Want to Tell Better Stories? This Guy Will Teach You How (Nat Eliason | How I Write Podcast)

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Nat Eliason was a frustrated writer who published “How-To” articles but dreamed of someday writing a book. So, he disappeared into a cave for two years to teach himself storytelling, and emerged with a gripping memoir. Here's what his odyssey taught him about writing: 1. Start with a bang. Nat’s memoir opens with his crying baby, his pissed-off wife, and the fact that he’s about to lose $100,000,000. 2. Beware of the “Grammarly Problem.” Some of the best writing in the world wouldn’t make it through Grammarly... and that’s why it’s top-tier. 3. Get clear on who you’re writing for. Books can easily fall into the Film Festival Trap: “movies for people who make movies.” Are you writing to impress other writers, or actually engage readers? 4. Emotional writing is powerful writing. If you find yourself sobbing in a coffee shop as you write, then chances are you’re on the right track. 5. Writers these days get too much editing help, which reduces the distinctiveness of whatever's being written. 6. If you want to write a book, write a f***ing book. Don't half-ass it. Either you're all-in or all-out. 7. Most good writing doesn’t reach the masses because it’s too dense and opaque. The challenge is to write something as readable as James Patterson with the depth of David Foster Wallace. 8. Every good story follows a similar formula: Promise, Progress, and Payoff. You can get away with an okay Resolution (Payoff) and a mediocre Middle (Progress), but you absolutely cannot have a dull Hook (Promise). 9. Create conflict and suspense in your stories by teasing the risk of death. But not necessarily a physical death - it can be emotional, spiritual, or relational. 10. Dialogue exists to push the story forward. So, it needs to relate to the obstacle at hand. Good dialogue orbits around tension. 11. Pretty much every scene in a book or movie ends with a “Yes, but…” or a “No, and….” This is how you raise the stakes and keep the pages turning.

[@nateliason]

Thanks for having me on David!

[@nateliason]

Such a fun conversation, we covered an incredible amount of ground here. Really appreciate you having me on David!

[@MullOver.]

This is the best podcast on KZbin. I highly recommend inviting Lawrence Yeo as your next guest. His blog, More To That, is like Wait But Why but better. He is a storytelling genius, and I’m sure it would be an amazing conversation. David, as a young online writer, I really appreciate the effort you put into this podcast. Thank you!

[@nateliason]

Lawrence would be a wonderful guest. +1!

[@MullOver.]

Absolutely. He is a genius. I have started writing long illustrated essays since meeting him. Lawrence has been such an important influence that I quote him in appreciation at the end of every essay I publish on Medium. By the way, Nat, I am currently building my blog using your article, "How to Start a Blog That Changes Your Life." It has been a beacon in the fog. You're always a precious resource-thank you!

[@JocelynAlsdorf]

Wow. This was an amazing listen. Bookmarked to watch again. I can't believe how much amazing info you both provided. I feel lucky to have stumbled onto this!

[@theryandreyer]

This and the Ryan Holiday are the two best writing pods I’ve ever listened to. Thank you so much for bringing so much wisdom and actionable advice out of these guests 🙏🏼 very excited to read Nat’s book. Just ordered it after listening to the pod

[@nateliason]

Thanks Ryan!

[@learn_with_a_curiousimmigrant]

when does next session of writeofpassage will open? any on demand content ?? Also suggestions 1) interview someone whose first language is not english but write really well 2) Instead of falling to Grammarly problem, how to solve that? How to write better, with the help of AI (co-create with AI), in the right places esp for immigrants.

[@albertogalca]

Very nice talk. Btw, does anyone have the links to the talks/videos Nat mentions in the podcast (the ones about storytelling)? Thanks in advance!

[@theflightmadness]

Excellent talk, discovered a lot of new KZbin channels!

[@bruceryba5740]

Thank you!

[@iLoveWriting365]

Amazing line! "I was about to lose $100M..."

[@nateliason]

Thank you!

[@dcle944]

Where does the John Steinback’s quote come from? It’s not from East of Eden. Is it even John Steinback’s?

[@buraktamac]

I hope you realize that 'winning' in crypto (not bitcoin) is at the expense of others' lack of financial literacy.

[@digtime955]

that’s all of life, your boss wins because you don’t realize the value you provide for them versus the money they pay you

[@sultanalshirah]

"Sam Altman" episode waiting room

[@parvazc93]

Been waiting for weeks in line to watch the sama episode, on the curb, in the rain and sun, eating crushed peanuts, under my lonely umbrella. Reminds me of the lines we used to make for the latest Potter launch.