Robert Greene has developed a method for writing best-selling books like The 48 Laws of Power. This interview is a tell-all about his process. How does he write books? What makes for a great story? Some lessons: 1) The rewards of writing will come, but they're never immediate. 2) Don't talk down to your readers. 3) When you're writing about famous and powerful people, look for the things that make them human. The things that everybody can relate to, such as how they brushed their teeth or spoke to their mother. 4) Stories are the most elemental form of seduction. You can take the angriest child, tell them a story, and calm them down immediately. 5) When you're looking for stories to include in your book, look for stories that have drama to them. 6) Research, research, research. Robert basically has the entire book organized by the time he starts writing it. 7) Robert's been taking notes for so long that he now has thousands of notecards saved with information from all the books he's written. 8) Intensity of desire can take us to levels of performance we never thought possible. Get clear on what you intensely desire, and pursue it. 9) Robert spent years as a failed writer. He said: “I was a nobody, I had no money, I had no success, I was very frustrated, I was depressed, even bordering on suicidal.” 10) Don't try to change people's morals with a book. They have to come to the idea on their own. You can give them the information or lead them in a certain direction, but preaching to people doesn't change their thinking. 11) If you're consistently struggling with writer's block, you might be suppressing your anger. But anger is an intoxicating emotion. It manufactures words for you. Learn to listen to it. 12) The anger should be controlled, though. Robert says: "Controlled anger is ten times more powerful than just venting." 13) Writing prompt: What's something that's making you angry and pissed off? 14) Don't write about what you think you should write about. Write about what actually excites you because genuine excitement is the only fuel that can sustain you over multiple years while you're working on a book. 15) What's the mission of Robert's work? He says: "My secret ambition is to make things such as reading, studying the classics, and philosophy something hip, so that young people were inspired to step away from the TV and the Internet and challenge their minds."
Listening to Robert Greene's journey as a writer and concluding with Churchill's inspiring words, 'We shall never surrender,' has been both motivating and inspiring. Thank you, David.
Robert Greene at David's place... oh boy, what a treat. Thank you both for this beautiful conversation. I feel blessed to be able watch and learn from those I admire. What a time to live! David, thank you for your amazing work.
@@DavidPerellChannel I love that you keep the conversation on the guests to really get into their minds instead of agreeing and sharing your own stories. Good luck on your last cohort! I attended some of your workshops!
Robert Greene has developed a method for writing best-selling books like The 48 Laws of Power.
This interview is a tell-all about his process. How does he write books? What makes for a great story?
Some lessons:
1) The rewards of writing will come, but they're never immediate.
2) Don't talk down to your readers.
3) When you're writing about famous and powerful people, look for the things that make them human. The things that everybody can relate to, such as how they brushed their teeth or spoke to their mother.
4) Stories are the most elemental form of seduction. You can take the angriest child, tell them a story, and calm them down immediately.
5) When you're looking for stories to include in your book, look for stories that have drama to them.
6) Research, research, research. Robert basically has the entire book organized by the time he starts writing it.
7) Robert's been taking notes for so long that he now has thousands of notecards saved with information from all the books he's written.
8) Intensity of desire can take us to levels of performance we never thought possible. Get clear on what you intensely desire, and pursue it.
9) Robert spent years as a failed writer. He said: “I was a nobody, I had no money, I had no success, I was very frustrated, I was depressed, even bordering on suicidal.”
10) Don't try to change people's morals with a book. They have to come to the idea on their own. You can give them the information or lead them in a certain direction, but preaching to people doesn't change their thinking.
11) If you're consistently struggling with writer's block, you might be suppressing your anger. But anger is an intoxicating emotion. It manufactures words for you. Learn to listen to it.
12) The anger should be controlled, though. Robert says: "Controlled anger is ten times more powerful than just venting."
13) Writing prompt: What's something that's making you angry and pissed off?
14) Don't write about what you think you should write about. Write about what actually excites you because genuine excitement is the only fuel that can sustain you over multiple years while you're working on a book.
15) What's the mission of Robert's work? He says: "My secret ambition is to make things such as reading, studying the classics, and philosophy something hip, so that young people were inspired to step away from the TV and the Internet and challenge their minds."
Thank you for having me on the show David.
My Father
No way!!! Yesssssss watching now
I'm leaving this comment because it's an honor to leave a comment to Robert Greene's comment. Thank you.
You are indeed the Machiavelli of our time.
Love your works.
Was fun to do this... thanks for coming on the show!
"A story is a form of seduction." Amazing!
My favorite one-liner from the episode
Robert Greene is my favorite author of all time
Can we take a moment to appreciate David and his efforts for us 🌹
Thank you!!! Just setting started
This is one of my favorite writing platforms, thank you for all the great interviews
Lots and lots and lots more coming
Listening to Robert Greene's journey as a writer and concluding with Churchill's inspiring words, 'We shall never surrender,' has been both motivating and inspiring. Thank you, David.
This is the greatest podcast episode ever!!!!!
Hah! Thank you
Robert Greene is a superb guest! And incredible intro! Cheers David!
Enjoy it!
Robert Greene at David's place... oh boy, what a treat. Thank you both for this beautiful conversation. I feel blessed to be able watch and learn from those I admire. What a time to live! David, thank you for your amazing work.
Damnnnnnn bro. You should be in a million + subs already. Awsome work!! I cannot wait to Add this to my Notes.
Someday, someday
This is a decent podcast asking the right questions to one of my favourite authors.
Thanks for watching
I have been waiting for this for SO LONG
The day has arrived... enjoy it!
YESSSSSSS PUMPED FOR THIS!!!
Hope he talks his new book on the sublime it’s one of my fav subjects! Long live Longinus haha
Yep... he spends a decent amount of time talking about it
So good!
Thanks!
Robert Greene is super tall 😮
Bohot bohot shukriya khuda and You
Oh my oh my oh my....
You should get James Patterson on here!
Added to the list of potential guests
Please get Robert McKee on for an episode 📘
Good idea... I'll reach out
Yes!!
Enjoy!!
@@DavidPerellChannel I love that you keep the conversation on the guests to really get into their minds instead of agreeing and sharing your own stories. Good luck on your last cohort! I attended some of your workshops!
Algorithm tickle ⚡️
Proud to be first 😎
Niceeeee lol