with book writing, I try to make sure I have a strong point of view on everything I'm doing. It's the work I care about most and least willing to compromise. Some principles I embrace.
1. The aim of my writing is never to make money. If there are opportunities, I will pay attention, but it is never the direct aim. I obsessively focus on other funding mechanisms such that I don't have to worry much about how to monetize writing.
2. I write for readers like me. I dislike a lot of the current trends in books. I think they dumb down the books too much:
- Intros that tell you what to "expect" and how to use the book as a sort of playbook
- Summaries after each chapter that tell you what to think
Generally, I want to write for people that want to think on their own. I assume my reader is smart. I assume they will:
- google stuff they don't understand
- enjoy subtle easter eggs for interesting thinkers
- like something that is a little wabi-sabi
3. I want to let the completely raw and honest version of what I actually think and do in my life in my work. If no one disagreed or critiqued my message it would be a tragedy. Because I'd be trying to fit in, not releasing myself to the work itself. I know who I'm not writing for and I playfully ignore their critiques and never address them directly. I only talk to the people I want to reach (basically former self)
4. I don't like all-in launches. They are too risky for me. Risky because I get my fuel from writing, creating and reading. They work and I'm probably going to give up upside and fast starts in my books, BUT...
5. I write the book aiming at something I think will be useful in ten years too. I like writing mostly to my past self, so by doing this I can think about writing something that perhaps has a 20-year timescale.
6. Choose things that delight me. Covers, names, subtitles. I might test them but I ONLY put weight on actual existing readers or reactions from people I know in person. I don't trust the "crowd" - I don't want to write for the crowd. There are institutions dedicated to serving them.
with book writing, I try to make sure I have a strong point of view on everything I'm doing. It's the work I care about most and least willing to compromise. Some principles I embrace. 1. The aim of my writing is never to make money. If there are opportunities, I will pay attention, but it is never the direct aim. I obsessively focus on other funding mechanisms such that I don't have to worry much about how to monetize writing. 2. I write for readers like me. I dislike a lot of the current trends in books. I think they dumb down the books too much: - Intros that tell you what to "expect" and how to use the book as a sort of playbook - Summaries after each chapter that tell you what to think Generally, I want to write for people that want to think on their own. I assume my reader is smart. I assume they will: - google stuff they don't understand - enjoy subtle easter eggs for interesting thinkers - like something that is a little wabi-sabi 3. I want to let the completely raw and honest version of what I actually think and do in my life in my work. If no one disagreed or critiqued my message it would be a tragedy. Because I'd be trying to fit in, not releasing myself to the work itself. I know who I'm not writing for and I playfully ignore their critiques and never address them directly. I only talk to the people I want to reach (basically former self) 4. I don't like all-in launches. They are too risky for me. Risky because I get my fuel from writing, creating and reading. They work and I'm probably going to give up upside and fast starts in my books, BUT... 5. I write the book aiming at something I think will be useful in ten years too. I like writing mostly to my past self, so by doing this I can think about writing something that perhaps has a 20-year timescale. 6. Choose things that delight me. Covers, names, subtitles. I might test them but I ONLY put weight on actual existing readers or reactions from people I know in person. I don't trust the "crowd" - I don't want to write for the crowd. There are institutions dedicated to serving them.
As you're writing, how do you know which thoughts are most valuable? What separates good ideas from bad ones?
My approach is to focus on ideas that are interesting or surprising. These are the ingredients of novelty. Novelty is what keeps readers reading. They tend to be:
My approach is to focus on ideas that are interesting or surprising. These are the ingredients of novelty. Novelty is what keeps readers reading. They tend to be:
- Counter-intuitive
- Counter-narrative
- Shock and awe
- Elegant articulations
Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 2 - Writing First Drafts
An update, 3 years into this next chapter of my career:
3 years ago in May 2021 — after nearly 20 years in traditional tech roles as an engineer and a product manager — I left Stripe to start this 2nd chapter of my career.
I don’t write often enough about this stuff, so here’s an update both for long-time followers and new followers:
- I absolut... See more