WRITING WEDNESDAYS
“Help!”
By Steven Pressfield | Published: February 17, 2010
Friends of Writing Wednesdays, I’d like to ask for your wisdom and feedback. I’m taking a little survey, and you can be of real assistance to me if you’d answer, in the Comments section below, some of the questions I’d like to pose to you. (It’ll be my pleasure to send a signed copy of The War of Art to the half dozen commentators whose advice is most helpful.)
The original "silver bullet" hardcover from Rugged Land Books
Here’s the issue. I’m thinking about writing a follow-up to The War of Art. Sort of a War of Art 2.0. Some things I’d like to know from your perspective are:
1) Would you be interested in such a book? (Tell the brutal truth; don’t be kind.) Would you consider buying it?
2) In what ways would such a book be most helpful to you? As a motivational aid? A kick in the butt? For further insights on Resistance? On professionalism? Something else?
I have my own ideas on these issues, but it would help me a lot to hear what you think.
3) If War of Art 2.0 could be exactly what you want, what would it be? If it had three main sections, what would they be? If the book could deliver a specific feeling as you closed the final page, what would that feeling be?
Would it be like the original War of Art or would it be different? In what ways?
5) Does it matter to you if the book comes out in hardcover? (It doesn’t to me.) Would paperback be just as good? What if it was released as an eBook that you had to download and print out–is that worthwhile or a pain in the butt?
I’m thinking of constructing the book so that it could be read on an iPad–in other words, including video or links along with the text. If you were reading it on an iPad or other such device, what type of videos would you like to see included?
How about personal stuff? When I write, in Writing Wednesdays, of various personal struggles and challenges that I’m dealing with, is that helpful to you or does it get in the way?
Thanks, you guys. I hate surveys as much as the next man, so I appreciate anyone who takes even a couple of minutes to respond to this.
And anybody under thirty who has some brilliant web-based marketing strategies … I’m all ears!
Back to real Writing Wednesdays next week. Thanks!
Dear Mr Pressfield
To answer the question should there be another book stemming from the War of Art? The answer is a strong yes. My evidence and conclusion are based on a number of beliefs that requir no evidence, in my view. They are:
1. The humility you have shown by asking if another book should exist.
2. The gift you have already provided to many I’m your clarity, responsiveness and respect to something larger than yourself.
3. With all due respect you have noright to say no to another book because it is not yours in the first place. It is, like the War of Art, another gift given to
Humanity streaming through you.
It was not my intention to be so
Phylosophical, but sometimes the extraordianary cannot and should not require any explanations.
With kind regards
Jasvir Samrai
An individual who has been entrichef by what you have had to offer.
Dear Steven,
I can’t resist your invitation so here are my thoughts and comments.
I think the most important thing is the intention behind any project. Lots of “follow up projects” e.g. movie films fail to live up to the original e.g. in music its called the “Second Album Syndrom” (which statistically do worse than the debut album).
I loved your debut book and I think the way to make the follow up a success is to add another dimension to it. To answer your first question, absolutely would I be interested in such a book. I have always viewed your Writing Wednesday blog as the follow up and as a way of staying connected to the core message of that book. If I could add anything to this book it would be comments from other successful people e.g. Fashion designers who have to put on a new collection for each season. Script Writers who have been commissioned to write e. g. a film adaptation. In short successful people who had their lucky break. In sharp contrast you could ask aspiring artists and then draw comparisons. What are successful people doing that aspiring people are not but ought to do. I think real practical examples would make fascinating reading.
To answer your 2nd question: for me reading a follow up book would be motivational and further insights to resistance (which would obviously include the great distraction opportunity the Internet / emails / social networking sites provide). My three sections would be: 1) what successful people are doing 2) what aspiring people don’t do (that should include interviews from editors who read book transcripts, film production companies who read potential scripts. Ask them the big question: their top 10 reasons why scripts, demos, other pitches are turned down. (e.g. is it all about connections or is it about talent or do you need both or any other magic combination). Having read your 2nd book I’d like to feel inspired, confident that what I am doing will eventually help me to break through and motivated. To answer your question 5 (somehow you left 4 out): I don’t mind if its in paperback but I am not a fan of e-books and that’s because I make notes in all my books, I underline important passages that I re-read. I think a combination of paperback and digital would work e.g. have a code in the back of the book that gives online access to listen to interviews from people. I’d also love to listen to success stories. Don’t use iPads and probably never will (sorry).
Love personal stuff. It makes it real cause lets face it we all struggle with something. It takes away your fear cause if you know that someone else has been able to move through struggle there is no excuse you can’t do the same for yourself.
I hope you find this useful.
Best regards,
Annette
I would buy it sight unseen, even before it was published if you wanted to get a number of people to commit to it before you wrote it. I could probably rally a number of my musician friends to do likewise as well (though you won’t hear from them here because most of them aren’t tech savvy enough to subscribe to RSS feeds to keep up with blogs!)
The War of Art made a huge difference in my life and in that of many of my friends. I find it complete in itself, but I would certainly welcome any further insights you could provide on Resistance and professionalism (or emotional labor, as Seth Godin calls it). The personal stories are very helpful in demonstrating that no one is immune to Resistance, regardless of their achievements.
I am over 40, so I prefer a real book rather than having to print it out, and I much prefer paperbacks, they take up less room, can easily be carried in my bag. An electronic version as a supplement, perhaps sold together with the book would be nice.
I personally could do without videos (but again, a 20-something year old may feel differently about it!) and would enjoy just having audio soundbites, much like the short chapters in the original, that I could listen to on my iPod for a boost whenever necessary.
The problem of books is that we are full of insight and resolve while we are reading them and right afterwards and then Resistance sneaks in again and makes us forget.
Perhaps an autoresopnder that would deliver small chapters or reminders via RSS or email would be nice as a supplement as well.
I would want to come away from the book feeling ready to do the work, feeling like I am worthy to do the work.
As for marketing strategies, I suggest you talk with Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk, Tim Ferriss, and Chris Brogan. They have all been very successful in using alternative marketing strategies for their books.
With great respect and gratitude for your work,
Annabel
1. Yes, of course.
2. For all that reasons, but the first is about the Muse.
3. Maybe could say more about the resistence in our fantasy, ignorance, and illusions. Maybe with comments on ethic and spiritual life. The feeling I would like is that life is big, that we are nothing without the Mystery. I don’t think the book must be different of the first.
4. 5. It doesn’t matter to me about the hardcover, paper, etc. It would be great as an eBook too. Maybe videos of people working together. About your personal stuff, please go on.
Thank you for invite us to comment.
All my best.
Marcelo Augusto
São Paulo – Brazil
1. Yes! Most definitely.
2. As further insights on resistance, as a wonderful read and simply reading something that is well written and talks to me.
3. I don’t want to it be something I could imagine I wanted. If I did I would write it myself
The specific feeling would be the feeling of freedom and boundless possibilities.
5. Any format will work for me. Print is no problem.
Ipad would be an interesting experiment, but I have to confess I’m a sucker for paper
Kind regards,
Michael Arnoldus
1) Absolutely. War of Art has been such a huge inspiration to me and those around me.
2) The first book was a kick in the butt, hands down. I think if you were to write a follow up, it too should be a kick in the butt, but should also build upon the foundation you set up in the first book. I think the first book was useful to me when I’m working alone; perhaps a focus for the second book could be working with others. Not necessarily teamwork/collaboration, but the idea of receiving feedback, when to use it or disregard it, etc. So, first book: Kick in the butt. Second book: the value of your critics and how to efficiently produce with them in mind. Maybe. Though, I would read the book even if it were just an extension of what you wrote previously.
3) Three main sections: A- Building upon the foundation of the first book, extension of sorts. B-Working with Feedback and Criticism (and if it matters) C-Greater Purpose of your efforts as an artist. When I close the book, I want to feel as if I am producing my work in order to change the world. It’s so easy to get caught up in “yeah, I made something cool, but only a few people care about it. Is it even worth spending time on this?”
4) I think the style of writing should be similar to the first book, for sure. That was the best part about it. So common-sensical, yet thought-provoking. Urgent but not frantic. Relevant without being preachy. In terms of the content, it should fall along the same lines but I definitely think it should add a new dimension of being self-aware. I know a lot of the lessons in the War of Art were getting beyond this self-awareness and I don’t think you should contradict yourself, but since your audience DOES interact with your work, it’d be nice to hear a little more about how to deal with that.
5) I dislike eBooks. Hardcover is annoying. Paperback is the best. I’d still buy the book if it was hardcover, but I probably wouldn’t bring it out on a train or something.
Marketing Strategies: The way you’re approaching this project right now proves that you’re on the right track. Engaging those who want to hear from you is always important. If you’re going to utilize social media, I believe it’s important to find a medium that works for you and that you’re comfortable with. If you’re asking me what I’d like to see personally? Videoblogs and podcasts. Profiles of people who you think we could learn a thing or two from. Quick riffs about creativity. Q&A (I know that you do some of this, but it would be cool to see you in a web conference type of setting).
And definitely a book tour.
I gave The War of Art to my girlfriend’s father who is a fantastic artist and he described it as life changing. Not just him, this has happened with anyone who I’ve recommended the book to. I enjoy the satisfaction of giving your gift over and over again. I’m sure it will be the same story for whatever book you do next. I’m thankful for your work. Good luck!
I hope you find my comments helpful, as I have found your writing.
1) As I have only recently discovered your work I have not yet read The War of Art – but, regardless, I would have to see if the content of a followup book is different enough, providing new insights and not simply an upgrade. If it turns out to be a rehash with a few new features I’m more likely to stick with the original.
2) From what I know of the first book, and your writings here, I think another book on resistance would not be appealing; except, perhaps, as a small segment with new insights on the matter. I think a subject that would naturally follow a book on being creative would be one on getting ‘published’. Not just in words but other forms of art as well, once the work is created getting into the hands of the audience. This endeavor requires resistance but in a different way than the creative process, so the theme of resistance should be included and drive the way the subject is treated.
3) The book would be motivational in the final leg of the artistic process, getting art to its audience. I have to say I’m not sure what three sections might look like. I suppose ‘Finding a publisher‘, ‘Advertising‘ and ‘What to do after getting published‘ might work as a rough start. I don’t think motivation would be necessary initially, every artist wants an audience, but it will be necessary to encourage people to keep at it. As for the overall feeling when finishing the book, there should be a sense of accomplishment and some finality.
4) I can’t say how it would be different, again, not having read the original yet. I imagine the tone would be similar, as a continuation. Obviously the subject matter would be different enough to get you audience to buy it.
5) I wouldn’t care whether there was hardcover, but I would love to see an electronic version as well as print. I know others won’t want an ebook, print will never die, but I would certainly go for one because they are easier to navigate.
1. I would be interested an buy it. For sure.
2. It would be useful to me in the same way the first book was. As a refresher on motivation. To remind myself that I am not the only one that suffers in the creative process. The more valuable the item you are creating, the more the resistance. I’ve used the first edition as gifts to my creative friends. I bought ten copies and gave them all away. The recipients were always amazed at the book.
3. Maybe revisit what was in the first edition, and update the content with what you know now, as opposed to what you knew when you first wrote it. Also I think it would be nice to have a section of a dialogue between you and your readers about the book, or questions from your readers about the book.
4 (5?). Format does not matter to me. I do read Kindle books on my kindle and iphone. Hardcover is a relic of the past. I still read paper books, but don’t feel like paying a premium for hardcover. Those days are over. I like paper books less each day. I look at my bookshelves of paper books and think that idea is quaint. The future of my book purchases will not take up space, just digital space. I like the video idea. Videos of people who have read the book, and interview about THEIR creative process might be interesting.
5.
1. Yes, I will buy it.
2. I will use it as a motivational tool. I keep my current version in the door pocket of my car. I’m a Suburban Mom, and I pull it out and read when I have to wait on someone or something. Plus, I see it there each time I open the door, a reminder to “carry on”.
3. I would want the the text pared to brief and meaningful spoonfuls. I like that the current version can be opened to any page, at any time, to deliver a dose of tonic.
4. I would like the paper to be higher quality, to resist crinkly decay.
5. I would NOT download and print an e-book.
Have you thought of narrating an audiobook?
Or composing a Page-a-Day calendar?
Absolutely do another book!!!
First, I am not the least bit artistic – can’t write, draw, or play music. I have been in business my whole life – started getting a paycheck at 14 and your principles apply in the business realm as well.I have owned a couple of businesses and worked in mid-management at three Fortune 100 companies.
The War of Art is great internal motivation about getting up, working hard, and doing something to overcome the resistance. I am very interested in your ideas on the external side. The appearance of luck or fate. The break that requires someone else.
It seems that every success has some kind of break – a certain person, a team of previous unknowns coming together, a small business that gets a huge contract. Is it the law of attraction? I know some people will say talent creates its own luck, but I am not so sure. I grew up in Nashville and knew many aspiring country artists. Some of the unknown – never made its – had more talent than some of the stars. They worked just as hard but never seemed to get the right door opened for them. I know many failed people that worked hard everyday. What about the fate?/
I am old school and would love paperback – can’t concentrate on more than a page on a screen for some reason.