How I Write Nick Bilton: The Art of Storytelling in Films, Journalism, and Murder Mysteries | How I Write
Nick Bilton, a journalist with a knack for storytelling, shares insights on captivating narratives. He dives into the essentials of storytelling, emphasizing emotion, tension, and character development. Discover how to create compelling moments that resonate with audiences, whether in screenwriting or journalism. Bilton discusses the balance between ambition and empathy, and the role of sensory details in narrative design. Plus, he reflects on lessons learned from his journalism journey, highlighting the importance of responsibility and diverse perspectives.
01:19:46
Creating Tension
- Create drama and tension from the very beginning of your story to hook readers.
- Build suspense to keep readers engaged and wanting to turn the page.
Life as a Story
- Everything in life is a story, from supermarket pitches to dinner conversations.
- Great stories combine emotion, tension, and compelling characters.
Learning from Murder Mysteries
- Nick Bilton learned narrative nonfiction by writing screenplays and studying murder mysteries.
- A friend's critique of his Twitter book draft highlighted the importance of relatable characters.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Universal Art of Storytelling
01:32 • 2min
Crafting Compelling Narratives
03:30 • 27min
Crafting Authentic Characters and Immersive Narratives
30:27 • 10min
Crafting Sensory and Authentic Narratives
40:09 • 13min
Exploring Musk's Mindset and the Art of Storytelling
53:08 • 8min
Journeys in Journalism and Storytelling
01:01:33 • 14min
Bringing Numbers to Life: The Art of Analogies in Writing
01:15:15 • 5min
#20472
The fortnight in September
Robert Cedric Sherriff
The Fortnight in September is a gentle and uplifting novel that captures the essence of a family's annual holiday to the English seaside.
It explores the inner worlds of each family member, revealing their desires, regrets, and the small yet significant moments that shape their lives.
The novel is a poignant reflection on family bonds and the beauty of everyday experiences.
#29118
F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This composite biography presents a multifaceted view of F. Scott Fitzgerald's life, exploring his best-known works and lesser-known writings through contributions from multiple scholars.
It offers a new perspective on the author's complex life and career.
#27370
Colleen Hoover's Works
Overview of Her Notable Novels
Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is celebrated for her emotionally charged novels that often explore themes of love, trauma, and personal growth.
Her works include *It Ends with Us*, *Verity*, and *Ugly Love*, among others.
She has gained a massive following on platforms like BookTok and has been named one of the most influential people in the world by *Time* magazine.
#50556
Von Mises and Friedman
None
Ludwig von Mises
Milton Friedman
#1766
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Box
How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
Marc Levinson
#1254
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel García Márquez
One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of seven generations of the Buendía family, founders of the fictional town of Macondo.
The novel spans a hundred years of turbulent Latin American history, from the postcolonial 1820s to the 1920s.
It is a tale of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of history, filled with magical realism that blends the supernatural with the ordinary.
The story follows the family's experiences, including civil war, marriages, births, and deaths, and explores themes such as solitude, fate, and the inevitability of repetition in history.
The novel is renowned for its narrative style and its influence on the literary movement known as the Latin American Boom.
#1118
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
American Kingpin
The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road
Nick Bilton
American Kingpin tells the story of Ross Ulbricht, a libertarian-leaning programmer who built the Silk Road, an online marketplace for drugs and other illicit goods on the dark web.
The book details Ulbricht's transformation from a college dropout to the mastermind behind a billion-dollar drug empire, and his eventual capture by law enforcement.
The narrative is filled with twists and turns, including the involvement of crooked FBI agents, murder-for-hire plots, and the complex interplay between technology, libertarian ideology, and law enforcement.
#34444
The Tiger King
Kalki Krishnamurthy
The story is a satire that critiques the conceit of those in power.
It follows the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who is determined to kill 100 tigers to defy a prophecy that he will die at the jaws of a tiger.
The narrative explores themes of vanity, the transience of life and power, and the folly of unchecked ambition.
Through the character of the Tiger King, Kalki uses humour, irony, and a conversational narrative style to highlight the absurdity of monarchical systems and the corrupting influence of power.
The story ultimately leads to the Maharaja's downfall, emphasizing the importance of humility and self-awareness.
#492
• Mentioned in 34 episodes
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
The novella tells the story of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman who has gone 84 days without catching a fish.
Determined to break his unlucky streak, Santiago ventures far into the Gulf Stream, where he hooks a giant marlin.
Over the course of three days, he battles the marlin, showing respect and admiration for the fish.
Despite eventually killing the marlin, Santiago's catch is devoured by sharks on his journey back to shore.
The story highlights Santiago's endurance, his deep connection with nature, and the themes of struggle, dignity, and the indomitable human spirit.
#2853
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
An Inconvenient Truth
The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It
Al Gore
This book, released in conjunction with the film of the same name, presents a comprehensive look at global warming.
It combines leading-edge research, photographs, charts, and personal anecdotes to document the rapid and widespread impacts of global warming.
Gore explains the causes and effects of global warming in clear terms, highlighting the urgent need for action to mitigate its detrimental consequences.
The book is designed to be accessible and educational, using easy-to-grasp graphics and revealing before-and-after photos to illustrate the climate crisis.
#663
• Mentioned in 28 episodes
Save the Cat
Blake Snyder
In 'Save the Cat!', Blake Snyder provides a detailed analysis of the three-act structure and introduces his 15-beat sheet, a method for structuring screenplays.
The book covers key elements such as the Opening Image, Catalyst, Debate, Break into Two, B Story, Fun and Games, Midpoint, Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, Dark Night of the Soul, Break into Three, Finale, and Final Image.
Snyder also discusses the importance of making the hero likable through the 'Save the Cat' rule and breaks down successful films to illustrate his points.
The book is widely regarded as a definitive resource for screenwriters, offering practical advice and a clear framework for storytelling.
#138
• Mentioned in 88 episodes
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" is an allegorical novel that follows Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a journey to fulfill his Personal Legend.
The story blends elements of fantasy and realism, exploring themes of self-discovery, following one's dreams, and listening to one's intuition.
Along his journey, Santiago encounters various characters and challenges that teach him valuable lessons about life and the importance of perseverance.
The book's simple yet profound message has resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring them to pursue their passions and embrace the journey.
The Alchemist is a timeless tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's dreams.
#136
• Mentioned in 89 episodes
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century.
The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg.
The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate.
Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life.
The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition.
#1095
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Walt Disney
The Triumph of the American Imagination
Neal Gabler
This biography, meticulously researched over seven years with complete access to the Disney archives, provides a detailed and nuanced portrait of Walt Disney.
It covers his early life, his transformation of animation into an art form with iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and films such as Snow White, Fantasia, and Bambi, and his expansion into television, theme parks, music, book publishing, and merchandise.
The book also delves into Disney's personal life, revealing a complex figure with both remarkable achievements and hidden struggles, including financial problems, a nervous breakdown, and personal controversies.
Gabler's work is a masterful exploration of both the work and the man, highlighting Disney's impact on American culture and the power of his imagination.
#13996
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Rocket Men
The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon
Robert Kurson
This book tells the story of the Apollo 8 mission with a focus on the three astronauts: Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders.
It details the epic dangers and singular bravery involved in this historic mission, set against the backdrop of 1968, a year marked by significant social and political turmoil.
The narrative is drawn from hundreds of hours of interviews with the astronauts, their families, NASA personnel, and other experts, providing vivid and unforgettable detail about the mission and its impact.
Welcome to 74-minutes of storytelling strategy that’s better than all of your English classes combined. Nick is a journalist who has written for The New York Times and Vanity Fair. He’s a screenwriter, an author, a murder mystery enthusiast. In other words, he knows how to push a story through a brick wall. And he’s going to show you how you can, too.
This episode is the ultimate storytelling toolkit. Cliffhangers. Tension. Dialogue. Character. Motifs. You’ll learn it all.
And here’s the thing: if you can tell great stories, then you will succeed in life. Stories make up our entire world — from a politician’s speech to the back of a cereal box to a dinner party with friends. Good storytellers always have the upper hand. So, if you want to tell fast-paced and dizzying stories, this episode is for you.
SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: https://www.nickbilton.com/
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nick-Bilton/author/B003UP0RIM
Vanity Fair: https://www.vanityfair.com/contributor/nick-bilton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickbilton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbilton
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