Here’s Philip Roth on the subject of beginning a novel:
I don’t know very much [when I start.] I write my way into my knowledge. Then, if I’m lucky, I get a break. That’s why it’s so important to get started. Because however awful starting is—and it is absolutely awful—when you get into it, when you’ve got ten pages, which may take two weeks, then you can build.
Philip Roth
Before I wrote Bagger Vance, I had no idea I was obsessed with issues of identity and self-realization.
Before Gates of Fire, I had no idea I saw life in terms of a battle. These are huge themes in my life, and I never knew either of them till I saw them materialize out of the keyboard.
This is why the artist and entrepreneur have to be brave or stupid. Each has to jump off the cliff of what-he-thinks-he-thinks in order to land with a glorious splat in what-he-really-thinks.
Or, put another way, he has to forget what he thinks is his voice, in order to speak with what really is his voice.
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Through my struggle to do something for that book I’m working on since 2018 or so, I confirmed the fact that there must be a philosopher inside me.
I also confirmed the fact that I don’t create linearly.
I also confirmed that everything that “works” out there in terms of plot, basic themes, symbols, flow of the books, all these are most of the time dangerous and avoidable standarizations that kill real creation or even worse enslave it.
That book ended to be my way of living in a way, and so this is not a book anymore, although it is.
BUT the chair that you say. That chair. ESPECIALLY when there is no linearity.
I wish all of the friends here a great week and Happy Birthday to your fighter lady, Diana.
I’ve had this happen over and over in my own writing. I always thought it was because I didn’t really understand what I was writing about or trying to say when I started.
It’s really great, so helpful to hear that this happens too the very best riders too.
Or if your an artist (the original definition as a painter) you have to keep painting till you find your true voice in paint. It’s very scary at times and gloriously wonderful at the same time.
Both the quote from Philip Roth and your comments on it make so much sense. So many times I start writing, and a week of two later, I throw out my few paragraphs or pages. That’s because once I start writing, as a work my way into the story, I realize that what I am writing about is not what I thought I was going to write about. It just takes a few (many?) hours or pages, or chapters to realize that.
When I write from a prompt (say a line thrown at us in a writing workshop), the story can go so far astray, I wonder where it came from The prompt itself is generally lost as some almost irrelevant detail or discarded entirely. And then when I read the final copy, I can’t even remember why I wrote that in the particular way I did.
Thank you for letting me know that this way of working fits within a very wide range of “normal.” I can now give up my struggle to write a perfect first paragraph., and write what I think might be a way into my story. Just have faith that if I keep going from there, the story and its theme will emerge from the words I commit to writing.
Too many leave this earth with what is inside of them. They never begin to seek what may be. Let us not be one of those people.
It’s been a rough couple of months. Thanks Steve for the boot to the butt and to the encouragement I find here every week to put pen to paper.
So true, Jackie. The real life character and catalyst who inspired my project/book left this earth last week. He never knew what he’d done to me and for me. I must finish it for his legacy and mine. He triggered my “all is lost” moment…
Wish you the courage and fortitude to complete your project Gregory. I lost my Dad in May. It’s been tough to get back into things. Let’s do this together for them, for us, for the world.
Steve,
You have written often about the need to conquer “resistance”, which in many cases is fear. It cannot be overstated how important courage is at all times in the creative process. I saw a Mark Twain quote recently that said, “courage is resistance to fear, mastery oy fear, not absence of fear.” Fear remains all too real. I try to remind myself of my favorite Roman proverb, ” fortis Fortuna adiuvat” Fortune favors the Brave. (It works.)
I’m often afraid of what comes out of my pen, keyboard, and, occasionally, mouth. Where the eff did that come from!? It’s good. It’s scary. Will anyone believe it?
Thank you Steven. And thank you all writers with your comments. These shared experiences are a treasure.
I’m a songwriter/lyricist, not a book writer. But every comment here applies. From all across the globe we seem to experience similar thoughts.
Courage, and allowing ourselves to not know every bit before pen meets paper, is a great freedom. To allow ourselves to dive into our dark and deepest seas and trust that we will indeed discover pearls, is a joyful catalyst.
Hi Nancy, I’m a Songwriter/Lyricist also, and I’ve collected some words of encouragement from various of the Masters in our field. One from “LEONARD COHEN ON LEONARD COHEN”,( ed. Jeff Burger; Chicago Review Press; an A Cappella Book) is one that was by Tom Moon who wrote “Painstaking Effort Pays Off in Leonard Cohen’s “Future”; from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan.4, 1993. The Quote begins: “I’ve only learned one thing writing songs, and that is, if you stay with it long enough, the song will yield. But ‘long enough’ is beyond any reasonable length of what long enough might suggest to you. You might think it’s a few months- it might be a year or two…The work of it seems to be involved with rejecting every version of the song that is too easy…”
There’s more, but I’m not sure I’m allowed space here.
I just completed a session with a group I run for women who love to travel and write. Our topic today was cultivating an authentic voice. And this certainly came up as a truth about writing — that we are always learning and discovering who we are as people and what we value, or what we believe. Journaling, or writing in general, is a lifelong process of removing filters and wondering where certain ideas of ours actually came from — then deciding if we want to keep that idea or not. That’s what make writing so powerful for me.
Good Godness—what STRONG words you put forth today on “Bravery and Stupidity” expressed through the honesty of Philip Roth.
Hitting home the hardest is his idea of launching into the writing journey no matter the difficulty [which he makeks clear is always present] AND on us [or egos] being open to discovery truths not present in the beginning yet laying before us clearly after we make progress on the ‘journey’.
Brother Pressfield, these Writing Wednesday are just the damn-sure best inventions since sliced bread INDEED!
Apologies for the typos. Out of respect for this your Writing Wednesday creative enterprise, next time I will FULLY commit to stronger proof reading INDEED!
Mighty insightful. I have these paid thugs shadowing my work each day and laying claims of being the force behind it with their dark powers. I think the title of your post has spoken.
Very insightful post! I have held an anuual all day writing/publishing seminar for 18 years. Yes, the hardest thing is to get people STARTED. They have such fear.
The process of writing is indeed a journey of inner discovery.
Making the record of that journey into something universal, which others will want to share, is the most important part of the challenge.
Brave or stupid, the Muse is a Goddess, and she gives commands, she does not ask our leave.
Definitely have felt that. There are things I’m afraid of that I know I must acknowledge about what I’m searching for in my stories and about my voice.
I’ve also realized, perceived or imminent death; or at least the knowledge of aging and the fickle nature of time, definitely helps one put things in perspective.
I can either be crushed by the fear of the work not being perfect and take it with me to the grave, or I can write the damn thing warts, blemishes and all.
Perfectionism is for dead bodies in the morgue or six feet under. I will write my way to the truth, even if I stumble through the dark getting there!
Wow, incredibly insightful post and I love everyone else’s comments – particularly the author who said that she always creates an outline but then lets the themes emerge. Thanks for this helpful guidance and the encouragement to endure really terrible first ten pages! Yay!
And so…. I painted today. I played Joni’s’ “Blue”. I cried some, maybe a lot, but I kept going. My mind and heart kept filing through everything that might make me whole and everything that doesn’t. All the while, I kept saying to Denny, my husband, who passed 4/4/33… SEE ME DENNY! Ohh, I’m trying! I’m painting !
This post is late, probably no one will recognize my sorrow, mixed with my efforts to connect with my own soul, to make sense of it all. And I guess my length of longing will continue to find Denny too.
🍃🌸🍃
🍃🌸🍃
It makes me think about how important it is to take risks in writing, even if it seems foolish at times. After all, some of the best ideas come from taking a leap of faith.
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I found your post “Be Brave or Be Stupid” incredibly insightful, especially the way you describe the necessity of diving into the unknown to discover one’s true voice. Philip Roth’s approach to writing and your own experiences with identity and self-realization are powerful. Could you please consider submitting this post to A2Bookmarks UK? It would be a valuable addition to our platform, offering inspiration and guidance to our community.
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Simply, brilliant insight into the mystical nature of the writer’s psyche!
Thank you very much dear Steve.
Through my struggle to do something for that book I’m working on since 2018 or so, I confirmed the fact that there must be a philosopher inside me.
I also confirmed the fact that I don’t create linearly.
I also confirmed that everything that “works” out there in terms of plot, basic themes, symbols, flow of the books, all these are most of the time dangerous and avoidable standarizations that kill real creation or even worse enslave it.
That book ended to be my way of living in a way, and so this is not a book anymore, although it is.
BUT the chair that you say. That chair. ESPECIALLY when there is no linearity.
I wish all of the friends here a great week and Happy Birthday to your fighter lady, Diana.
I’ve had this happen over and over in my own writing. I always thought it was because I didn’t really understand what I was writing about or trying to say when I started.
It’s really great, so helpful to hear that this happens too the very best riders too.
Thank you for the affirmation and inspiration.
So true! I always plan my books but the themes and deep concerns reveal themselves once the actual writing starts.
Or if your an artist (the original definition as a painter) you have to keep painting till you find your true voice in paint. It’s very scary at times and gloriously wonderful at the same time.
So true Deborah. And sometimes it takes quite a stack of canvas, paper, or whatever your chosen medium.
Only a writer who has been in the trenches could provide such brilliant insight.
Thank you Stephen.
I hit a sticking point with my first book of poetry and your mini-course helped me to identify Resistance and inspired me to turn pro.
Life has a very different flavour now.
Blessings to you brother.
Hi David!
Where can I find that mini-course that you are talking about? Thanks!
Both the quote from Philip Roth and your comments on it make so much sense. So many times I start writing, and a week of two later, I throw out my few paragraphs or pages. That’s because once I start writing, as a work my way into the story, I realize that what I am writing about is not what I thought I was going to write about. It just takes a few (many?) hours or pages, or chapters to realize that.
When I write from a prompt (say a line thrown at us in a writing workshop), the story can go so far astray, I wonder where it came from The prompt itself is generally lost as some almost irrelevant detail or discarded entirely. And then when I read the final copy, I can’t even remember why I wrote that in the particular way I did.
Thank you for letting me know that this way of working fits within a very wide range of “normal.” I can now give up my struggle to write a perfect first paragraph., and write what I think might be a way into my story. Just have faith that if I keep going from there, the story and its theme will emerge from the words I commit to writing.
Too many leave this earth with what is inside of them. They never begin to seek what may be. Let us not be one of those people.
It’s been a rough couple of months. Thanks Steve for the boot to the butt and to the encouragement I find here every week to put pen to paper.
I am so in awe of this post that I’m going to save it.
Thank you for these weekly messages of inspiration!
So true, Jackie. The real life character and catalyst who inspired my project/book left this earth last week. He never knew what he’d done to me and for me. I must finish it for his legacy and mine. He triggered my “all is lost” moment…
Wish you the courage and fortitude to complete your project Gregory. I lost my Dad in May. It’s been tough to get back into things. Let’s do this together for them, for us, for the world.
Thank you for sharing this Gregory. My thoughts are with you. There is a beautiful catalyst within your sorrow. Take care.
Delightfully terse truth! Thank you. I love it.
Steve,
You have written often about the need to conquer “resistance”, which in many cases is fear. It cannot be overstated how important courage is at all times in the creative process. I saw a Mark Twain quote recently that said, “courage is resistance to fear, mastery oy fear, not absence of fear.” Fear remains all too real. I try to remind myself of my favorite Roman proverb, ” fortis Fortuna adiuvat” Fortune favors the Brave. (It works.)
I’m often afraid of what comes out of my pen, keyboard, and, occasionally, mouth. Where the eff did that come from!? It’s good. It’s scary. Will anyone believe it?
Thank you Steven. And thank you all writers with your comments. These shared experiences are a treasure.
I’m a songwriter/lyricist, not a book writer. But every comment here applies. From all across the globe we seem to experience similar thoughts.
Courage, and allowing ourselves to not know every bit before pen meets paper, is a great freedom. To allow ourselves to dive into our dark and deepest seas and trust that we will indeed discover pearls, is a joyful catalyst.
Hi Nancy, I’m a Songwriter/Lyricist also, and I’ve collected some words of encouragement from various of the Masters in our field. One from “LEONARD COHEN ON LEONARD COHEN”,( ed. Jeff Burger; Chicago Review Press; an A Cappella Book) is one that was by Tom Moon who wrote “Painstaking Effort Pays Off in Leonard Cohen’s “Future”; from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan.4, 1993. The Quote begins: “I’ve only learned one thing writing songs, and that is, if you stay with it long enough, the song will yield. But ‘long enough’ is beyond any reasonable length of what long enough might suggest to you. You might think it’s a few months- it might be a year or two…The work of it seems to be involved with rejecting every version of the song that is too easy…”
There’s more, but I’m not sure I’m allowed space here.
Brilliant stuff, thank you, Steven!
Today’s post by Steve has led me to see that the plunge-in early draft may fall into the category of “necessary losses”.
I read this post. it was amazing
I just completed a session with a group I run for women who love to travel and write. Our topic today was cultivating an authentic voice. And this certainly came up as a truth about writing — that we are always learning and discovering who we are as people and what we value, or what we believe. Journaling, or writing in general, is a lifelong process of removing filters and wondering where certain ideas of ours actually came from — then deciding if we want to keep that idea or not. That’s what make writing so powerful for me.
Good Godness—what STRONG words you put forth today on “Bravery and Stupidity” expressed through the honesty of Philip Roth.
Hitting home the hardest is his idea of launching into the writing journey no matter the difficulty [which he makeks clear is always present] AND on us [or egos] being open to discovery truths not present in the beginning yet laying before us clearly after we make progress on the ‘journey’.
Brother Pressfield, these Writing Wednesday are just the damn-sure best inventions since sliced bread INDEED!
Apologies for the typos. Out of respect for this your Writing Wednesday creative enterprise, next time I will FULLY commit to stronger proof reading INDEED!
Mighty insightful. I have these paid thugs shadowing my work each day and laying claims of being the force behind it with their dark powers. I think the title of your post has spoken.
Sage advice to read is one thing to learn is another
wisdom comes when we learn and practice
Very insightful post! I have held an anuual all day writing/publishing seminar for 18 years. Yes, the hardest thing is to get people STARTED. They have such fear.
The process of writing is indeed a journey of inner discovery.
Making the record of that journey into something universal, which others will want to share, is the most important part of the challenge.
Brave or stupid, the Muse is a Goddess, and she gives commands, she does not ask our leave.
I’ve got the second part nailed.
I wanted to pass on to you all the words I just read.
Celebrate your successes and failures; both required great courage.
Steve,
This.
Is.
Great!
Definitely have felt that. There are things I’m afraid of that I know I must acknowledge about what I’m searching for in my stories and about my voice.
I’ve also realized, perceived or imminent death; or at least the knowledge of aging and the fickle nature of time, definitely helps one put things in perspective.
I can either be crushed by the fear of the work not being perfect and take it with me to the grave, or I can write the damn thing warts, blemishes and all.
Perfectionism is for dead bodies in the morgue or six feet under. I will write my way to the truth, even if I stumble through the dark getting there!
Wow, incredibly insightful post and I love everyone else’s comments – particularly the author who said that she always creates an outline but then lets the themes emerge. Thanks for this helpful guidance and the encouragement to endure really terrible first ten pages! Yay!
And so…. I painted today. I played Joni’s’ “Blue”. I cried some, maybe a lot, but I kept going. My mind and heart kept filing through everything that might make me whole and everything that doesn’t. All the while, I kept saying to Denny, my husband, who passed 4/4/33… SEE ME DENNY! Ohh, I’m trying! I’m painting !
This post is late, probably no one will recognize my sorrow, mixed with my efforts to connect with my own soul, to make sense of it all. And I guess my length of longing will continue to find Denny too.
🍃🌸🍃
🍃🌸🍃
We do art for various reasons. .
Typo.. Denny took his last BREATH 4/4/22 as I held him.
It makes me think about how important it is to take risks in writing, even if it seems foolish at times. After all, some of the best ideas come from taking a leap of faith.
This is so true, thank you for the reminder. I needed this today
Bless U
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As always, Steve, so helpful! So true.
I found your post “Be Brave or Be Stupid” incredibly insightful, especially the way you describe the necessity of diving into the unknown to discover one’s true voice. Philip Roth’s approach to writing and your own experiences with identity and self-realization are powerful. Could you please consider submitting this post to A2Bookmarks UK? It would be a valuable addition to our platform, offering inspiration and guidance to our community.
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