Tim Urban: Stop Procrastinating and Make Your Writing Fun | How I Write Podcast
Jan 3, 2024
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Tim Urban, the author of 'Wait But Why,' shares his journey from dread to delight in writing, boasting over 600,000 newsletter subscribers. He discusses the balance between personal expression and engaging ideas, revealing how authenticity and humor can transform complex thoughts into relatable stories. Urban also dives into the challenges of procrastination, the importance of creativity without pressure, and the art of authentic writing. Plus, he draws fascinating parallels between writing and music composition, emphasizing originality and personal style.
Developing a distinct and personal voice is crucial in writing to avoid derivative and unoriginal content.
Procrastination in writing can be influenced by fear, lack of confidence, and the allure of more enjoyable activities, hindering progress in projects.
Finding a balance between injecting humor and maintaining a serious tone in writing allows for a more enjoyable and engaging experience, showcasing the importance of mood and emotions in conveying the writer's personality.
Deep dives
The importance of personal voice in writing
The podcast episode explores the significance of having a distinct and personal voice in writing. The speaker discusses the value of avoiding derivative writing and finding ways to express oneself authentically. They highlight the importance of confidence in writing and how it can contribute to more engaging and original content.
The struggle with procrastination
The podcast delves into the speaker's experience with procrastination and its impact on productivity. They discuss the various factors that contribute to procrastination, such as fear, lack of confidence, and the allure of more enjoyable activities. The speaker reflects on the challenges procrastination poses and the ways it can hinder progress in writing projects.
Balancing fun and seriousness in writing
The podcast episode explores the balance between injecting humor and maintaining a serious tone in writing. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having fun while writing and allowing one's personality to shine through. They highlight the role of mood and emotions in writing, as well as finding the right moments to incorporate more lighthearted and colloquial language.
The role of confidence and experience in writing
The speaker discusses how confidence and experience play a crucial role in developing one's writing skills. They share personal anecdotes about overcoming challenges and insecurities in writing. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of practice and gaining feedback from others to improve writing abilities.
The Joy of Writing and the Importance of Fun
Writing can often feel torturous, especially when trying to replicate previously well-worded sections. However, writing can also be functional and enjoyable. The speaker reminisces about being grateful for David McCullough's book on John Adams, which helped them discover the fascinating world of history. They highlight the importance of passionate teachers who make history come alive, as well as the engaging and dramatic aspects of historical events. The speaker emphasizes the value of the details in historical narratives and shares their own love for history podcasts that offer a balance between exciting stories and informative specifics.
The Art of Selecting and Balancing Details in Writing
The speaker discusses the challenge of determining which details to include in writing. They highlight the importance of maintaining a balance between providing engaging and vivid details that bring the writing to life, and avoiding excessive and unnecessary information. The speaker suggests that personal taste and curiosity are crucial factors in deciding which details to incorporate. They mention the importance of learning from other writers with great taste in selecting details, such as Bill Bryson's books. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the need to find a match between the writer's own level of interest and curiosity, and the level of detail that will captivate readers.
Tim Urban used to hate writing because he thought it was boring. Now, he has 600,000+ newsletter subscribers, 811,000+ Twitter followers, and one of the most unforgettable (and hilarious) writing styles on the Internet. Come learn how to make your writing fun to read and fun to write.
