On my first day as a jeweller's apprentice, my master, Norman Reed give me advice that I have never forgotten: Don't write that you may be understood - write that you cannot possibly be misunderstood. Never forgotten that very practical advice.
So many poorly written books out there with unnecessary jargons and big words. I’m grateful for writers who can share their wisdom with a clear and approachable writing style.
@ spot on! I never click on his videos. It feels like his preference for using big words might stem from a need to prove his credibility, which to me is a sign of insecurity
100% agreed. As a project manager, the emails I get from engineers, buyers, construction managers, etc. usually requires clarification, often contains gibberish or conflicting statements, and sometimes is just atrocious. I say in every meeting, "Communication happens when sender and receiver understand the same thing. Put yourselves in the receiver's shoes." Of course, having to say that every meeting means that they aren't listening to me lol...
Simplicity reveals truth- My late grandfather took a writing class once. The teacher put a picture of a shovel on the projector and told the students that it was their writing prompt. Everyone starting writing paragraphs about shovels but my grandfather just wrote: ”Ode to a shovel: Set aside, set asunder, and in the end- set us under.” When the teacher saw his paper he told him that he didn’t need to take the class.
Great advice! Best I ever received was from seasoned journalist and Penn State journalism professor Bill Dulaney at the start of his 400-level investigative-reporting course: (delivered in his characteristic slow southern drawl) "Writing is so hard for each of us. All I can tell you is to write clearly, concisely and interestingly. That's all I can tell you."
This is true. If I write something, initially i will write for myself just to get the ideas down. Then I will leave it for a while, return to it and then weed out words, sentences that don't strike me. Then I go in again and look at it from a reader view. Is it easy to understand? What does it communicate to a reader? Is there clarity?
I am currently reading "Mastery" and have already finished "48 laws of power". I am intending to read all of your books. Your ideas has made me less naive about this world. Really appreciate your work, sir. Hope you are doing fine!
I recommend starting with The Rules of Human Nature next, as it provides a broad overview of all his work. From there, you can dive deeper into specific areas with his other books. The Daily Laws is also an excellent companion-structured as a year of meditations. Starting Jan 1st.
I'm a writer yet not nearly the "prolific" writer that you are Robert. Your points are VERY well received. Making my points clear and to the point so that it's easily understood is my primary focus. Otherwise, my points aren't helpful. A comprehensive knowledge of highly technical terms just doesn't allow the reader to grasp the big picture or any of the underlying points that have meaning. Being "profound" for example. Using that particular word isn't always easily understood. The word complicated might be better. I often listen to your knowledge & wisdom and write your insight onto paper and I thank you for that. For example, "outshining the master" is highly insightful for me. All of your insights are well received my me and I am growing as a person as a result. I actually need to order one of your books. I'll start with THE 48 LAWS OF POWER. If I can just make the time to read it, I will grow to become even more successful and well grounded as a human being. Thank you Robert Greene.
When I was 14 years old my English Language teacher wrote on an essay of mine, "Don't confuse grand-sounding English with good English". I may not have always achieved that but the message has remained with me for the last 50 years. Also in a math(s) book about writing proofs - the furthest thing you would think from writing English - said early in the preface, "Writing mathematics is an activity in the process of communication to another person. If you do not know who you are writing for, or you do not communicate, then you have failed." What is true for the arts and humanities is as true for math(s) and science.
Very well said. Writing (and speaking) is about communicating one's thoughts / views / ideas effectively to the target audience, not an exercise to show-off one's vocabulary, which is what many writers / speakers often do.
best Writing feedback I got was from my English professor in college: “What is this bullshit?” Context: I included a hypothetical scenario in an argumentative essay.
That takes me back to my years at University, the red marker on the essays. It wasn't until my final year that my tutors were happy with my work resulting in fewer red comments. I went on to get a well paid job that involved writing documents for a variety of audiences so I always thank my University tutors for their patience and diligence.
It’s interesting how such seemingly small events can have such a profound effect overall. I would bet each one of us could find something in our own past that has that affect whether good or bad. From there, we can make adjustments to minimize any damage and accentuate advantages.
Thankyou Mr Greene, this has come at the right time, I love writing and when I do it for myself it's fine, but when I write publicly im hopeless, and I could never figure out why, you hit the nail on the head.
Years ago, I got stuck running a screenwriting group. The idea was that aspiring screenwriters would present their work and receive feedback from other aspiring screenwriters so that we all stood a better chance of breaking into the business. Or so I thought. I tried my best to get the other participants to grasp what Mr. Greene is describing here. Unfortunately, they only wrote for themselves. Either they wrote to build a little fantasy world in which they got to exercise total control or to vomit up something that had been bothering them. And either way, they considered what they had thrown onto the page to be perfect as is, in first draft form, and they wanted praise for being so brilliant. When I'd ask, "What is the idea that you are trying to convey to the audience?" or "What feeling do you want the audience to take with them when they leave the theater?" their eyes would glaze over. It never occurred to them to think of the audience. Worse than that, they didn't want to think about the audience. As far as they were concerned, it was all about them. I kept at it for far too long because the psychology of those people fascinated me, but I eventually had to fire myself. The group was too much of a soul-suck. I can only sympathize with professional readers in Hollywood, who have to endure a mountain of that meaningless mush on a daily basis. No wonder many of them end up bitter, cynical, and depressed.
Great advice - Mr. Smith knew what he was talking about! The first piece of writing I ever got a good grade on was a report of a newspaper article on the day that Kaiser Bill fled to Doorn: it was for my Fifth grade composition teacher, Mr. Collins, and I still have it.
Great story! When you described what you teacher wrote on your paper a flood of memory I hadn't touched in years welled up about a drama professor who helped fix my writing in a similar way. I think the assignment was to write a movie review and when I got mine back he had also scribbled on it with red pencil, and in big words on the front, "Curb your doggerel." Basically I had been amusing myself with the writing instead of my audience. It was great advice.
Had a similar experience with my illustration teacher. I don't even draw for a living but what he taught me was invaluable. You're cut from the same cloth thank you.
Essay decided what's have your communication, i never think about it before, if you want to improve your essay so first thing you have to do improve your communication skill.
Best writing advice I’ve ever received was to write what you mean, not what you want, and it worked, I went from writing stupid fanfiction to writing stories about serious themes with deep characters. Is it perfect, let alone great? Hell no, could be way better, but I’m waaay better than I was 6 years ago.
His book was one of the best written books i read, easy to read, you can read it with little comprehension, you can be distracted and you can relate and cant keep the book down. I was slapping the arm rest reading the book. I clearly didn’t see the world same afterwards anymore.
@ undoubtedly 48 laws of power, followed by art of seduction which i feel is such a powerful and captivating book, 33 strategies of war, easiest reads. Other than that its Mastery . Laws of human nature is not something you can read with half a brain awake, its deep but more mature.
As a Junior in high school, my English teacher made me her TA. I was grading papers one time, and I was a bit stunned at how poorly written my fellow students' essays were until I got to one that was clearly superior: it was the foreign exchange student from Norway's.....Sidenote, same teacher invited me to lunch shortly after graduation and made a pass at me- one of the more unsettling events in my life.....
As a unique author of memoirs, my writing is purposely raw and flawed human writing, by design! I see no use to strive for a perfection that never existed in the first place!
same goes for sales/target audiences at least if u want to make money/please ppl with the product (which is actually not a given) u can also just write stuff how u like it, but it possibly will make u less money cuz u r not catering to a broad audience (unless of course u r the most normie of all normies and what u think is nice also appeals to the broad mass)
His idea is a half-truth, who are these people writers write for? The people are in different groups. Sure, writers that the "average person" relates to have a better chance for success, but a writer who has ideas too "new" will get passed over no matter how clear the work, but such writers should try to write in a way that has reach. Writing for yourself is necessary for developing your themes, later a popular book can be written once the themes become second nature. There are readers too that know it takes effort to grasp a book that is complex and the uphill path gets you the gems.
OMG …. You were getting that messed up advice all over the place…. Why don’t you have a nice long chat with Rick Rubin, Robert Greene…. And why don’t you ask Rubin who writers should be writing for…. Maybe you will believe someone like him because he has helped people make a lot of money…. You are telling people to fit their artistic expression into a package that everyone else already recognizes… stifling creativity… letting everyone else keep their minds within the same box
Get the special power edition of "The 48 Laws of Power" while supply last: amzn.to/4gsdYVY
Thank you! I'll implement your recommendations
On my first day as a jeweller's apprentice, my master, Norman Reed give me advice that I have never forgotten: Don't write that you may be understood - write that you cannot possibly be misunderstood. Never forgotten that very practical advice.
Good one!
So many poorly written books out there with unnecessary jargons and big words. I’m grateful for writers who can share their wisdom with a clear and approachable writing style.
Yeah. You are right...most of the writers focus on themselves unfortunately 😢😢
why is this guy always sad
This also should apply to orators like Jordan Peterson who speaks a lot of unnecessary words and tells you nothing.
@ spot on! I never click on his videos. It feels like his preference for using big words might stem from a need to prove his credibility, which to me is a sign of insecurity
@@Jollofpappi damn, but the guy is extremely wise though
God bless Mr. Smith and God bless Mr. Robert Greene
Why drag God into this? It doesn't look like he or she or it is blessing anything or anybody.
100% agreed. As a project manager, the emails I get from engineers, buyers, construction managers, etc. usually requires clarification, often contains gibberish or conflicting statements, and sometimes is just atrocious. I say in every meeting, "Communication happens when sender and receiver understand the same thing. Put yourselves in the receiver's shoes." Of course, having to say that every meeting means that they aren't listening to me lol...
Simplicity reveals truth-
My late grandfather took a writing class once. The teacher put a picture of a shovel on the projector and told the students that it was their writing prompt.
Everyone starting writing paragraphs about shovels but my grandfather just wrote:
”Ode to a shovel: Set aside, set asunder, and in the end- set us under.”
When the teacher saw his paper he told him that he didn’t need to take the class.
Good little poem. Did he write anything else?
Did he become a copywriter?
Love this!
Jesus Christ!! Why did that little paragraph make me emotional 🥹? I’d have loved to meet your grandfather
Robert became my favourite author and my favourite speaker
Great advice! Best I ever received was from seasoned journalist and Penn State journalism professor Bill Dulaney at the start of his 400-level investigative-reporting course: (delivered in his characteristic slow southern drawl) "Writing is so hard for each of us. All I can tell you is to write clearly, concisely and interestingly. That's all I can tell you."
"Learn your audience," is one of the best bits of advice I've ever received. Your message expands upon that, thanks!
This is true. If I write something, initially i will write for myself just to get the ideas down. Then I will leave it for a while, return to it and then weed out words, sentences that don't strike me. Then I go in again and look at it from a reader view. Is it easy to understand? What does it communicate to a reader? Is there clarity?
I am currently reading "Mastery" and have already finished "48 laws of power". I am intending to read all of your books. Your ideas has made me less naive about this world. Really appreciate your work, sir. Hope you are doing fine!
The Laws of Human Nature explains the psychology of us humans 🔥 @RobertGreeneOfficial
I recommend starting with The Rules of Human Nature next, as it provides a broad overview of all his work. From there, you can dive deeper into specific areas with his other books. The Daily Laws is also an excellent companion-structured as a year of meditations. Starting Jan 1st.
@@aftertheapocalypse7573 I am about to finish Mastery, I think will read Laws of human nature next
I'm a writer yet not nearly the "prolific" writer that you are Robert. Your points are VERY well received. Making my points clear and to the point so that it's easily understood is my primary focus. Otherwise, my points aren't helpful. A comprehensive knowledge of highly technical terms just doesn't allow the reader to grasp the big picture or any of the underlying points that have meaning. Being "profound" for example. Using that particular word isn't always easily understood. The word complicated might be better.
I often listen to your knowledge & wisdom and write your insight onto paper and I thank you for that. For example, "outshining the master" is highly insightful for me. All of your insights are well received my me and I am growing as a person as a result. I actually need to order one of your books. I'll start with THE 48 LAWS OF POWER.
If I can just make the time to read it, I will grow to become even more successful and well grounded as a human being. Thank you Robert Greene.
A great teacher is a valuable asset
Thanks Mr Smith
Thank Mr Green❤
When I was 14 years old my English Language teacher wrote on an essay of mine, "Don't confuse grand-sounding English with good English". I may not have always achieved that but the message has remained with me for the last 50 years. Also in a math(s) book about writing proofs - the furthest thing you would think from writing English - said early in the preface, "Writing mathematics is an activity in the process of communication to another person. If you do not know who you are writing for, or you do not communicate, then you have failed." What is true for the arts and humanities is as true for math(s) and science.
Very well said. Writing (and speaking) is about communicating one's thoughts / views / ideas effectively to the target audience, not an exercise to show-off one's vocabulary, which is what many writers / speakers often do.
best Writing feedback I got was from my English professor in college:
“What is this bullshit?”
Context: I included a hypothetical scenario in an argumentative essay.
I too had my own version of mr. Smith when growing up. So thank you to all the teachers that left a positive mark on us.
That takes me back to my years at University, the red marker on the essays. It wasn't until my final year that my tutors were happy with my work resulting in fewer red comments. I went on to get a well paid job that involved writing documents for a variety of audiences so I always thank my University tutors for their patience and diligence.
God bless Mr.Smith! Thank you so much for the advice Robert!
It’s interesting how such seemingly small events can have such a profound effect overall. I would bet each one of us could find something in our own past that has that affect whether good or bad. From there, we can make adjustments to minimize any damage and accentuate advantages.
Thankyou Mr Greene, this has come at the right time, I love writing and when I do it for myself it's fine, but when I write publicly im hopeless, and I could never figure out why, you hit the nail on the head.
Years ago, I got stuck running a screenwriting group. The idea was that aspiring screenwriters would present their work and receive feedback from other aspiring screenwriters so that we all stood a better chance of breaking into the business. Or so I thought. I tried my best to get the other participants to grasp what Mr. Greene is describing here. Unfortunately, they only wrote for themselves. Either they wrote to build a little fantasy world in which they got to exercise total control or to vomit up something that had been bothering them. And either way, they considered what they had thrown onto the page to be perfect as is, in first draft form, and they wanted praise for being so brilliant. When I'd ask, "What is the idea that you are trying to convey to the audience?" or "What feeling do you want the audience to take with them when they leave the theater?" their eyes would glaze over. It never occurred to them to think of the audience. Worse than that, they didn't want to think about the audience. As far as they were concerned, it was all about them.
I kept at it for far too long because the psychology of those people fascinated me, but I eventually had to fire myself. The group was too much of a soul-suck. I can only sympathize with professional readers in Hollywood, who have to endure a mountain of that meaningless mush on a daily basis. No wonder many of them end up bitter, cynical, and depressed.
EXCELLENT. " WRITE TO COMMUNICATE ! "
Great advice - Mr. Smith knew what he was talking about! The first piece of writing I ever got a good grade on was a report of a newspaper article on the day that Kaiser Bill fled to Doorn: it was for my Fifth grade composition teacher, Mr. Collins, and I still have it.
That was beautiful, we all owe a thank you to Mr. Smith😊
Great story! When you described what you teacher wrote on your paper a flood of memory I hadn't touched in years welled up about a drama professor who helped fix my writing in a similar way. I think the assignment was to write a movie review and when I got mine back he had also scribbled on it with red pencil, and in big words on the front, "Curb your doggerel." Basically I had been amusing myself with the writing instead of my audience. It was great advice.
Had a similar experience with my illustration teacher. I don't even draw for a living but what he taught me was invaluable. You're cut from the same cloth thank you.
Thank you, Robert. You very open to us ❤️❤️❤️
Your Effort in this Channel means a lot for us ❤
As always just the best advice. Thank you, Mr. Greene!
Thank you for sharing this information.
Super advice.
Keeping it simple as possible
Making it enjoyable for both parties
God bless Mr. Smith😊
0:21 me: wait, did I miss matrix movie?
Yeah, he used to camouflage as a teacher to see which kid is awakened.
Please Robert, share more tips on writing.
Very interesting 👌 👍 🤔 and very informative 👌 👍 🤔
I will give you all of my research papers from my undergrad and Master's. All great:)
48 laws of power , amazing book .
Great clip! ❤ Your channel is the best
You are my favorite author
Essay decided what's have your communication, i never think about it before, if you want to improve your essay so first thing you have to do improve your communication skill.
I don't enjoy bringing up negativity or negative habits in other people. So, I'm after a topic to write about :)
This is much more than about writing. This is about life.
I don’t know if I completely agree with that..
But I definitely would like to read that Fancy Word Essay. .💖
"Everything that can be thought at all can be thought clearly. Everything that can be said can be said clearly." -Ludwig Wittgenstein
I swear to god this is a rule in copywriting
'Mr Smith' (21) 'She was an English teacher' (031)
Thanks for this
I wish I got this advice in in 10th grade. Had to figure it out myself up the 20s
thanks robert!
Best writing advice I’ve ever received was to write what you mean, not what you want, and it worked, I went from writing stupid fanfiction to writing stories about serious themes with deep characters. Is it perfect, let alone great? Hell no, could be way better, but I’m waaay better than I was 6 years ago.
The best advice is always the most simple. God bless Mr Smith
His book was one of the best written books i read, easy to read, you can read it with little comprehension, you can be distracted and you can relate and cant keep the book down. I was slapping the arm rest reading the book. I clearly didn’t see the world same afterwards anymore.
Which book would you recommend in particular?
@ undoubtedly 48 laws of power, followed by art of seduction which i feel is such a powerful and captivating book, 33 strategies of war, easiest reads. Other than that its Mastery . Laws of human nature is not something you can read with half a brain awake, its deep but more mature.
Thank you.
very true
Telling a story in your writing is the best communication technique.
We love you
God bless u too sir
As a Junior in high school, my English teacher made me her TA. I was grading papers one time, and I was a bit stunned at how poorly written my fellow students' essays were until I got to one that was clearly superior: it was the foreign exchange student from Norway's.....Sidenote, same teacher invited me to lunch shortly after graduation and made a pass at me- one of the more unsettling events in my life.....
Nigga writing a short story over here
Anybody here who still hasn't read all of his books? I'm going to read all of his books in 2025. Care to join me?
Yeah man 💪🏻
@puchbua1433 How do you want to communicate?
Master Robert! I waited enough for your one and only last new book 📖 but now my curiosity for that has vanished & dissolved. Chill & cheers Robert🥂
Please make a video about ego being hypothetical
wonderful
🥺 the only one who could understand is writing is me… haha and i think i made peace w that.. but yess moreee on this 🙏🏽
What's are your thoughts on linguists?
I’m calling Mr. Green(e) in the LIBRARY with the PENCIL
How can I get better at writing?
Don't write for yourself, communicate!!
God I hope that teacher lived to see what Robert became.
Nice.
Yes, absolutely. On what grounds does one express "personal opinion"? That's art, not Phil. :)
As a unique author of memoirs, my writing is purposely raw and flawed human writing, by design! I see no use to strive for a perfection that never existed in the first place!
Yes, I could write more, maybe I am going to, who knows...
The GOAT
same goes for sales/target audiences
at least if u want to make money/please ppl with the product (which is actually not a given)
u can also just write stuff how u like it, but it possibly will make u less money cuz u r not catering to a broad audience (unless of course u r the most normie of all normies and what u think is nice also appeals to the broad mass)
Please make some videos on how you write in detail❤
Man, I was hoping Mr. Smith dropped a comment.
Yo... looks like Hank Green
thank god mr smith tought or else this generation would have missed on a loot
Now I'll think about this idea while sleeping 😌
Does he not know that 'improve' is the word he wants and not 'fix'?
Robert, can you fix my life?
We are in trouble. Stupid people in the highest seats of power.
Tatiana met lebowski❤❤🎉🎉helps
Great share❤
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
❤❤❤
Thank you a lot
His idea is a half-truth, who are these people writers write for? The people are in different groups. Sure, writers that the "average person" relates to have a better chance for success, but a writer who has ideas too "new" will get passed over no matter how clear the work, but such writers should try to write in a way that has reach. Writing for yourself is necessary for developing your themes, later a popular book can be written once the themes become second nature. There are readers too that know it takes effort to grasp a book that is complex and the uphill path gets you the gems.
Awww❤
❤
I thought bad handwriting at first 😅😂
❤❤🎉🎉
OMG …. You were getting that messed up advice all over the place…. Why don’t you have a nice long chat with Rick Rubin, Robert Greene…. And why don’t you ask Rubin who writers should be writing for…. Maybe you will believe someone like him because he has helped people make a lot of money…. You are telling people to fit their artistic expression into a package that everyone else already recognizes… stifling creativity… letting everyone else keep their minds within the same box
Writing is obsolete even with current AI
You just wrote
Would love more writing advice from you, thank you ❤
Me too!
😀
I feel sad about mr robert cause he’s getting old
😮