]

@@brendaniels7267 I'm glad you did. Good luck

[@czos9239]

"But never allow yourself to write a story you don't believe in..." because there are millions, perhaps billions, in the world who live this way. And they are the walking dead.

[@zionleach3001]

True. But it seems people these days get mad if your views don't align with there's or you didn't include "X group of people." But it works out for writers. Cause when Twitters freaks out about something people usually see it as a good sign.

[@itsallaboutmusiczz]

Thank u for this, it made me tear up

[@dorianxanyn]

"No one wakes up and says a series of unfortunate events is something the world needs," the universe, "I'll pencil that in for January 1st 2020, "

[@emmazhang2418]

ahahhahaha

[@johnmandrake8829]

I don’t think I can tell my story better than anyone else..but I know I can tell it in the way I intend to tell it, better then anyone else

[@barbyzz22]

That's exactly what they mean when they say that. The way that you can tell it with the intention of being just how you want it, is something that nobody but you will be able to do. That's what matters, that's what makes it only possible for you to tell it, because (and yes, this sounds redundant) nobody but you will be able to tell the story that your words can tell.

[@YggdrasilReviews]

This mans comedic delivery is remarkable.

[@cjpreach]

"You can only write what you give a f*** about." (William Goldman) Forget the "market." You CREATE the market.

[@susanadiasjohnson457]

100% makes sense to write what you care about and care about what you write, enough to finish it.

[@marketingdigest6884]

Aspiring writers can learn a thing or two from renowned British author Neil Gaiman. Excellent tips!

[@ximono]

The question is, can marketers?

[@elenaphisher244]

I never fini

[@robbieclark7828]

Alan Moore advice to aspiring writers- "Don't. You're not as good as me and I suck."

[@brodiecrain13]

Robbie Clark no he'd probably "If you feel entitled to a paycheck ypur not dedicated to your art enough"

[@alexander33221]

I like his work, but the guy is a self-centered tool

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

@@brodiecrain13 BINGO!!!!!!! Write for the love of telling the story. IF you are fortunate enough to be able to make a living by doing what you love, glory hallelujah, but the royalty check should NOT be THE motivating factor. PRAISE should NOT be the motivating factor. If EITHER of those factors are why a person decides to write, they are wasting their time and the readers. I know of a famous author (now dead) who wanted to be on the same 'stage' as it were with Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle, so she essentially stole the character and remodeled him into a BELGIAN Sherlock Holmes with many of Sherlock's personality issues as well as the story structure and relationship dynamics with colleagues. Now here's the kicker. This 'author' treated this character like a child she was forced to carry to term, referring to him as someone who deserved to be HATED". WHY did she say this of a character who made her career? Because her reason for 'creating' him were all about HER. The character was a means to an end; royalty checks and praise for her. I do not read this 'author' NOTHING by her is allowed in my home because she betrayed my trust. Give a damn or don't bother.

[@dazpatreg]

@@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE it's Poirot yeah

[@a.bagasm.7253]

We can easily forgive a child who's afraid of the dark.the real tragedy is when men are afraid of lights - plato

[@lovelyluhan]

And this is why this man is so inspiring…

[@mollypolly555]

I actually learned more from the INTERVIEWER in this clip. Very wise man. Exactly what I needed to hear!

[@Dark-Bit]

"I would like to be a writer other than Jorge Luis Borges. I do not like what I write; if I were more prudent, I would read more and would not commit the imprudence of writing" Jorge Luis Borges.

[@bashooku]

I still love his short story The Book of Sand. I actually have to accredit some of the inspiration for my writing to that story.

[@bignapolean3068]

I agree, to a point. However, there are also gatekeepers who actually choose to publish your work based on market niche and indentifiable audience.

[@AdityaDixitYT]

Damn! I saw the title and having seen some of his Masterclass videos, I wondered if he'd say "Finish things". BANG ON that's what he said!

[@czowiek9625]

Where did you find his masterclass videos?

[@AdityaDixitYT]

@@czowiek9625 The Masterclass app has them. And if it's too expensive, ykw

[@czowiek9625]

@@AdityaDixitYT Thank you!! Really appreciate the help 😌❤

[@masuganut2082]

Wow. What he said at the end.... thank you

[@MorphingReality]

Well put by both gentlemen.

[@artea2381]

Loved it! One of the best pieces of advice right here!

[@nmlss]

The shittiest published story is still better than the most wonderful story that is still unfinished in your laptop. As Jake Parker said: "Finished, not perfect."

[@dornelli1]

writers are the ones who keep on writting, no matter what

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

The man just gives. He is an Angel.

[@EmmanuelSeals]

Beautiful

[@Aurora-313]

'No world of marketing ever would've woken up one day and said 'A series of Unfortunate Events is exactly what the world needs!'." - laugh crying in 2020

[@empresscarrot5417]

I love that series ❤️

[@ND-yv1jf]

I think he is a great writer, I have started Neverwhere but didnt finish it, it just wasnt my thing

[@davidcopson5800]

"Finish things"!

[@YamiSpyroX]

Its funny. I kept thinking that Series of Unfortunate Events was some kind of inverse agnostic/atheist Narnia and when I see the man whom wrote I go: Look! We have ourselves an inverted C.S Lewis!

[@bel7055]

I’m so bad at finishing things lmao

[@martineldritch]

Think of a story you would like to read and then write it so that you can.

[@AceHardy]

👑

[@micahy.6190]

Well, at least I'm good at finishing other things.

[@ethanthompson3198]

goddammit I'm so fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucking frustrated.

[@Ilikebats123]

"Finish things." Sounds good, doesn't work

[@stick-itproductions.3307]

You *not* finishing a book has been more successful?

[@Ilikebats123]

@@stick-itproductions.3307 It's a joke

[@FabricioRodrigues...]

@@Ilikebats123 you need to finish more jokes... :v

[@zackaryjackson4568]

Hang in there bro!

[@michaelcolello2735]

This. I start all kinds of stuff. Finish? Not so much. It's a problem.

[@ishotmyboss]

What do you do when you don't have a desk, a room, and can't afford to have space to write because your parents stole your identity and ran up tax debt across multiple states and the irs says you're fucked I guess.

[@JPSalazarMe]

FINISH THANGZ!

[@TookThisPictureInSpace]

Ten very successful writers didn't like this video :D

[@bashooku]

lol

[@metacarpitan]

"Finish things" hahahahaha yeah never happenig

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

Old Yoda voice: And that... is why you fail.

[@davidcopson5800]

You didn't finish "happening" correctly even.

[@AaroneStefano]

Well the great Leonardo da Vinci never finished most of his works and look how legendary he turned out :D

[@AnnaLVajda]

Reply to the Jungle book and set it in a graveyard?

[@izzysworld6815]

His children's book: the Graveyard Book.

[@37Dionysos]

Oh, that's an easy one---write rubbish and aim for money!

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

That won't work. 🙄

[@patricio1162]

@@ClaireYunFarronXIII you don't know.

[@chrisbonnett6783]

Someone should tell want-to-be writers the truth. One writes because one must. It is from inside. It's not an option. If you're asking what you should write, stop pretending to be a writer. You're not. The truth is....all the signs are probably there that you're not a writer, but you want to be so badly you ignore them. The biggest stop sign is "writers block". "We all have it." NO - WE ALL DON'T. Procrastination!!!!! What are you doing other than writing? That's what you should be doing beside writing. You're not a writer. Get over it. Do something you enjoy and move on with your life. Have you ever asked the question: "How do you find time to write?" Are you kidding? I've woken at three in the morning with an idea and wrote until midnight. I stop writing most nights because my left hand stiffens to the point that I can't work the keyboard. Here's a test. If you can start with the opening sentence. "The dog ran to the window." and end up with a novel in three weeks, you're a writer. If not...you're not. Don't feel bad. It probably means you're not insane. Only a crazy person would wish the writer's plague on themselves. BTW. I rewrote this 12 times before I posted and it still sucks.

[@patricio1162]

Due to you suck

[@jasonyntig717]

Sometimes... it takes longer to write a novel... but it truly depends on each one of us. Each has different approach to art.

[@amyroth6836]

Three weeks? Interesting. By that logic, I guess Tolkien shouldn't have been a writer. Or George R.R. Martin - ESPECIALLY not him. He'd bomb that "test". Or J.K. Rowling. Or Diana Gabaldon. "Lord of the Rings" took Tolkien...what? Twelve years to finish drafting? Martin has said - in a joking, lighthearted manner, sure, but the spirit's still there - that he's elated about finishing three chapters of a novel in six months. Nora Roberts, on the other hand, routinely releases two to three novels a year. EVERY ONE of these people production pace is different, and guess what? They're all writers. BECAUSE THEY WRITE.

[@joemama-cf7sj]

@@amyroth6836 if you even make 1 dollar off a piece of writing you're a writer its that simple. Its just in this day and age if you're unknown in the writing field, you're basically dead in the water. Look at all the books ever written, or will be written and realize that most of it is trash and even less are worth reading.

[@infjelphabasupporter8416]

"I've woken at three in the morning and written until midnight" ... I am CONFUSION And by the way the novel would have to be excellent to make up for such a lame opening sentence as "the dog ran to the window" Oh, and, are you an author yourself? I'd be interested in reading whatever you've put out in three weeks.

[@killyourtelevision999]

Daniel Handler does NOT belong on the same stage with Neil Gaiman.

[@rheal2486]

+Em Jay Enn Super rude and unnecessary.

[@killyourtelevision999]

Rheal Hardly. Gaiman is talented; Handler is not.

[@BlaineTog]

+Em Jay Enn I can't help but think that if Gaiman agreed with you, he might not have shown up.

[@usagixbun]

+Em Jay Enn different styles for different markets. Plenty of people think Gaiman can't write worth a damn either

[@SKOfficial1996]

+Bella Marie Flynn YEAH ME. I don't think a lot of either of them but I certainly prefer Daniel Handler to bloody Neil Gaiman. urgh

[@maliceburgoyne495]

Neil Gaiman's first rule should be: don't ever read my work. He is a fine graphic novel or comic writer but an absolutely terrible novelist. He just cannot tell a story in traditional novel format.

[@tamarazamorano1569]

Malice Burgoyne and that makes him a bad novelist? Not following a structure?

[@gitamanibrahma1797]

@Malice Burgoyne i think he writes great having his own original style! And i think taking traditional format as a benchmark is stupidity.

[@strangescribe1]

Got any books out there Malice?

[@siobhanmacintosh3299]

Malice Burgoyne how's formulaic novel writing working for you? Is it possible that's not his aim?

[@davidcopson5800]

@@strangescribe1 Was there forethought in your question?