Paul Millerd went to MIT and worked for McKinsey before deciding corporate life wasn’t for him. Then he did what one does: moved to Taiwan without a plan and accidentally wrote a cult classic, The Pathless Path. 11 of his best writing lessons: 1. The best marketing tactic will forever be: write a damn good book. 2. Edit your writing by mumbling it out loud to yourself. 3. Stuck? Stop writing and go for a 3 hour walk. Wander, reflect, tinker…then write. 4. Let's get real... if you're publishing your work, you want people to read it. To say otherwise is cope. As William Zinsser once said: "Writing is an act of ego. Might as well admit it." 5. The best writing often comes as a “download.” As if the muse personally whispered the right words to you. But here’s a prerequisite: You need to write on most days so you're prepared when the muse arrives. 6. Coin new phrases, drop them casually in conversations, and see how people react. The ones where eyes light up? Build your writing around those phrases. 7. Beyond the headlines of dramatic life changes are almost always longer, slower, and more interesting journeys. Write about those. 8. The problem with nonfiction books is the way they regurgitate the same formula of telling a story, backing it up with a research study, and concluding with a short takeaway. The format isn't necessarily bad, but it's overdone. 9. The alternative is to share your story. Open up. Be honest. Share things with the world that you were once afraid to share with yourself. 10. Know who you’re writing for. Paul always knew he wasn’t writing for people thriving on the default path. He was writing for the unconventional weirdos who need a different way…and friends to walk the distance. 11. Writing for a very specific audience means that the haters might hate you (but mostly, they don't care about you).
David, you MUST invite Lawrence Yeo to your podcast!!!!! He is the genius illustrator and storyteller behind the blog MORE TO THAT, which is just the best thing on the Internet. PLEASE PLEASE.
Paul's journey from a corporate cog to a community leader is truly inspiring. For writers looking to connect deeply with their audience, consider leveraging the Pareto Principle; focus on the 20% of your readers who will provide 80% of the engagement and support. This strategy can create a strong, loyal community around your work.
Many thanks for this interview 🙇🏻♀ I have listened to just over half of it thus far and am fascinated. I love the phrase "the joy of finding out" as well, incidentally. I can relate to impatience while writing...each of you is quite an inspiration❣ I am very happy to hear that Paul's wife is in the process of writing a book as well. Very best wishes, Andrea S.
David, I just loved your episode with Morgan Housel. It was so full of practical insights. I am surprised how people haven't found out your channel! May you grow to million subscribers. All the best👍
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Paul Millerd went to MIT and worked for McKinsey before deciding corporate life wasn’t for him. Then he did what one does: moved to Taiwan without a plan and accidentally wrote a cult classic, The Pathless Path.
11 of his best writing lessons:
1. The best marketing tactic will forever be: write a damn good book.
2. Edit your writing by mumbling it out loud to yourself.
3. Stuck? Stop writing and go for a 3 hour walk. Wander, reflect, tinker…then write.
4. Let's get real... if you're publishing your work, you want people to read it. To say otherwise is cope. As William Zinsser once said: "Writing is an act of ego. Might as well admit it."
5. The best writing often comes as a “download.” As if the muse personally whispered the right words to you. But here’s a prerequisite: You need to write on most days so you're prepared when the muse arrives.
6. Coin new phrases, drop them casually in conversations, and see how people react. The ones where eyes light up? Build your writing around those phrases.
7. Beyond the headlines of dramatic life changes are almost always longer, slower, and more interesting journeys. Write about those.
8. The problem with nonfiction books is the way they regurgitate the same formula of telling a story, backing it up with a research study, and concluding with a short takeaway. The format isn't necessarily bad, but it's overdone.
9. The alternative is to share your story. Open up. Be honest. Share things with the world that you were once afraid to share with yourself.
10. Know who you’re writing for. Paul always knew he wasn’t writing for people thriving on the default path. He was writing for the unconventional weirdos who need a different way…and friends to walk the distance.
11. Writing for a very specific audience means that the haters might hate you (but mostly, they don't care about you).
David, you MUST invite Lawrence Yeo to your podcast!!!!! He is the genius illustrator and storyteller behind the blog MORE TO THAT, which is just the best thing on the Internet. PLEASE PLEASE.
I second this. An episode with Lawrence would be fantastic!
Paul's journey from a corporate cog to a community leader is truly inspiring. For writers looking to connect deeply with their audience, consider leveraging the Pareto Principle; focus on the 20% of your readers who will provide 80% of the engagement and support. This strategy can create a strong, loyal community around your work.
Excited for this - always wanted to read Paul's book, so will definitely have to now!
Hope everyone enjoys this episode with Paul!
Thanks Adam!!
Many thanks for this interview 🙇🏻♀ I have listened to just over half of it thus far and am fascinated. I love the phrase "the joy of finding out" as well, incidentally. I can relate to impatience while writing...each of you is quite an inspiration❣ I am very happy to hear that Paul's wife is in the process of writing a book as well. Very best wishes, Andrea S.
this is super good, and very timely for my life atm. thank you!
Thank you!
Don't buy the culture. what a line Paul! well done
David, I just loved your episode with Morgan Housel. It was so full of practical insights. I am surprised how people haven't found out your channel! May you grow to million subscribers. All the best👍
What about this episode 😂 jk. I loved the Morgan ep too
Waiting for Sam Altman episode!