Time stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:40 Descriptive writing 00:10:00 Pacing of a novel 00:12:45 Premise of a novel 00:13:30 A Gentleman in Moscow 00:22:55 Trope of artists and writers 00:27:10 Career advice 00:29:30 What makes good descriptiveness 00:38:20 Writing class 00:45:00 Consuming and Deconstructing 00:48:35 Editing drafts and getting feedback 00:51:00 Admired writers 01:00:10 Manifestos 01:03:30 "Opening for doors" 01:05:15 Short stories - - Here's a list of 16 lessons I learned from him about writing: 1. Write a selfish, unregulated first draft. Go on as many tangents and digressions as you want. Give your heart free rein. Satisfy all your whims. 2. People think there’s a trade-off between systematic outlines and inspired work. But Amor uses the former to unlock the latter. Amor plans, designs, and outlines only to free up his “dream-oriented, poetic side.” 3. Amor doesn’t even start writing until he can visualize the scenes “in great detail,” but even then, he discovers much during the actual writing that was “hidden” to him. 4. Solve analytical and logical questions beforehand so the subconscious can tinker more freely in the writing hour. 5. Fulfill your covenant to the reader in the second draft. Cut out the redundancies. 6. Without the selfish draft, your work won’t be truly unique. Without the covenant draft, the reader will sense your indifference for them. To produce unique work that’s universally accessible, you need both the drafts. 7. Tune your ears to pick up interesting language. Biologists have a different vocabulary than economists. So do the French and the Chinese. Hear some interesting slang, an acronym, or a fresh idiom? Capture it. 8. History is not good at capturing all that is great. Many great symphonies have been lost. But history is very good at discarding all that is mediocre. For this reason, Amor mostly reads dead writers in his reading club. 9. Amor only executes projects that he has dwelled on for long-or rather which have dwelled on him for long. 10. Widen your sources of inspiration. Amor’s Rules of Civility came out in 2011…but it was inspired by an art exhibition from the 1960s, containing photographs taken in the 1930s. Sometimes the muse takes a long winding road… 11. Amor likes to know what he’s going to be working on “tomorrow” before tomorrow comes. He ends the day with some “quick sketches” so he doesn’t have to overcome the dread of the blank page everyday. 12. Amor Towles doesn’t want to preach some “essential message” via his books. Instead, he creates a “richness of images, ideas, and personalities” that prompt different responses in different people. 13. Inspiration is what comes when you’re at your desk. Amor knows many heavy-hitters of contemporary literature, and most of them clock in every morning and work the same hours. The myth of the wild artist working strange hours is just that-a myth. Those who wait for inspiration never make any progress. 14. Descriptive writing should be sharp enough to situate the reader, and concise enough to not bog them down. 15. While editing, try to hear the words a little differently. Ask: What would someone with lesser context and attention than you make of it? How about someone younger, or older? 16. Master the elements of craft through repetition. Practice matters more than everything else.
He's certainly one of the best! He has given me great pleasure with his writings. May he live in health and happiness to produce even more wonderful creations. Some of his best and most intelligent characters are female, something I appreciate greatly. Katey Kontent, for instance. Towles is engaging and generous when being interviewed, just as he is generous and respectful to his readers and writes for their entertainment and benefit.
Towles' focus on fulfilling his covenant with readers really resonates. Entrepreneurs can learn from this by ensuring their products solve real problems for their customers. It's like writing a novel; your business should tell a story where the customer is the hero.
Chapeau! You could easily drive me to a site or newsletter sign up for access to your numbered summary in pdf form. Fyi. Keep up the great work. Perhaps one day I'll get to be a guest 😊
A transcript would also be helpful. This inspiring and insightful interview is a fabulous resource for aspiring writers everywhere. Thank you for posting it, David.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *📝 Descriptive writing aims to immerse readers in the experience, making them feel present in the moment.* 04:00 *🖊️ Different societal contexts and settings influence vocabulary and language use in literature.* 08:09 *🏨 Detailed description of settings, balanced between specificity and sparseness, enhances reader immersion.* 10:35 *📝 Effective editing involves assessing pacing and reader engagement, ensuring sections remain compelling.* 13:17 *📓 Outlining and planning extensively before writing helps liberate the creative, poetic aspects of the writing process.* 17:13 *🧠 Thorough planning allows the writer to engage the subconscious, poetic side of the brain during the writing process, fostering creative expression and surprises.* 18:39 *📝 Symbolism in writing often arises from understanding the narrator's perspective and consciousness, as seen in "A Gentleman in Moscow," where the narrative voice closely aligns with the protagonist's inner thoughts and feelings.* 20:01 *💡 Detailed passages in writing often stem from immersing oneself in the character's persona, understanding their preferences, personality, and background, leading to authentic and vivid storytelling.* 23:00 *🖋️ The trope of the "crazy artist" stems from historical romantic ideals and exaggerated portrayals of suffering artists, but in reality, artists come in various personalities and temperaments, with many successful ones leading disciplined, structured lives.* 26:45 *🕰️ Successful writers often adhere to a disciplined routine, committing regular time to their craft, understanding that inspiration often arises during dedicated work hours rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.* 28:38 *🔍 Choosing between pursuing art immediately or after other experiences varies for each individual, with considerations including personal fulfillment, career satisfaction, and creative growth.* 30:27 *📚 Effective storytelling involves moving beyond clichés and surface details, focusing on unique perspectives and vivid sensory experiences to bring scenes to life authentically.* 36:01 *🔄 The writing process often involves an initial phase of uninhibited creativity followed by a refining process focused on aligning the narrative with the intended emotional depth, tone, and historical context.* 37:11 *📚 Looking at writing from the reader's perspective means understanding their investment in time and money.* 38:05 *🖊️ Editing involves removing redundancies, clichés, and elements that don't contribute to the story's whole.* 41:38 *📝 Constantly writing stories from different perspectives hones the writer's craft, especially in dialogue and setting.* 43:43 *📖 The malleability of description in writing allows for different interpretations and emotional responses from readers.* 44:55 *🧐 Mastery of writing craft comes through repetition, exploring different perspectives, and constantly approaching writing in new ways.* 51:49 *💡 Reading predominantly from deceased authors ensures a filter for enduring literary quality over time.* 55:47 *📚 Writers often analyze and appreciate writing techniques mid-discussion, focusing on shifts in perspective and fluid narrative constructions.* 57:40 *📝 While not a poet, a novelist's narrative style can possess poetic elements, blurring the lines between prose and poetry.* 01:00:13 *📜 Manifestos, with their assertive energy and concise declarations, can inspire writers and offer a unique language style to adopt.* 01:02:20 *📝 Writing technique often involves managing the balance between prose and poetic elements to engage readers without overwhelming them.* 01:09:16 *🚪 Writers often conceptualize ideas as exploring different rooms in a mansion, with each idea opening up new possibilities and layers for storytelling.* 01:11:21 *🌆 New York City serves as a hub for various passions and professional pursuits, influencing writers with its diversity and energy.* 01:12:59 *🏙️ New York City's diverse culture and status as a hub for various professions create a unique and vibrant atmosphere, attracting young dreamers from different backgrounds.* 01:13:27 *🎭 The mix of aspiring professionals in fields like dance, theater, cuisine, finance, and more contributes to the dynamic and eclectic culture of New York City.* 01:14:04 *🍸 Specific locations in New York, like the King Cole bar in the St. Regis Hotel, capture the essence of the city's diverse and energetic atmosphere, providing inspiration for storytelling.* Made with HARPA AI
Time stamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:40 Descriptive writing
00:10:00 Pacing of a novel
00:12:45 Premise of a novel
00:13:30 A Gentleman in Moscow
00:22:55 Trope of artists and writers
00:27:10 Career advice
00:29:30 What makes good descriptiveness
00:38:20 Writing class
00:45:00 Consuming and Deconstructing
00:48:35 Editing drafts and getting feedback
00:51:00 Admired writers
01:00:10 Manifestos
01:03:30 "Opening for doors"
01:05:15 Short stories
- -
Here's a list of 16 lessons I learned from him about writing:
1. Write a selfish, unregulated first draft. Go on as many tangents and digressions as you want. Give your heart free rein. Satisfy all your whims.
2. People think there’s a trade-off between systematic outlines and inspired work. But Amor uses the former to unlock the latter. Amor plans, designs, and outlines only to free up his “dream-oriented, poetic side.”
3. Amor doesn’t even start writing until he can visualize the scenes “in great detail,” but even then, he discovers much during the actual writing that was “hidden” to him.
4. Solve analytical and logical questions beforehand so the subconscious can tinker more freely in the writing hour.
5. Fulfill your covenant to the reader in the second draft. Cut out the redundancies.
6. Without the selfish draft, your work won’t be truly unique. Without the covenant draft, the reader will sense your indifference for them. To produce unique work that’s universally accessible, you need both the drafts.
7. Tune your ears to pick up interesting language. Biologists have a different vocabulary than economists. So do the French and the Chinese. Hear some interesting slang, an acronym, or a fresh idiom? Capture it.
8. History is not good at capturing all that is great. Many great symphonies have been lost. But history is very good at discarding all that is mediocre. For this reason, Amor mostly reads dead writers in his reading club.
9. Amor only executes projects that he has dwelled on for long-or rather which have dwelled on him for long.
10. Widen your sources of inspiration. Amor’s Rules of Civility came out in 2011…but it was inspired by an art exhibition from the 1960s, containing photographs taken in the 1930s. Sometimes the muse takes a long winding road…
11. Amor likes to know what he’s going to be working on “tomorrow” before tomorrow comes. He ends the day with some “quick sketches” so he doesn’t have to overcome the dread of the blank page everyday.
12. Amor Towles doesn’t want to preach some “essential message” via his books. Instead, he creates a “richness of images, ideas, and personalities” that prompt different responses in different people.
13. Inspiration is what comes when you’re at your desk. Amor knows many heavy-hitters of contemporary literature, and most of them clock in every morning and work the same hours. The myth of the wild artist working strange hours is just that-a myth. Those who wait for inspiration never make any progress.
14. Descriptive writing should be sharp enough to situate the reader, and concise enough to not bog them down.
15. While editing, try to hear the words a little differently. Ask: What would someone with lesser context and attention than you make of it? How about someone younger, or older?
16. Master the elements of craft through repetition. Practice matters more than everything else.
He's certainly one of the best! He has given me great pleasure with his writings. May he live in health and happiness to produce even more wonderful creations. Some of his best and most intelligent characters are female, something I appreciate greatly. Katey Kontent, for instance. Towles is engaging and generous when being interviewed, just as he is generous and respectful to his readers and writes for their entertainment and benefit.
Towles' focus on fulfilling his covenant with readers really resonates. Entrepreneurs can learn from this by ensuring their products solve real problems for their customers. It's like writing a novel; your business should tell a story where the customer is the hero.
An absolutely brilliant writer. All his books are 5 stars!! And must reads!
I just finished AGIM, and it had me hooked from the first page. Instant admiration for Amor.
yes he is my new contempory favorite
Chapeau! You could easily drive me to a site or newsletter sign up for access to your numbered summary in pdf form. Fyi. Keep up the great work. Perhaps one day I'll get to be a guest 😊
A transcript would also be helpful. This inspiring and insightful interview is a fabulous resource for aspiring writers everywhere. Thank you for posting it, David.
One of my favorite authors!
Excited for this - watching it now!
Just wanted to give kudos for great thumbnails! ❤
Brilliant interview. 👏
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 *📝 Descriptive writing aims to immerse readers in the experience, making them feel present in the moment.*
04:00 *🖊️ Different societal contexts and settings influence vocabulary and language use in literature.*
08:09 *🏨 Detailed description of settings, balanced between specificity and sparseness, enhances reader immersion.*
10:35 *📝 Effective editing involves assessing pacing and reader engagement, ensuring sections remain compelling.*
13:17 *📓 Outlining and planning extensively before writing helps liberate the creative, poetic aspects of the writing process.*
17:13 *🧠 Thorough planning allows the writer to engage the subconscious, poetic side of the brain during the writing process, fostering creative expression and surprises.*
18:39 *📝 Symbolism in writing often arises from understanding the narrator's perspective and consciousness, as seen in "A Gentleman in Moscow," where the narrative voice closely aligns with the protagonist's inner thoughts and feelings.*
20:01 *💡 Detailed passages in writing often stem from immersing oneself in the character's persona, understanding their preferences, personality, and background, leading to authentic and vivid storytelling.*
23:00 *🖋️ The trope of the "crazy artist" stems from historical romantic ideals and exaggerated portrayals of suffering artists, but in reality, artists come in various personalities and temperaments, with many successful ones leading disciplined, structured lives.*
26:45 *🕰️ Successful writers often adhere to a disciplined routine, committing regular time to their craft, understanding that inspiration often arises during dedicated work hours rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.*
28:38 *🔍 Choosing between pursuing art immediately or after other experiences varies for each individual, with considerations including personal fulfillment, career satisfaction, and creative growth.*
30:27 *📚 Effective storytelling involves moving beyond clichés and surface details, focusing on unique perspectives and vivid sensory experiences to bring scenes to life authentically.*
36:01 *🔄 The writing process often involves an initial phase of uninhibited creativity followed by a refining process focused on aligning the narrative with the intended emotional depth, tone, and historical context.*
37:11 *📚 Looking at writing from the reader's perspective means understanding their investment in time and money.*
38:05 *🖊️ Editing involves removing redundancies, clichés, and elements that don't contribute to the story's whole.*
41:38 *📝 Constantly writing stories from different perspectives hones the writer's craft, especially in dialogue and setting.*
43:43 *📖 The malleability of description in writing allows for different interpretations and emotional responses from readers.*
44:55 *🧐 Mastery of writing craft comes through repetition, exploring different perspectives, and constantly approaching writing in new ways.*
51:49 *💡 Reading predominantly from deceased authors ensures a filter for enduring literary quality over time.*
55:47 *📚 Writers often analyze and appreciate writing techniques mid-discussion, focusing on shifts in perspective and fluid narrative constructions.*
57:40 *📝 While not a poet, a novelist's narrative style can possess poetic elements, blurring the lines between prose and poetry.*
01:00:13 *📜 Manifestos, with their assertive energy and concise declarations, can inspire writers and offer a unique language style to adopt.*
01:02:20 *📝 Writing technique often involves managing the balance between prose and poetic elements to engage readers without overwhelming them.*
01:09:16 *🚪 Writers often conceptualize ideas as exploring different rooms in a mansion, with each idea opening up new possibilities and layers for storytelling.*
01:11:21 *🌆 New York City serves as a hub for various passions and professional pursuits, influencing writers with its diversity and energy.*
01:12:59 *🏙️ New York City's diverse culture and status as a hub for various professions create a unique and vibrant atmosphere, attracting young dreamers from different backgrounds.*
01:13:27 *🎭 The mix of aspiring professionals in fields like dance, theater, cuisine, finance, and more contributes to the dynamic and eclectic culture of New York City.*
01:14:04 *🍸 Specific locations in New York, like the King Cole bar in the St. Regis Hotel, capture the essence of the city's diverse and energetic atmosphere, providing inspiration for storytelling.*
Made with HARPA AI
Loved everything that was said by Towles some of the interviewer’s stories were too long.
🔥🔥🔥
Wowwww
WHY IS IT ONLY 134 LIKES??????????
Timestamssssss
What an illuminating discussion. Wonderful work, David.
🔥🔥🔥