Gabrielle Zevin, an acclaimed novelist known for her bestseller Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, shares her insights on navigating failure and creativity. She discusses how setbacks can foster resilience and inspire new beginnings. The importance of intrinsic motivation over external validation comes to light, alongside the emotional journey of writing. Zevin also highlights the delicate balance of solitude and collaboration, and the complexities of crafting relatable characters and relationships in storytelling.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Zevin's Journey with Success and Failure
Gabrielle Zevin discusses her experience with both successful and less successful books.
She emphasizes her resilience and pride in her ability to handle failure without devastation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Fear of Reading More
Adam Grant expresses his fear of reading Zevin's other works after loving Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
Zevin responds that readers often connect with just one of her books due to her evolving style.
insights INSIGHT
Fresh Starts in Writing
Zevin discusses her approach to writing, viewing each book as a fresh start.
She acknowledges that her earlier works don't match her current vision but show her artistic development.
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Syd Field's 'Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting' is a seminal work that outlines the three-act structure, emphasizing setup, confrontation, and resolution. It provides insights into crafting memorable characters, writing authentic dialogue, and overcoming writer's block. The book has been a cornerstone for aspiring and professional screenwriters alike since its publication in 1979.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin
Spanning thirty years, 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' by Gabrielle Zevin is a sweeping narrative that explores the lives of Sam and Sadie, two friends united by their love of video games. From their childhood encounters to their adulthood as successful game developers, the book delves into themes of identity, creativity, disability, and the redemptive possibilities in play. It is a coming-of-age story that examines the multifaceted nature of human relationships and the need to connect, love, and be loved. The novel is praised for its mature and nuanced portrayal of characters and its ability to engage readers even without prior knowledge of the video game industry.
Gabrielle Zevin wrote the runaway bestseller Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, but she doesn’t expect anyone to know most of her other nine books. The acclaimed novelist joins Adam to discuss how to face failure, find inspiration, make sure success doesn't hinder creativity, and stay motivated when your goals don't align with your skills. Then, they riff on the most important elements of a story and several mic drop moments in her work.
Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
ReThinking 
