How I Write David Perell

“I’m not writing for you.” 
This was Paul’s response to a scathing critique that came early in his writing career. Since then, Paul’s book, The Pathless Path, has sold over 50,000 copies and has spurred thousands of writers to forge their own path forward — scathing critiques and all. 
Writing isn’t about building the biggest readership possible. It’s about connecting with the readers who care. It’s about broadcasting a signal for the kinds of people you want to attract. And in this episode, you’ll learn how to find these people. 
Paul shares his story from corporate cog to free-spirited wanderer, from blogger to author, from intellectual loner to leader of a thousands-strong community. Flow. Space. Surprise. The joy of finding out. These are just a few phrases Paul uses to describe how he writes. 
So, what about you? Who are you writing for? If you’re ready to write with a heart on fire and find the people who care, this episode is for you. 

SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: https://pmillerd.com
Twitter:  https://x.com/p_millerd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathlesspaul
Substack: https://substack.com/@paulmillerd
Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmillerd/
Book: https://amzn.to/4aBxEUZ 

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
https://writeofpassage.com

PODCAST LINKS: 
Website: https://writeofpassage.com/how-i-write
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
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There is an intrinsic interestingness inside of you. But, you’re probably suppressing it. Welcome to 96-minutes of learning how to use your interestingness to stand out online. 
Speaking of standing out, Steph Smith:

Hosts a16z, a top five technology podcast

Taught herself to code and launched multiple websites that hit #1 on Product Hunt

Sold over $220k in her book launch for Doing Content Right


Grew The Hustle’s Trends product to millions

And led HubSpot’s Creator Program.


(Safe to say that she knows what she’s talking about.) And now, Steph reveals everything she’s learned about creating unforgettable work on the Internet. 
Millions of people mirror what you do — your job, hobbies, routines — but how you do it is another story. Come learn how to follow your compass of interestingness and stand out online.

SPEAKER LINKS: 
Website: https://stephsmith.io/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio
Blog: https://blog.stephsmith.io/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesmith93

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
Click here: https://writeofpassage.com

PODCAST LINKS: 
Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
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Writing is thinking, which means it’s like lighter fluid for business growth. 
Brie has played major roles at writing-rich companies like Stripe, and her expertise on writing-first culture is now used by giants like Amazon and Basecamp. 
As she says: “Reality has a surprising amount of detail.” Writing illuminates all the interesting details worth pursuing. And as a result, companies who prioritize writing operate with impressive speed, intention, and rigor. 
In this episode, Brie shares years of hard-won wisdom to expose how great writing sets companies apart. She explores the balance of writing vs. taking action; she breaks down the editing process better than a modern-day Maxwell Perkins; and she sheds light on the secret to great writing: your zone of obsession. 
If you want to learn how to do the best writing of your life, and grow your company while you’re at it, this episode is for you. 

SPEAKER LINKS: 
Website: https://www.briewolfson.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zebriez
Stripe Press: https://press.stripe.com/

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
Click here: https://writeofpassage.com/

PODCAST LINKS: 
Website: https://writeofpassage.com/how-i-write
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Graham is one of the most successful writers and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.
Sure, he sold a company to Yahoo and co-founded Y Combinator, which has created hundreds of billions of dollars in value. But more than that, Paul is a renowned essayist and his thoughts on what makes good writing are worth paying attention to.
So, how has writing led to Paul Graham's success? I've deconstructed 11 of his best lessons and we're going to go through them one by one. Ultimately, you’ll learn the writing secrets behind this mega-successful investor, how he engages and delights his audience, and how you can, too.
Also, if you listen until the end, I have an unreleased goodie in here about what Sam Altman learned from Paul Graham. And I'm not going to share that anywhere else.

LINKS FOR PAUL GRAHAM: 
Website: https://www.paulgraham.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulg
Book: https://www.paulgraham.com/books.html

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
Click here: https://writeofpassage.com/

PODCAST LINKS: 
Website: https://writeofpassage.com/how-i-write
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neil writes about all the icky, taboo things you’re not supposed to say out loud. As the author of ten New York Times Bestselling books, he’s built his career on getting celebrities like Rick Rubin, Kevin Hart, and Jenna Jameson to open up in a way that most writers are too afraid to do. 
But don’t get it twisted — “being vulnerable” doesn’t mean “word-vomit your deepest, darkest secrets to the world.” It means sharing who you truly are in a way that’s interesting to other people. 
In this episode, Neil reveals how to be vulnerable in your work, the right way. He breaks down story structures that hook your reader. He reveals how to cultivate your life to support your writing. And he shows you how to say things in public that most people would be too scared to share with their closest friends. 
If you’re scared of sharing your work in public, this episode is for you. Come learn how to synthesize your vulnerability in a way that resonates with other people.

SPEAKER LINKS: 
Website: https://www.neilstrauss.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/neilstrauss
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neil_strauss
Books: https://www.amazon.com/Neil-Strauss/e/B001H6NT1I

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
Click here: https://writeofpassage.com/enroll

PODCAST LINKS: 
Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year, 25 million people download Shaan’s podcast. Sure, he’s a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and writer, but there’s one skill in particular that keeps Shaan’s audience coming back for more: storytelling. 

And not the kind of storytelling that feels like an IQ contest. (I know you know what I mean.) Shaan tells stories that burst with aliveness, that make readers laugh out loud with joy or fall silent with understanding. And as a result, he’s built more than just a following; he’s built a fandom. 

In this episode, Shaan reveals every framework he knows for telling stories so well they make your reader go, “Wait, how did they do that?”. And I mean, every framework. You won’t find this in the ole’ self-help aisle. Plus, he shows you exactly how to do it. We deconstruct everything from popular movies to business origin stories to viral Twitter threads. 

Stories are the #1 way to grab readers’ attention, get them to like you, and ultimately, turn them into fans. And this episode is a masterclass on how to do it.

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Website & Newsletter: https://www.shaanpuri.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaanVP
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaanpuri

WRITE OF PASSAGE: 
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
Click here: https://writeofpassage.com/

PODCAST LINKS: 
Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices