The Blueprint for a Killer Story | Robert Greene

Robert went from being “a drunk, failed screenwriter” to writing seven bestsellers with millions of copies sold. Entrepreneurs, politicians, and hip-hop artists like 50 Cent all love his work. His secret ingredient? Storytelling.

In Robert’s eyes, story is a form of seduction. So, welcome to 76-minutes of seductive storytelling advice. You’ll learn how to write stories that have timeless resonance, swapping cute and clever for crisp and clear. You’ll dive deep into style, themes, research, and revision. And you’ll hear all the nitty-gritty details that make a story sell.

And his books have flown off the shelves. 48 Laws of Power has sold millions of copies, and is as popular today as it was when it came out 25 years ago.

If you want behind-the-scenes storytelling advice from a seasoned bestselling author, this episode is for you.

SPEAKER LINKS:

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:55 The Importance of Timelessness in Writing
00:04:25 The Art of Storytelling and Research
00:06:00 Challenges in Finding the Right Stories
00:08:00 Note Card System for Organizing Research
00:10:30 Developing Themes and Finding Stories
00:13:30 Process of Writing and Overcoming Doubts
00:15:45 Evolution of Writing Style and Depth
00:21:00 Connecting Abstract Ideas to Concrete Experiences
00:24:50 Empathy and Authenticity in Writing
00:29:30 Influences and Unique Writing Style
00:40:00 Essence of Live Ideas
00:42:00 Crafting a Book: Structure and Process
00:43:50 Laborious Writing Process
00:47:45 Sublime and the Struggle
00:49:15 Unique Structure of My Books
00:52:15 Creativity: Divine Revelation or Hard Work?
00:54:20 Lessons from Hollywood
01:03:00 Power of Storytelling
01:14:10 Importance of Purpose in Writing

PODCAST LINKS:

ABOUT THE HOST:
I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.

How I Write is a podcast by Write of Passage // Production by Adam Soccolich

[DavidPerellChannel]

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."

[RobertGreeneOfficial]

Thank you for having me on the show David.

[sudhiirkrishnan]

The words of Robert Greene are indeed very simulating and inspiring.

[fireandseed]

HE AIN'T GATEKEEPING NOTHING. This is literally KEY information you'd learn from an entire lifetime of learning/writing career. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!

[Kallused.]

Research is such a foundational element to communicating ideas and stories in a simple manner. Research Is extremely pleasing as long as you like learning new things. The hardest part about it is feeling like you're being unproductive and wasting time

[ICONS-podcast]

It's rare that you get an interview with Robert Greene that's exclusively about his writing - insane.

Absolutely love how conscious Greene is about the emotion he feels as he writes - ensuring that the reader has the most ALIVE read with his books.

[iamozel]

"A story is a form of seduction." Amazing!

[Doddom]

Can we take a moment to appreciate David and his efforts for us 🌹

[okeziepax]

I’m so grateful Robert Greene is a writer in my generation. Watching his videos and reading his books are one of the best experiences I’m grateful for. Such an intelligent, introspective, eloquent, and thoughtful guy. Soo much love from Nigeria 🇳🇬 ❤️

[femkechess]

The interviewers questions were just fantastic. Thank you For the partnership. I love Robert and David

[tolibear]

Robert Greene is my favorite author of all time

[MetokurAssistant]

Robert Green is such an inspiration to me. I love watching all of his interviews.

[thepartikelir]

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.

[marina.artoflife]

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. <3

[AtTheBaseOfBokTower]

David…

You are the new Michael Silverblatt, but interview in an even more vigorous and lively way.
I love it, and you.
Thank you for the abundance of value present in your work.

[lolachikivchuk]

David, thank you SO much for such an incredible, alive, textured content! We need it... The world needs it❤

[trycrone]

Two humble and formidable minds. It’s rare to see this much earnestness is one frame. Ryan is a third. Greene finds good people and David too.

[silentm]

I ordered index cards to sort out the horizontal plot of a story Ive been working on for nearly 2 years. Thanks for confirming that move, Robert.

Robert's amazing. So happy he did a show on the craft rather than the content of his writing.

[traezaX]

Robert Greene's books are very exquisite. Listening to him speak is very rewarding

[theuberman]

Thanks David (I've once Commented To bring Robert Greene to Your Podcast: The Best How To Write Podcast & Here He is 😍)