Writing craft
Subject in Books
Writing craft has come up in 1 episode across 1 podcast in TMT, including The Tim Ferriss Show. 4 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Elizabeth GilbertAmerican author of the memoir Eat, Pray, Love
Gilbert says chasing each new exciting idea means never completing anything, so writers should stick with their current project.
“a new hot girl is going to come on, and I'm never going to complete anything. So stick with the one you came to the dance with”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 5:21
Gilbert argues that people should only abandon a project for a newer idea if they have a proven record of finishing things.
“I give you permission to quit working on that first project, but only if you have a proven track record of ever being able to finish a thing”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 4:20
Seth GodinAmerican author of Purple Cow
Godin rejects the idea of a muse or the importance of talent.
“So I don't believe in the muse at all. I don't think there's any outside force. I don't think talent really matters”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 49:25
Jerry SeinfeldComedian and co-creator of Seinfeld
Seinfeld argues that greatness comes from accumulated hours rather than innate talent.
“You know who's great? The people that just put tremendous amount of hours into it. It's a game of tonnage”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 20:17
Anne LamottAmerican writer and essayist, author of Bird by Bird, Operating Instructions and Somehow: Thoughts on Love
Lamott calls Doctorow's headlights metaphor the most profound advice she can offer on any topic.
“you can only see a little ways in front of you and you can make the whole journey that way”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 8:37
Podcasts
- The Tim Ferriss Show · 1 episode
Episodes
#878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and MoreThe Tim Ferriss Show · Aug 5, 2026 · 59 min
Tim Ferriss compiles writing advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Anne Lamott, Joyce Carol Oates, Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Karr, Brandon Sanderson and Seth Godin on starting, persisting and finishing.