Writing a Novel Is EASY! Just Do This!

Andrew Klavan
18 Aug 202200:58

TLDRThe speaker discusses their disciplined approach to writing, influenced by the advice of Raymond Chandler to dedicate four hours a day solely to the craft. Despite being a slow writer, this routine led to the completion of their first novel at the age of 14. The speaker's dedication to their writing process is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of discipline over speed in producing literary works.

Takeaways

  • 📝 The speaker is extremely disciplined in their writing process.
  • ✍️ They consider themselves a slow writer but highly productive due to discipline.
  • 🚀 The speaker aspires to write at a faster pace, like Ben Shapiro, to increase output.
  • 👶 As a child, the speaker was influenced by American tough guy writers.
  • 📚 Raymond Chandler's detective stories and his letters had a significant impact on the speaker.
  • ⏰ Chandler's advice of dedicating four hours a day to writing was adopted by the speaker.
  • 🌟 The speaker wrote their first novel at the age of 14, adhering to a strict writing schedule.
  • 🌙 The speaker's early morning writing sessions from 3 to 7 AM demonstrate their commitment.
  • 🧠 Discipline has become second nature to the speaker, shaping their writing habits.
  • 📖 The speaker's early exposure to literature and their dedication to writing have led to a prolific career.

Q & A

  • What is the writer's discipline like?

    -The writer is extraordinarily disciplined, as they are a slow writer who adheres to a strict writing schedule.

  • How does the writer compare their writing speed to Ben Shapiro's?

    -The writer wishes they could write as fast as Ben Shapiro, jokingly stating they would have a hundred million books if they could.

  • What was the writer's early influence in literature?

    -The writer was influenced by American tough guy writers, including Raymond Chandler, who wrote Philip Marlowe detective stories.

  • What advice did Raymond Chandler give about writing?

    -Raymond Chandler advised having four hours a day dedicated solely to writing, during which the writer should do nothing else.

  • At what age did the writer write their first novel?

    -The writer wrote their first novel at the age of 14.

  • What was the writer's routine for writing their first novel?

    -The writer worked for four hours, from three in the morning till seven, to write their first novel.

  • How did the writer's early morning writing routine become for them?

    -The routine of writing from three to seven in the morning became second nature to the writer.

  • How does the writer describe their writing process?

    -The writer describes their writing process as slow and disciplined, emphasizing the importance of a dedicated writing schedule.

  • What was the writer's reaction to the advice given by Raymond Chandler?

    -The writer took Chandler's advice seriously and incorporated it into their writing routine, which contributed to their discipline.

  • How does the writer feel about their writing abilities?

    -The writer expresses a sense of self-deprecation, stating they are 'nothing if not disappointing,' which could imply a high standard for their own work.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Discipline and Writing Productivity

The speaker discusses their writing process, emphasizing the importance of discipline. They mention being a slow writer but highly disciplined, inspired by the advice of Raymond Chandler to dedicate four hours a day solely to writing. This routine became second nature, leading to the completion of their first novel at the age of 14, often writing from 3 am to 7 am.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Discipline

Discipline refers to the ability to control one's behavior and emotions, especially to achieve a particular goal. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a crucial factor in the speaker's writing process, where they follow a strict routine to maintain productivity. The speaker's discipline is evident in their commitment to writing for four hours a day, which has become a natural part of their routine.

💡Prolific

Prolific describes someone who produces a large quantity of work, especially creative work, in a relatively short period. The speaker contrasts their slow writing pace with the idea of being prolific, suggesting that if they could write quickly like Ben Shapiro, they would have produced a vast number of books. This term is used to emphasize the speaker's dedication to quality over quantity in their writing.

💡Revelations

Revelations are new or surprising insights or discoveries, often of a profound or significant nature. In the video, the speaker mentions revelations in a somewhat metaphorical sense, possibly referring to the insights they gain from their writing or the inspiration they receive, which could be likened to messages from 'spiritual beings on high.' This concept adds a layer of mystique and depth to the creative process discussed.

💡Spiritual Beings

Spiritual beings are entities or forces that are considered to have a non-physical or supernatural existence. The speaker uses this term in a figurative way to describe the sources of inspiration for their writing. It suggests that the ideas and themes they explore in their work come from a deep, perhaps transcendent, place within themselves or the universe.

💡American Tough Guy Writers

This term refers to a genre of literature characterized by hard-boiled, gritty, and often cynical protagonists. The speaker mentions Raymond Chandler, a prominent author in this genre, as an influence on their own literary interests. The 'tough guy' writers have a distinct style that focuses on realism, moral ambiguity, and the darker aspects of human nature, which the speaker seems to have been drawn to in their youth.

💡Raymond Chandler

Raymond Chandler is a renowned American-British author known for his detective novels featuring the character Philip Marlowe. In the video, the speaker cites Chandler's advice on writing discipline, which was to dedicate four hours a day solely to writing. Chandler's influence is significant as it shaped the speaker's early writing habits and their approach to the craft.

💡Philip Marlowe

Philip Marlowe is a fictional private detective created by Raymond Chandler. The character is a key element of Chandler's literary contribution and represents the 'tough guy' archetype. The speaker's mention of Marlowe indicates their appreciation for the character and the genre, which likely influenced their own writing style and thematic choices.

💡Writing Process

The writing process encompasses the steps a writer takes from the initial idea to the final draft of a piece of work. The speaker discusses their writing process as being slow and deliberate, with a focus on discipline and a structured routine. This process is central to the video's theme, as it reflects the speaker's dedication to their craft and their belief in the importance of consistent effort.

💡First Novel

A first novel is a writer's debut work in the form of a book-length narrative. The speaker mentions writing their first novel at the age of 14, which demonstrates their early start in the literary world. This milestone is significant as it marks the beginning of the speaker's journey as a writer and their commitment to the discipline of writing.

💡Writing Routine

A writing routine is a consistent schedule or set of habits that a writer follows to facilitate their creative work. The speaker's routine involves writing for four hours each day, which has become second nature to them. This routine is a key aspect of their discipline and is highlighted as a strategy for maintaining focus and productivity in their writing.

Highlights

The speaker is extraordinarily disciplined in their writing process.

They are a slow writer and admire the speed of Ben Shapiro's writing.

The speaker's discipline stems from their childhood and early exposure to literature.

Influenced by American tough guy writers, particularly Raymond Chandler.

Raymond Chandler's advice to write for four hours a day was adopted by the speaker.

The speaker wrote their first novel at the age of 14.

They followed Chandler's advice by writing from 3 AM to 7 AM.

Writing for four hours became second nature to the speaker.

The speaker's discipline is a result of a structured and dedicated approach to writing.

The speaker's writing process is a blend of discipline and inspiration from spiritual sources.

The speaker's childhood experiences with literature shaped their writing habits.

The speaker's writing speed is a point of self-deprecation.

The speaker's discipline is a method to avoid disappointment.

The speaker's writing routine is a testament to their dedication to the craft.

The speaker's early morning writing sessions were a key part of their discipline.

The speaker's discipline is a learned behavior from literary role models.

The speaker's writing process is a mix of discipline and a natural inclination.

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