Steven Pressfield is the bestselling author of titles such as Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and The Legend of Bagger Vance. He’s also written numerous nonfiction books, such as The War of Art and Turning Pro. Collectively, his books have sold millions of copies and been translated into countless languages; Gates of Fire, in particular, is required reading at West Point and Annapolis and has been on the U.S. Marine Corps Commandant’s Reading List for all ranks since 2002.

But what I love about him is that he’s incredibly open. He wrote for 27 years before he got his first novel published, and during that time, he worked 21 different jobs in 11 states. He taught school, drove tractor-trailers, worked in advertising and as a screenwriter in Hollywood, worked on offshore oil rigs, picked fruit as a migrant worker — you name it.

His newest book is a novel called The Arcadian, and that’s what we’re getting into today. We’re discussing the genesis of the book and how it maps onto many of the personal struggles we all overcome in our day-to-day lives, both as leaders and individuals. We also touch on a few topics that he’s never really been asked before, as it pertains to his writing and why he can sometimes bounce in and out of writing both fiction and non-fiction.

Regardless of your profession, you’ll find something relatable here. He has a wonderful perspective and is a tremendous writer.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

-Why fiction can be more effective at exploring deeper human truths than nonfiction when it comes to psychology, conflict, and motivation.

-How great stories are effective because they keep the reader moving by planting breadcrumbs, small hints, and bits of information along the way.
How to improve your writing by honing your voice, finding the right voice for the project, and using a clear structure with recurring symbols and threads.

-The things that still keep Steven curious and learning including the creative process, the Muse, and the idea that stories come from another dimension.

-How he balances research with storytelling by grounding the reader in real details while still keeping the ideas organized and understandable

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