606: Jack Carr - Writing Thrillers (The Terminal List), Working with Chris Pratt, Fighting Wars as a Navy SEAL, Putting In The Work, & Never Missing an Opportunity To Make Someone's Day
Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL and #1 New York Times bestselling author of thrillers like "The Terminal List," shares his inspiring journey from military service to writing. He discusses the importance of trust and leadership, essential traits for SEALs and writers alike. Jack reflects on his early inspirations and the joy of reading, emphasizing the magic of storytelling. He also provides valuable advice for aspiring authors, reminding them that success comes from hard work and dedication, along with the importance of making meaningful connections.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Childhood Dreams
Jack Carr's childhood dream was to be a Navy SEAL and an author, influenced by his grandfather's WWII service and a love of books.
Early exposure to war stories and literature shaped his aspirations and provided a foundation for storytelling.
insights INSIGHT
Reading for Pleasure
Reading for pleasure allows material to resonate more deeply than reading with a specific purpose.
Jack Carr's immersive reading as a child fostered a deep understanding of storytelling.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Downrange Reading Habits
Jack Carr prioritized reading and continuous learning, even during deployments, to improve as a SEAL and leader.
He focused on nonfiction about warfare and contemporary thrillers for an escape.
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Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who for 20 years led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander, and Task Unit Commander. Jack is also the #1 New York Times Best Selling author of 8 books and his debut novel, The Terminal List, was adapted into the #1 Amazon Prime Video series starring Chris Pratt.
Notes
When Jack was little, he hoped to grow up and do two things. Be a Navy SEAL and become an author.
Jack's grandfather died at war. "It's in my blood."
"You have to prove that you can add value to your tribe."
"Great warriors run to the sound of the guns to be with their fellow service members."
Commonality of the best SEAL Leaders:
Trust, up and down the chain of command
High character
Good decision-maker: The decisions you’ve made in the past are your currency.
Do things you don’t have to do. Run with the squad, put rounds down range. You don’t have to be the best at it, but you should be very good at all of the things the people you’re leading are doing.
Reading novels: "When I was young, I was reading for the magic in those pages."
PUT IN THE WORK… Jack has been putting in the work since he was little. He read books for the magic in those pages. All of that reading has helped inform him of what great storytelling looks like. And then he PUT IN THE WORK. If you want to be a published author, you need to WRITE. It’s that simple. Do the work, and get the manuscript done. And then take the next step. A lot of people want to be published authors. Not everyone wants to write. Like Ronnie Coleman said, “A lot of people want to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift these heavy weights every day.”
Mentor, Brad Thor: “Brad told me that the only difference between a published and unpublished author is that the published author doesn’t quit.”
Writers Block – One thing I’ll share from Steven Pressfield is that he said “Hey, you never hear of a trucker getting trucker’s block”. Writer’s block does not exist - you just have to go do it.
Books to recommend: ONCE AN EAGLE by Anton Myrer.
It is advice that a wise Sam Damon shares: “You can’t help what you were born and you may not have much to say about where you die, but you can and you should try to pass the days in between as a good man.” In the end that really says it all.
Advice:
Never miss an opportunity to make someone’s day… Make that your default setting. Work to add value to others' lives. Make their day. Help them. Make introductions, LISTEN to them, offer ideas to help solve their issues
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