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.
Paul Millerdx.comwith 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.
"They subscribe to your consciousness. So many “experts” will tell you to write for your reader. I think that’s BS. I write for me. And when people enjoy it, it’s a rewarding bonus. I love connecting with my readers, but I am not altering my words for them. I am not writing the things that I think will go viral or resonate with the mainstream.”
-som
... See morePS: I try to make it a point to avoid writing "generic" articles, or rehash old ideas just for the sake of producing content. My philosophy of writing is that I make a real effort to only write things that can only be written by me; things that are unique to my perspective, or at the very least the things that no one else seems to be saying.
Eleanor Konik • 🌲 Takeaways on Efficiency, Passive Learning, & Optimization
If you are writing a Functional Excellence book, can you minimize the timely How To advice and examples that will only be relevant for a few years (if that), and instead focus on the underlying principles of success that will remain relevant for a much longer time horizon? Again: all roads lead back to Insights/Thinking and Personal Development.
Eddie Yoon • Snow Leopard
To create a book that lasts and grows, the formula is simple: do the best job of solving an important problem for a reader who cares, without anchoring yourself to temporary tools, tactics, or trends.
Rob Fitzpatrick • Write Useful Books: A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction
What’s their secret? They focus relentlessly on the quality of their writing and ideas. Because quality never goes out of style. And when you focus on quality, you don’t have to play by the rules of the algorithm at all. You can reject the algorithm altogether and create success in your own way.