Michael Lewis on the Crafts of Writing, Friendship, and More | The Tim Ferriss Show

TL;DR

Michael Lewis discusses his writing process, ambition, and the duty he feels towards his material.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 💠 Feedback from editors like Michael Kinsley can be instrumental in shaping a writer's craft through blunt and honest critiques.
• 🥺 Self-satisfaction and duty to the material are driving forces for Michael Lewis, leading him to pursue stories that resonate with his core values.
• 👻 Productive laziness can serve as a filter for determining which projects are worth pursuing, allowing space for meaningful stories to emerge.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Michael Lewis' father influence his storytelling abilities?

Michael Lewis credits his father's captivating storytelling style and editing of his school papers for instilling a love for good writing and storytelling from a young age.

Q: What was Michael Lewis's experience with Michael Kinsley as an editor?

Michael Kinsley's brutally honest feedback helped shape Michael Lewis's writing style and encouraged him to push boundaries and improve his craft.

Q: What led Michael Lewis to leave his high-paying job to pursue a $40,000 book advance?

Michael Lewis's desire for self-satisfaction and a deeper sense of purpose in his work prompted him to take a risk and pursue writing as a career.

Q: How does Michael Lewis approach finding stories worth telling?

Michael Lewis follows a gut feeling of obligation and duty to material, choosing stories that resonate deeply with him and feel like they must be shared, rather than chasing commercial success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Lewis reflects on his writing journey, starting with humorously plagiarizing in school to pursuing a career in writing without a formal background.

• He shares insights from his experiences, like the need for honest feedback from editors and how setbacks can lead to growth.

• Lewis embraces a productive laziness that allows him to wait for stories that truly resonate and obligation to material that he feels compelled to write.