Writing Books for Readers Beyond Academe | The Writer’s Perspective: Dan Gilbert | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Dan Gilbert, a scientist and bestselling author, shares his insights on writing a book, emphasizing the importance of passion and authenticity.

Transcript

DAN GILBERT: Well, I have to say, I feel like the odd man out here, because on my left I have two people who have dedicated their lives to the publishing industry. On my right, I have one of America's most distinguished writers. And I'm a scientist. I mean, I wrote one book. I got really lucky. It became a bestseller. And I write better than most s... Read More

Key Insights

• 📔 Writing a book should be driven by a passionate desire to share something rather than seeking fame or recognition.
• ✍️ Trade writing requires convincing readers that your message is worth their time and money, while academic writing assumes a shared interest.
• 🆘 Writing in one's authentic voice, rather than an academic voice, helps readers resonate with the content.
• 🫡 Writers should respect and appreciate their readers' intelligence and motivation to learn.
• 🥺 The success of a book does not necessarily determine the writer's obligation to continue writing; passion should lead the way.
• ❤️‍🩹 Avoid starting or ending a book prematurely; find the right balance in knowing when to stop.
• ✍️ Readers value authenticity and can easily detect false or insincere writing.

Questions & Answers

Q: What advice does Dan Gilbert give to those considering writing a book?

Gilbert suggests that writing a book should be fueled by a deep passion for the topic, rather than a desire to be a writer. He believes that a book should be inspired by something that you can't stop thinking and talking about.

Q: How does trade writing differ from academic writing?

According to Gilbert, the main difference is that trade writing does not require originality in the same way as academic writing. Trade readers are interested in content that is new and interesting to them, rather than groundbreaking. The writer's goal is to convince trade readers that their message is worth their time and money.

Q: What does Gilbert mean by writing in one's authentic voice?

Gilbert argues that a good book should be written in a voice that resembles the way the author communicates with people they care about. The academic voice that one may use in their professional life is not the same as their true voice.

Q: How should writers approach their readers?

Gilbert advises writers not to have contempt for their readers. Instead, they should respect their intelligence and motivation to learn. Writers should aim to share a journey with their readers and help them understand concepts they may have already sensed but couldn't articulate.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dan Gilbert suggests that writing a book should be inspired by a burning desire to share something important and interesting, rather than simply wanting to be a writer.

• He highlights the difference between academic writing, where readers share the writer's interest, and trade writing, where the writer needs to convince readers that their message is original and worth their time.

• Gilbert emphasizes the importance of writing in one's authentic voice and having respect for readers, who are motivated to learn and as smart as students.