Sign Up for "Writing Examples" and Learn From The Best Writing of All Time: https://www.writingexamples.com Neil writes about all the icky, taboo things you’re not supposed to say out loud. As the author of ten New York Times Bestselling books, he’s built his career on getting celebrities like Rick Rubin, Kevin Hart, and Jenna Jameson to open up in a way that most writers are too afraid to do. But don’t get it twisted — “being vulnerable” doesn’t mean “word-vomit your deepest, darkest secrets to the world.” It means sharing who you truly are in a way that’s interesting to other people. In this episode, Neil reveals how to be vulnerable in your work, the right way. He breaks down story structures that hook your reader. He reveals how to cultivate your life to support your writing. And he shows you how to say things in public that most people would be too scared to share with their closest friends. If you’re scared of sharing your work in public, this episode is for you. Come learn how to synthesize your vulnerability in a way that resonates with other people. WRITE OF PASSAGE: Want to learn more about the next class for Write of Passage? https://writeofpassage.com/enroll SPEAKER LINKS: Website: https://www.neilstrauss.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/neilstrauss Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neil_strauss Books: https://www.amazon.com/Neil-Strauss/e/B001H6NT1I Blog: https://www.neilstrauss.com/blog/ PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://writeofpassage.com/how-i-write Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:35 "You can't say that" 00:03:30 Sharing secrets 00:06:00 The public eye 00:07:50 Vulnerable 00:10:25 Critics and haters 00:11:15 Kevin Hart 00:11:55 Vomit drafts 00:17:10 First books 00:17:30 Epiphanies and Eurekas 00:18:40 "To Die For" podcast trailer 00:35:10 Writing worth reading 00:43:00 Trying too hard 00:49:30 Interestingness 00:51:30 Howard Stern 00:56:20 Writing profiles 00:58:50 Observe and notice 01:08:45 Rick Rubin 01:09:30 Editing 01:19:30 Writer's block ABOUT THE HOST: I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. How I Write is a podcast by Write of Passage // Production by Adam Soccolich