Pain & Art: Write What You Honestly Know | Ryan Gattis | TEDxChapmanU

When a gang lord told novelist Ryan Gattis to cut to the chase, he did. Surprising to the Chapman University professor was that the command was also a gift that released his creativity and helped guide him to the completion of his acclaimed novel about the Los Angeles riots of 1992, All Involved: A Novel of the 1992 L.A. Riots.
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)
Gattis is also the author of novels Kung Fu High School and Roo Kickkick & the Big Bad Blimp, as well as two novella, The Big Drop: Homecoming and The Big Drop: Impermanence. He lives and writes in Los Angeles, where he is a member of the street art crew Uglarworks.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@Funandconsciousness]

"Authenticity says 'I trust you to see who I really am'." WOW!!! That had impact!!

[@aakashsoni2199]

200th like comes from me. 😀

[@darioushmohammadian2622]

I think the lecture itself had "hook", "the unexpected", "Cause and effect" "how did it feel" and "specific details" in leaps and bounds

[@matthewclark4155]

I think that was the point he was trying to make. It makes it that much more profound when you think about it.

[@cecilieh2903]

Wow. Deeply moving and profound! 🙏✨🌹

[@evasco1979]

5 essentials of immersive story telling 1. Hooks - they grab our attention 2. Unexpected- the art of surprise. It unbalances the audience and makes them wonder what is coming next. 3. Cause and effect - a link of series of events (one thing happening after another) that creates a dynamic chain of occurrences. 4. How did it feel - explaining mentally, emotionally, physically how you feel in a given story helps audience connect on a given level. 5. Concrete, specific detail - it is the lifeblood of storytelling: it convinces us.

[@AmbiCahira]

"Fluent in pain" ... I felt that hard. I'm going to use that from now on because it perfectly describes it.

[@Rigofromtheforest]

I could imagine everything he said from begging to end.

[@crypthor2008]

same

[@joelhendrix998]

This man has an incredible way with words - truly relatable from any walk of life just by the language & honesty he uses. So dope.

[@helium73]

I wanted to be a writer yet it never occured to me that I should practice telling stories. I've never really told stories. I remember a beautiful girl asked me once "Tell me a story". Here I was wanting to be a writer but I don't remember if I actually came up with one. My whole family stories. Maybe that's why I wanted to be a writer.

[@user-bb3kw8gx1n]

Hate it when women do that.

[@HOKUTO-NO-PEN]

You should totally do it! Go for it!

[@alwaysreadin163]

It's never too late, look into self publishing! I was able to publish 3 short stories when I was in middle schooland I might look into doing it again when I'm out of college which I'm currently in. I made 20 dollars. My stories were ebooks priced at 3-5 dollars. I think you can do it. You just gotta take that leap and see where it takes you. :)

[@JR-em3mo]

the more specific to the human condition you can get the closer you can be with someone so different from you.

[@kiddiefables2051]

"I moved and I moved on" wow. That one sentence. I can't even express what it did to me. He has a way with words. Concise but to the point

[@AlexCurole]

One of the best talks yet.

[@desisess8461]

All I needed. Same awakening in different way. I write music. Thank you Ryan grattis

[@LavenderFieldsForever]

Desi Sess wow me as well! With music 💜

[@Viakwetu]

This is and will be an inspiration for me to be my authentic self.

[@alabamajenny8751]

That! THAT my friends is a gift, molded to perfection. He put his honesty, his mild mannered heart and drive into that conversation. I love this so much. It is all about connecting with people on a human level. Bravo!! Bravo!

Exceptional talk Ryan! Beautiful amazing story! Best of luck with your newly published novel! I hope you sell a million + !!

[@KatieLee235]

this is fantastic... i don't know why it doesn't have more views! sooo good and helpful.

[@ajarofpotential]

Thank you. It continues to amaze me how the gems of wisdom i needed to hear, like this, find their way to me.

[@codacreator6162]

It takes big brass ones to expose yourself as weak, flawed, hapless, vulnerable. But that’s exactly what it takes to be truly authentic. Read Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt for a truly artistic example of the language of pain.

[@vivianeb90]

Great talk and touching, too. Gives me hope as a failed someone.

[@JeremyReardon1]

Thank you for sharing your stories! You help give me hope! And thank you for supporting our troops by being there for them!

[@CoachSteve4u]

This is one of the best Ted Talks ever. This reminds me of why I write.

[@LeonellCassio]

Woah. Beautiful! One of the greatest speaches ive heard!

[@divyenduraina]

what?????

[@vickyhudak1765]

Truly one of the best I've seen! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@aj.5841]

Do not doubt your creativity. If you continue to explore, and not give up, you'll be incredibly rewarded. The magic will literally to come to life on your pages. Give it time.

[@arh7303]

This is so great - what a gift. Thank you.

[@slotherapist]

Love your story telling.

[@johndoe4073]

Wow! That was one of the best TED Talks! This guy is incredible! A truly gifted storyteller.

[@leesiple8561]

thank you for sharing your pain. thank you for being human

[@amandine6319]

THis is the best TED talk I have ever heard

[@nappyscribe1987]

I can get out of bed and finish telling my story in a book I’m writing.

[@arkieologist]

So moving. I'm going to share this inspiring story. I need to be more open and authentic. Another word - vulnerable. 👌

[@texcellency]

Am I the only one thinking that he looks like Chester Bennigton? The singer of Linkin Park?

[@crypthor2008]

is pretty similar

[@CPeshMusic]

I see Moby.

[@carlconway8703]

That was truly brilliant! Great storytelling.

[@Novacynthia]

Outstanding you are in the humility , charisma and beauty you bring to your story 🦋🌎✨❤️ Thank you for speaking to the Value of our authentic life stories as humanizing in a time when others speak to it saying “Oh Everybody has a Story” so just swallow it!

[@miischaqi2676]

Outstanding story, Ryan! Thank you so much

[@tonkaloui]

Thank you so much🙏🌟☀️ so grateful for your wisdom🙏☀️🌟☀️

[@Soulpiercerofficial]

I'am speechless after that, thank you and congratulations on your journey much love too you man

[@ItsOurFault]

That was beyond legit! From someone who has a million stories......thanks for doing this, you did an amazing job.

[@derekjohnstone7977]

Honestly one of the best ted talks, scratch that best videos on youtube, I have ever watched. I was so drawn in, so tied to hearing the next word that was spoken I forgot where I was. I could taste the authenticity it was so real. Best talk since Simon Sinek's, can't wait to binge your writing, will be purchasing All Involved. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@alabamajenny8751]

Beautifully told! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@spangled_soul]

That was brilliant!!!

[@Tevecdance]

What a fantastic and engaging story. Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@mmikaojONE]

Damn, I was so hoping this was going to be about tattooing. Sick work on Ryan by the way, I could tell it was Chris Brand from the first few seconds I saw his sleeves

[@SyeedAli]

In other news, people who play the blues have the blues.

[@annafedorova_sf]

What a fantastic talk! I needed this.

[@mindaugascechanavicius8892]

True words. Impressive ending with true knowledge

[@infinimetrical]

The balance of pain and bliss. Buddhism, the understanding that pain is required to also understand and appreciate pleasure. Our desire for more also requires the experiences and actions to achieve balance. Nirvana, heaven, whichever you actively choose within all right in this life. Most often relate to pain when pain has been experienced that hasn't completely broken a person. Love is a strength.

[@user-jd1hy9bg1d]

*He's the gang member he's talking about. nice story ^^*

[@shanebrennan256]

So random, i accidently pressed my phone screen decided to let it play and WOW what a great story told 👌

[@zacharychick1441]

Excellent job!

[@mysticartist7]

omg ! So amazing. It made me cry .

[@birdsofprey7324]

Thank you!😊

[@LaniCreatesArt]

Love love this tedtalk!♥️♥️♥️

[@crinanthethane9386]

Wonderful message! ❤️🙏🏼

[@abbystone5738]

Love!

[@MissHeatherLee]

Phenomenal . Thank you

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

Loved this THANK YOU 💖💖🙌

[@jennyhughes4474]

What a great speaker he is - it was quite a long talk for me but even I (with my brain injury) stuck with it!

[@mayantoniettebarbarono6004]

This is so beautiful!

[@tilakrijal3689]

you inspired me sir

[@murdochmozart]

Marvelous talk 💯

[@dianadevlin3717]

Great storytelling!

[@vickyhudak1765]

Yes!

[@falangenglishdictionarybys3653]

great lesson.

[@ishaansharma61]

what a great act!

[@Jason-ji4sy]

Wow. Amazing.

[@DLS.Supreme]

Amazing! Your audience missed out giving high salutations to the achievements of your story. I hope I get a chance to your publications!!

[@kaqueburlington4278]

Fantastic talk!

[@alxiroi]

Great talk, wow

[@jiwann4213]

There should have been an applaud at 15.40. Great presentation.

[@jozefinasimoni3771]

Great ❤️

[@cctreadway9500]

What a great storyteller!

[@TheBartomon]

I wish I could give this talk 100 thumbs ups

[@theartzscientist8012]

EXCELLENT!!!

[@annwarneka868]

Millions of Americans do hot have health insurance. Or Benefits. Yet we are sold the dream we might one day, be successful. Good on you. I like your style and realism.

[@DairangerSentai7]

What is a story? To help you distance from traumatic experience? 5 essentials of immersive storytelling: (What we already know) Hooks: The unexpected; art of surprise Cause and effect: How did it feel? Concrete specific detail *What's new:* None of these techniques mean anything without authenticity. If I'm not authentic, something could happen to someone else. I don't know how to lower the magic of writing. Because truthfully it isn't magic. This isn't dead cold orthodoxy. How can I see my story change the space around us?

[@tochukwunwanyanwu5488]

compelling

[@TheHeartOne]

Muy Bueno!!!

[@eleinacampbell8235]

This talk came up for me, a writing spiritual scientist and storyteller, Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.

[@metamorphic8]

🌟Gold🌟

[@henbane2247]

That was a really good story

[@yor90]

heavy dude. gotta read'm mow

[@chetrok1]

Good story

[@YellowhatDick]

I wrote a 500,000 word book, over 2,000 pages. Only sold one; it was returned- prolly cause it was two hundred dollars, ha!

[@PerpetualEducation]

I lived across the street!

[@StephRae]

The greatest ending ever.

[@luzaguirre2830]

Cool story bro

[@billyalarie2841]

what's that countdown? when i noticed it, it said there was between 3 and a half and 4 minutes left on it. was that his allotted time? because there's another 10 minutes left in this thing.

[@mlg2592]

All I can think of when I hear the name “Lynwood” is Weird Al’s childhood home.

[@bertoonz]

Nice story

[@crypthor2008]

13:43 lol we all did that with the nose

[@vincevaughn3189]

His glasses are killer

[@ladybird491]

He has great style

[@Wrenhollow-arts]

00:41 What was the point of that slide? XD

[@healingwaters1193]

Deep.. cute...

[@polat6810]

Ted bed time talk!

[@HYP3RHyper]

Here because of school

[@tacopizza493]

"Something" or "nothing" will happen to him? Which one?

[@meidanrrustemi8322]

Hes said nothing will happen to him, but something will happen to his friend which is arranging the meetup

[@nadiazarrougui]

I said : FINE !

[@desertportal353]

I like that tattoo ... the one tied around his neck. No wait ... the one on his chin. No wait ... those on his long sleeves. No wait ... those buttons on his collars. No wait ....

[@nelsonx5326]

I wrote a 157,000 word story (fiction) that I'm trying to turn into a decent book. First I wrote the story, then got a word program to lay it out in a condition that might become a book someday. This month I bought 6 books on writing, and am trying to teach myself proper writing skills. I think I might be overwhelmed. I finished reading a book on grammar. Forget about style or craftiness with words, grammar alone has me wondering if I'm in over my head. I have a healthy imagination, no problem there. The story, a schizophrenic rock star who keeps popping in and out of completely different personalities while being transported half way around the world in a 600' luxury yacht to play a huge concert to save the planet is, I believe, an interesting and humorous one. I can picture everything like it's a movie, but I don't know if I can do this book thing. I should have studied writing. I'm an artist, studied classical guitar and played well till arthritis kicked in last year, I'm a silversmith, made bronze monuments, all kinds of smart skills. I had fun writing the story, it flowed, no writers block. But now, turning it into a real book, that is starting to scare me. I should be able to give my story to an expert on writing and have it fixed and made book worthy, don't you think? I'm due to retire soon. Maybe I can do it, make a book.

[@bendemare5270]

You feel like teaching yourself to write seems a lot of work? Try to get some skills ,maybe give it some time,and find trust worthy,critical and honest beta-readers to give you critics ... Anyway,maybe it's to much,I don't know,you can chose . Good luck!

[@nelsonx5326]

@@bendemare5270 It's a project, that's for sure. I knew my first draft was rough, but I didn't know how rough till I got some books on writing. If you are expert at something, have a skill that you have somewhat mastered, you know that your teacher only took you so far, that the mastery came from you and your input, your desire to excel and accomplish something. I got very good at the classical guitar. A half hour lesson a week for a year got me to the point where I could become self teaching. It was me that practiced 4 hours a day while holding down a full time job. We all know how to write some, but real writing is an art. I'll give it a serious try. I have the story, but I want to write a real book that people will keep turning pages because they are having fun and want to know what will happen next. Did you see that! I shouldn't have written "and want to know what will happen next", I should have written "and want to know what happens next". I'll show how I fixed a part of my story if you're interested. Thanks for the chat.

[@wingofafly]

Schizophrenics don't have multiple personalities - that's dissociative identity disorder. Good luck with your book. Sounds like a fun premise.

[@matthewclark4155]

Maybe you should consider writing about the topics you are authentically knowledgeable about? It might make the process much more natural. There's plenty of money in blogging about teaching others one's creative passions. Just a thought...

[@dude67828]

NELSON X Pass it on...one never knows what might happen. Good luck and God bless.

[@hellzyaiagree4039]

Great presentation . interesting point....his outfit without those killer tattoos would be called a wimp or milktoast, a noodle or geek....add the tattoos and suddenly he's manly and sexy. All Hail The Power Of The Ink!

[@Inkdraft]

Take a good look, those are sleeves.