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The Secret To A New York Times Best Seller – Tucker Max
28 segments available
How do you know the difference between a banger journal entry and the foundation of a memoir? If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, then this conversation is for you. Tucker is a memoir guru, having sold 5 million copies of his own memoir (“I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”) and millions more of ghostwritten memoirs (for names like Tiffany Haddish and David Goggins). All of Tucker’s expertise can be dwindled down to three words: tell the truth. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. In this episode, you’ll learn everything it takes to write a bestselling memoir: how to tell a great story, how to infuse your work with humor, how to turn your suffering into art, and how to make sure you’re ready to write a memoir in the first place. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to tell the unencumbered truth — the right way. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:26 Why Tucker Writes Memoirs 00:03:37 Memoir Writing as Therapy 00:08:49 Writing Celebrity Memoirs 00:11:30 The Two Kinds of Memoirs 00:14:22 Write a Slice of Your Life Story 00:16:51 Focus, focus, focus 00:20:13 The janitor’s crazy life story 00:22:29 What makes writing funny? 00:26:53 Why some memoirs are bad 00:30:03 Write from your scars, not your wounds 00:33:29 Should you keep a journal? 00:37:54 Anne Frank’s diary 00:41:38 Tucker’s memoir-writing algorithm 00:50:55 What to do when you’re in tears 00:56:01 Writing dialogue 1:00:06 Truth vs. fact vs. fiction 1:01:59 Should you try to be original? 1:04:42 How to title your memoir 1:07:22 Audiobooks for memoirs 1:09:26 David Goggins’ audiobook 1:11:54 Tucker’s #1 rule of memoir writing 1:13:40 How to build a writing habit 1:24:11 Writing your 1st draft 1:25:12 How to write about emotions 1:29:52 Writing an introduction 1:31:44 How to begin a memoir 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 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.
Segments Timeline
The Truth in Memoir Writing
Tucker Max emphasizes the importance of truth in memoir writing, explaining that every person has an interesting story to tell. He discusses how humor can be a vehicle for expressing truth and how vulnerability in storytelling resonates with readers. This segment sets the stage for understanding the core principles of writing a compelling memoir.
"number one rule to writing for myself at least what's the truth how can I actually get real truth colors shapes feelings in the body yeah I've never met a person that didn't have an interesting story ..."
Memoir as a Therapeutic Tool
Tucker shares how writing serves as a therapeutic outlet, allowing individuals to process emotions in a controlled manner. He reflects on his own journey of using humor to navigate feelings and how writing can help uncover deeper truths about oneself. This segment highlights the emotional benefits of memoir writing.
"writing for me was the way to feel emotions in a safe controllable way at the beginning right which is why I wrote humor because that's what jokes are jokes are a way they a way to tell the truth and ..."
The Art of Writing Celebrity Memoirs
In this segment, Tucker discusses the unique challenges of writing memoirs for celebrities. He shares insights on how to extract genuine stories from public figures who often have protective walls around their personal truths. Tucker's experience with Tiffany Haddish exemplifies the power of honesty in storytelling.
"that's what you did that's exactly what I did even though I was totally dissociated and totally messed up emotionally in so many ways I told the truth about it the best I could in the moment right me ..."
Understanding Different Memoir Types
Tucker categorizes memoirs into two types: those focused on personal truth and those aimed at legacy. He explains the motivations behind writing a memoir and the importance of understanding one's purpose before starting. This segment provides clarity on the different approaches to memoir writing.
"book I've ever done who didn't make me sign in IND was T Tiffany hadish and that's the best one I've done and she we I caught her I met her before she really blew up in Hollywood and she kind of came ..."
Crafting a Slice of Life
Tucker advises aspiring memoirists to focus on specific parts of their lives rather than attempting to cover everything. He discusses the significance of selecting a theme or moment that encapsulates broader experiences, making the memoir relatable and impactful. This segment emphasizes the importance of thematic focus in memoir writing.
"Memoir uh you don't have to publish it and in fact for many people they don't need to publish it to get the benefit right like what I don't like to work with the Legacy people nothing wrong with them ..."
The Importance of Focus
In this segment, Tucker stresses the necessity of focus in memoir writing. He encourages writers to hone in on particular experiences or emotions to create a compelling narrative. This advice is crucial for anyone looking to write a memoir that resonates with readers.
"people have a lot of head baggage about like me am I writing a memoir and autobiography and like like the idea a lot of people have this idea autobiography is everything in your life and a memoir is a..."
The Janitor's Crazy Life Story
Tucker shares an anecdote about a janitor with an extraordinary life story, illustrating that everyone has unique experiences worth telling. This segment serves as a reminder that compelling narratives can come from the most unexpected places, reinforcing the idea that memoir writing is accessible to all.
"focused and now your your original question is now easy to answer how do I structure a memoir is easy if you say I'm going to write about the story of write a passage right then it's like oh well it s..."
What Makes Writing Funny?
Tucker explores the elements that contribute to humor in writing, emphasizing that great humor often stems from truth. He discusses how comedians use humor to address serious topics, which can also be applied to memoir writing. This segment delves into the intersection of comedy and storytelling.
"guy seemed like just the most normal downto earth like average dude you could ever imagine and one time we were in the comment room and he was in there and it was like kind of late at night and me and..."
Why Some Memoirs Fail
In this segment, Tucker analyzes the common pitfalls that lead to unsuccessful memoirs. He identifies issues such as lack of authenticity and failure to connect with readers. This discussion provides valuable insights for aspiring memoirists on what to avoid in their writing.
"question um you can always be funny if you're willing to make like point out an absurdity that you recognize right usually that means making fun of yourself right but a lot of people will take that to..."
Writing from Scars, Not Wounds
Tucker advises writers to draw from their scars rather than their wounds when crafting memoirs. He explains that writing about healed experiences allows for deeper reflection and insight, making the narrative more impactful. This segment emphasizes the importance of emotional distance in memoir writing.
"they're not they're not telling the truth they they are covering something dude it's so crazy I've gotten so good at the or so experienced at this authors in my program will say Hey you know do I need..."
The Value of Keeping a Journal
Tucker discusses the benefits of journaling as a practice for self-discovery and emotional processing. He highlights how journaling can serve as a foundation for memoir writing, helping individuals articulate their thoughts and feelings. This segment encourages listeners to consider journaling as a tool for their writing journey.
"saying is actually right from your scars not from your wounds right um it's it's not no you should write about your scars and your wounds but write writing from Imagine you have a cut right and it's b..."
Lessons from Anne Frank's Diary
In this segment, Tucker reflects on the significance of Anne Frank's diary as a powerful example of memoir writing. He discusses how her honest account of life during a tumultuous time resonates with readers and serves as a testament to the enduring power of personal storytelling.
"un unprocessed vomiting that's the place for unpro is your Journal right so if writing helps you bring something up and just bringing it up helps process it [ __ ] yeah do that that's not a blog post ..."
Tucker's Memoir-Writing Algorithm
Tucker shares his personal algorithm for writing a memoir, outlining the steps he believes are essential for crafting a compelling narrative. This segment provides practical advice for aspiring memoirists looking to structure their writing process effectively.
"an Frank's diary that is so good what was she able to access a lot of the the things people tell you about kids aren't true one of the things that tell that everyone tells you that is true is kids don..."
Navigating Emotional Turmoil
Tucker discusses how to handle emotional challenges while writing, including moments of vulnerability and tears. He emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions during the writing process, which can lead to more authentic storytelling.
"put it in their head there's three questions to tell a great story what happened how did you feel what happened next H how did you feel what happened next how did you feel in Memoir this is one of the..."
Mastering Dialogue in Memoirs
In this segment, Tucker provides tips on writing dialogue in memoirs, emphasizing its role in bringing stories to life. He discusses how authentic dialogue can enhance the reader's connection to the narrative and make the memoir more engaging.
"and you're trying to get the stuff out what do you do in that moment do you do you keep going you keep going bro it that is a major gift stay with it as long as you can the the way to you heal trauma ..."
Truth vs. Fact vs. Fiction
Tucker explores the distinctions between truth, fact, and fiction in memoir writing. He discusses how writers can navigate these concepts to create compelling narratives that resonate with readers while remaining authentic to their experiences.
"about writing dialogue and accessing the truth of dialogue because you have this Triad where there's like fact fiction and Truth yeah and I was like wait how are those three different things yeah um w..."
The Quest for Originality
In this segment, Tucker addresses the question of whether memoirists should strive for originality in their writing. He shares his perspective on the balance between personal storytelling and the universal themes that connect readers to memoirs.
"Your Truth my truth what actually happened the truth right I don't believe we as humans have perfect access to the truth now I totally believe that an objective truth can exist I believe humans can do..."
Crafting the Perfect Title
Tucker provides insights on how to choose an effective title for a memoir. He discusses the importance of a title in capturing the essence of the story and attracting readers, offering practical tips for aspiring authors.
"to write an unoriginal Memoir and if you think about the best Memoirs meaning the ones that have impacted the most people that have sold the most that are the most resonant West With the Wind you know..."
The Role of Audiobooks in Memoirs
Tucker discusses the growing popularity of audiobooks for memoirs and how they can enhance the storytelling experience. He shares insights on the unique aspects of audio narration that can bring a memoir to life.
"about that um the most important thing for a title is that it makes you want to look inside H and there's a there's honestly 10 ways to get there right but uh the title especially in the world we live..."
David Goggins' Audiobook Experience
In this segment, Tucker reflects on his experience working on David Goggins' audiobook. He shares insights into the process and the impact of Goggins' story, highlighting the power of personal narratives in audio format.
"do you think about the audio book for Memoirs I would say that actually the audio book is might be more important for the Memoir genre than any other one I think of mcc's book like that book green lig..."
Tucker's #1 Rule of Memoir Writing
Tucker reveals his number one rule for writing a memoir: to tell the truth. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in storytelling, encouraging writers to embrace their genuine experiences.
"he's obviously a brilliant dude but like uh he he sound he reads slowly and kind of like stilted like you know like the kid that you make fun of in class would read like if you're an [ __ ] right um h..."
Building a Writing Habit
Tucker shares strategies for developing a consistent writing habit. He discusses the importance of discipline and routine in the writing process, offering practical tips for aspiring memoirists to stay committed to their craft.
"in our program what we tell people is there's one rule for Memoir there's one rule do what works for you even if we're all trying to get to the peak of the same Memoir Mountain there are an infinite n..."
Navigating the First Draft
In this segment, Tucker discusses the challenges of writing the first draft of a memoir. He shares insights on overcoming self-doubt and the importance of allowing oneself to write freely without judgment during the initial stages.
"should you carve out we we recommend for most people an hour if uh to two hours not more than three because uh even if you have the time um it's almost impossible to be productively creative uh Beyond..."
Writing About Emotions
Tucker emphasizes the significance of writing about emotions in memoirs. He discusses how exploring feelings can deepen the narrative and create a stronger connection with readers, encouraging writers to embrace vulnerability.
"before if you start with a trauma dump it's okay like your first draft is for you right your vomit draft is for you it's for no one else right so it it what that's actually one of the problems if we'r..."
Crafting a Compelling Introduction
Tucker provides tips on how to write an engaging introduction for a memoir. He discusses the importance of setting the tone and capturing the reader's interest from the very beginning, offering practical advice for aspiring authors.
"emotions are inherently non-physical non-tangible things you're describing the impacts of them not the thing right so it makes it hard so we like to start with the most teaching this the most fundamen..."
How to Begin Your Memoir
In the final segment, Tucker shares insights on how to start writing a memoir. He discusses the importance of finding a compelling entry point into the story and encourages writers to embrace their unique voice and perspective.
"introduction it's not to just explain what the entire book is it's actually to keep pitching them to they've already bought the book with their money now they got to do it with their time and that's w..."
The Hook of a Great Introduction
Tucker discusses the significance of a strong introduction in memoir writing. He shares how a compelling first sentence can hook readers immediately, making them eager to continue. This strategy is essential for memoirists to ensure their stories resonate and maintain reader interest.
"[Laughter] [Music] them we shot dogs not by accident we did it on purpose and we called it operation Scooby I'm a dog person so I thought about that a lot are you not in on are you not in on this book..."
Truth and Honesty in Storytelling
Tucker concludes by reiterating the importance of truth and honesty in storytelling. He reflects on how readers are drawn to authentic narratives, regardless of their factual accuracy. This commitment to truth is what ultimately keeps readers engaged and invested in a memoir.
"engaging the first chapter it kind of falls off a little bit towards the end but um I read the whole book I read the whole book because that I was so gripped by that intro and by that first story you ..."