Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t
A masterclass in writing and storytelling from Steven Pressfield.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Why your first draft is always bad
- The importance of concept in storytelling
- Creating a narrative that resonates with audiences
- Structural principles to improve writing
- The necessity of professional editing
- Understanding your audience
- The value of practice and perseverance
key point 1 of 7
Why your first draft is always bad
In reality, your first draft is always bad because you’re just beginning to explore your ideas. During this phase, you are mainly focused on getting your thoughts down on paper, not crafting a polished, well-structured narrative. You are likely to be excited about your ideas and eager to get them out of your head and onto the page. In this rush, you often overlook details, fail to provide adequate context, and neglect to fully develop your characters or arguments…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
The importance of concept in storytelling
The importance of a concept in storytelling is akin to the backbone of a body, providing a structure around which the story is built. It is the core idea, the central message that gives a story its meaning and direction. Without a strong concept, the narrative can become aimless and confusing, making it difficult for the audience to understand its purpose…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Creating a narrative that resonates with audiences
Creating a narrative that resonates with an audience is a critical aspect of writing. It requires an understanding of the audience’s needs, desires, and fears. It is not about writing what the author wants to write, but rather about writing what the audience wants to read. This means understanding the audience’s language, their values, their problems, and their vision of a better future…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Structural principles to improve writing
Structural principles to improve writing, as laid out in the book, place pivotal emphasis on the importance of a well-structured narrative. It suggests that the clarity and flow of your writing can be significantly improved by concise structuring. This means every sentence, paragraph, and chapter should serve a purpose and contribute towards advancing your central thesis or storyline. Any extraneous elements that don’t contribute to this should be meticulously eliminated…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
The necessity of professional editing
The necessity of professional editing is emphasized as a critical step in the writing process. The book underscores the importance of an objective, trained eye to catch not only typographical and grammatical errors but also content inconsistencies, unclear messaging, and poor structure. A professional editor brings a fresh perspective, helping to identify areas of improvement that the author, having been deeply involved in the creation process, might have overlooked…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Understanding your audience
Understanding your audience is about being aware of who you’re speaking to and crafting your message to suit them. It’s about stepping into their shoes and seeing the world from their perspective. This means understanding their needs, wants, fears, hopes, and dreams. It means being aware of their cultural background, their socio-economic status, and their personal beliefs and biases. You need to know what motivates them, what bores them, what excites them, and what offends them…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
The value of practice and perseverance
In the realm of writing, the notion of practice and perseverance is exemplified as a crucial aspect. This concept isn’t merely about writing continuously but also involves the persistent nurturing of one’s skills, techniques, and understanding of the art of writing. It’s about sharpening one’s ability to weave narratives, characters, and plots that engage readers, and more importantly, it’s about honing the capacity to articulate thoughts and emotions in a manner that resonates with the audience…Read&Listen More