How To!: Write a Bestseller (Encore)
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3.9 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 22 November 2022
⏱️ 33 minutes
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Summary
Lauren already knows the plot of her bestselling novel—the problem is she hasn't written a word. Paralyzed by self-criticism and an earlier rejection, this former English major has spent years journaling instead of attempting the scary, difficult work of creative writing. On this episode of How To!, we turn to writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner, whose debut novel Fleishman Is in Trouble, was one of the hottest books of the year. Can she help Lauren finally put pen to paper? The first thing Lauren needs to do, Taffy says, is stop journaling, and start writing. And then keep writing: "You can't get to the good sentences if you don't write the bad ones first." Next, find a trusted reader, not a cheerleader, to give you honest feedback. And when doubt begins to creep in again, look at the writers you admire and simply ask, "Why them and not me?"
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode is brought to you by Kraken Pro, with all new trading features and a fully |
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| 0:16.0 | Profits may be subject to capital gains tax and the value of cryptocurrencies can go down |
| 0:19.7 | or up. |
| 0:21.0 | Hey listeners, do you remember that book, Flashtman is in trouble by the writer Taffy |
| 0:26.1 | Brodasar-Akner? |
| 0:27.1 | A few years ago it was a runaway bestseller. |
| 0:30.2 | One of those novels that seemingly everyone was talking about all at once. |
| 0:34.5 | It's been called a maddening, unsettling masterpiece. |
| 0:38.2 | Well now, Flashtman is in trouble is a TV series on Hulu. |
| 0:54.0 | Meanwhile, November is officially national novel writing month. |
| 0:57.8 | So what are you doing? |
| 0:59.2 | Get on it. |
| 1:00.2 | To help you, we thought this was a great time to revisit one of our all time favorite episodes. |
| 1:06.0 | How to write a bestseller with Taffy Brodasar-Akner. |
| 1:09.6 | You will laugh and learn a lot, I promise. |
| 1:12.6 | I'm going to pass the mic back to our previous host Charles Duhig, but we'll be back next |
| 1:16.8 | week with a brand new episode. |
| 1:20.2 | If you are in your 40s like I am and you're a woman, you have earned a head full of stories |
... |
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