The Tim Ferriss Show

#642: Steven Pressfield on Going from Truck Driver to Bestselling Novelist, Overcoming Self-Sabotage, Building Momentum, Dancing with the Muse, Turning Pro, and Letting Your Underground River Flow

Dec 13, 2022

Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of "Gates of Fire" and "The War of Art," shares his inspiring journey from truck driver to literary success. He candidly discusses overcoming self-sabotage and the vital role of momentum in writing, emphasizing the importance of continuous creativity. The conversation dives into the art of naming characters and the transformative power of storytelling. Pressfield also reflects on the necessity of creative expression, the challenges of embracing absurdity, and how reconnecting with childhood passions fuels joy in the creative process.

01:30:57

Episode guests

Steven Pressfield

AI Summary

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Embracing creativity in fiction writing reenergizes for other pursuits.

Professionalism and responsibility are crucial lessons in career development.

Navigating personal challenges leads to self-discovery and purpose.

Deep dives

Discovering the Power of Fiction Writing

Writing fiction has become a high priority for the podcast host as a source of creative energy and rejuvenation. The process of creating fictional worlds and characters has led to a profound flow state that fuels his other endeavors, providing a balance to the regimented nature of nonfiction work. This return to childhood joy and exploration in the realm of fiction writing has brought a sense of excitement and endurance that was missing in previous projects.

Start the Next One Tomorrow

01:33

The Absurdity of New Financial Technologies

00:40

The Art of Voltage

00:52

Learning from Mistakes and Accepting Mentorship

01:14

Intro

6min

Navigating Ambition and Creativity

11min

The Art of Naming Characters and Navigating Creative Impasses

4min

Maintaining Momentum in Writing

15min

The Obligation of Creativity and Its Transformative Power

4min

Navigating the Creative Wilderness

19min

Navigating Absurdity and Creativity

23min

Embracing Creativity and Wellness

8min

Brought to you by MasterClass online video lessons taught by 180+ of the world’s best, Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement, and Eight Sleep’s Pod Pro Cover sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating.

Steven Pressfield (@SPressfield) was 52 years old before his first novel was published. Since then, he has written the million-sellers Gates of Fire and The War of Art, as well as The Legend of Bagger Vance, A Man at Arms, and many others. His newest book, the memoir Govt Cheese, is about those years before that first publication. It is coming out on December 30th, and you can pre-order signed copies here.

Please enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1 by Athletic Greens, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system.

Right now, Athletic Greens is offering you their Vitamin D Liquid Formula free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit AthleticGreens.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive the free Vitamin D Liquid Formula (and five free travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive all-in-one daily greens product.

This episode is also brought to you by Eight Sleep! Eight Sleep’s Pod Cover is the easiest and fastest way to sleep at the perfect temperature. It pairs dynamic cooling and heating with biometric tracking to offer the most advanced (and user-friendly) solution on the market. Simply add the Pod Cover to your current mattress and start sleeping as cool as 55°F or as hot as 110°F. It also splits your bed in half, so your partner can choose a totally different temperature.

For a limited time, Eight Sleep is offering my listeners up to $450 off their Sleep Fit Holiday Bundle, which includes my personal favorite, the Pod 3 Cover. Go to EightSleep.com/Tim to get the exclusive holiday savings. Eight Sleep currently ships within the USA, Canada, the UK, select countries in the EU, and Australia. That’s EightSleep.com/Tim

This episode is also brought to you by MasterClass! With MasterClass, you can learn from the world’s best minds—anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace. With more than 180 classes from a range of world-class instructors, that thing you’ve always wanted to do is closer than you think.

MasterClass’s cinema-quality lessons give you unparalleled access to renowned instructors, who share everything from how to execute specific techniques to insights about their craft that can be translated across many fields and disciplines. This holiday, give one annual membership and get one free! Go to Masterclass.Com/Ferriss today.

[05:51] Ambition in a halfway house.

[09:30] Evanescent dreams.

[10:37] Helpful self-delusions.

[13:28] What’s in a name?

[19:18] Trimming fiction’s fat beyond the first draft.

[22:06] The Paul Rink method of maintaining Blitzkrieg momentum.

[25:48] Other pearls of Paul Rink perspicacity.

[28:08] A transition from aspiring fiction writer to prolific author.

[32:05] A hint from Hemingway.

[33:15] Positive self-delusion.

[35:26] Writing fiction isn’t self-indulgence. It’s an obligation.

[40:44] How does writing fiction fit into my life? Is it a top priority?