Words, Not Ideas: How to Write a Book | Mattie Bamman | TEDxSpokane
TEDx Talks・9 minutes read
The speaker shares their journey from a fishing village to a writing career inspired by poet Theodore Enslin, highlighting the challenges of writing and the importance of translating ideas into actual writing. The history of writing is discussed, practical advice on estimating word count and structuring books is given, and a formula for organizing chapters is provided, emphasizing simplicity in creating structure for writing.
Insights
- Theodore Enslin's mentorship played a crucial role in shaping the speaker's career in writing, showcasing the profound impact a mentor can have on an individual's trajectory and passion.
- The process of writing is depicted as a challenging yet essential endeavor, with a focus on converting ideas into tangible written works, underscoring the persistent struggle many writers encounter in completing their projects.
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Recent questions
How did the speaker's neighbor influence their career?
Enslin encouraged the speaker to pursue poetry.
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Summary
00:00
"From Fishing Village to Writing Career"
- The speaker grew up in a fishing village in Maine and was encouraged to pursue poetry by a neighbor, Theodore Enslin, a prolific poet.
- Enslin's influence led the speaker to a career in writing, including poetry, editing, and culinary travel articles.
- Writing is described as a challenging process, with even renowned authors like George Orwell and Philip Roth acknowledging its difficulties.
- The speaker, a developmental editor, emphasizes the importance of translating ideas into actual writing, highlighting the struggle many face in completing a book.
- The history of writing is explored, dating back to Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians who believed in the power of words to bring things to life.
- Practical advice is given on estimating word count for a book, with examples like Cheryl Strayed's "Wild" and "The Four Agreements."
- Structuring a book is compared to stacking firewood, with the importance of fitting main ideas into the allotted space emphasized.
- A formula for structuring book chapters is provided, focusing on introducing a topic, discussing its limitations, and offering a solution, emphasizing the simplicity in creating structure for writing.
