write or die: a masterclass in writing well
DESCRIPTION
A masterclass in writing well – author Berkun has had a popular blog since 2003. He’ll offer no-nonsense advice about the forgotten core of what makes a blog, and books, succeed: good writing. From picking great topics, to writing drafts, to steel-eyed editing, to discipline and motivation, you’ll get a pro authors best lessons on the craft of writing. With plenty of time for Q&A.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Write or Die
Scott Berkun / @berkunscottberkun.com
WordCamp Seattle, June 8th, 2013
![Page 2: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
YOU ARE HERE
GO HERE (LATER)
![Page 3: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
![Page 4: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Pre-order now On Amazon – On Sale Sept 2013
![Page 5: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
1. Popular vs. Good2. Write or Die3. Insight vs. Style4. Pick an angle5. Sentences 6. Paragraphs7. How to write 1000 words
![Page 6: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Scottberkun.com By the Numbers
• Started 2003• ~1500 posts• 12k daily pageviews*• 16k RSS• 20k mailing list• 17k twitter
![Page 7: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Not all traffic is equal
Most traffic is drive-by trash
![Page 8: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
![Page 9: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
2. Write or Die
![Page 10: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
A blog post
![Page 11: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
An essay
![Page 12: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
A novel
![Page 13: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
,
,
.
..
![Page 14: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
![Page 15: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
![Page 16: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
![Page 17: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
If you can’t figure out how to write as often as you
want, stop trying
![Page 18: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Writers who wrote in Prison
• Ezra Pound• Oscar Wilde• O’Henry• Daniel Defoe• Marquis De Sade• Voltaire• Cervantes (Don Quixote)
• Machiavelli • Thoreau• Nelson Mandela• E.E. Cummings• Martin Luther King• Marco Polo
![Page 19: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
betweenthebars.org
![Page 20: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
1. Writing well Is hard2. There is no secret, only effort3. You must write often to write well4. Really, stop looking for secrets 5. Don’t be precious
![Page 21: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
![Page 22: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
3. Insight
Style
![Page 23: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Story
Style
![Page 24: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
![Page 25: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
![Page 26: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
![Page 27: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
4. PICK AN ANGLE
![Page 28: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
MY THOUGHTS ON CHEESEBlah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ANGLE STARTS HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah BUT GETS LOST HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah TOUCHED ON BRIEFLY HERE BUT ABANDONED blah blah
Blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
![Page 29: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
THE SECRET OF CHEESEBlah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ANGLE STARTS HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah BUT GETS LOST HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah TOUCHED ON BRIEFLY HERE BUT ABANDONED blah blah
Blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
![Page 30: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
(SAME SHIT, BETTER HEADLINE)Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ANGLE STARTS HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah BUT GETS LOST HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah TOUCHED ON BRIEFLY HERE BUT ABANDONED blah blah
Blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
![Page 31: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR OWN CHEESE
ANGLE STARTS HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah EVERY SETENCE SUPPORTS THE ANGLE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
OBVIOUS OBJECTIONS READERS WILL HAVE ARE ANSWERED NATURALLY blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah THE WRITER SHOWS RESPECT FOR THE READER BY BEING CONCISE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blahblah blah blah blah
![Page 32: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
WHY I WILL NEVER EAT CHEESE AGAIN
ANGLE STARTS HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah EVERY SETENCE SUPPORTS THE ANGLE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
OBVIOUS OBJECTIONS READERS WILL HAVE ARE ANSWERED NATURALLY blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah THE WRITER SHOWS RESPECT FOR THE READER BY BEING CONCISE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blahblah blah blah blah
![Page 33: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
THE MAN WHO KILLED HIS EVIL UNCLE WITH VELVETTA
ANGLE STARTS HERE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah EVERY SETENCE SUPPORTS THE ANGLE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
OBVIOUS OBJECTIONS READERS WILL HAVE ARE ANSWERED NATURALLY blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah THE WRITER SHOWS RESPECT FOR THE READER BY BEING CONCISE blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blahblah blah blah blah
![Page 34: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
5. Sentences
![Page 35: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
The cheescake was mildly excited about being sort of unique and not unhappy.
![Page 36: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
The cheescake was mildly excited about being sort of unique and not unhappy.
The cheescake was thrilled to realize she was special.
The cheesecake was special.
Cheesecake exists.
![Page 37: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
7. Paragraphs
![Page 38: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
You only write as well as what you read
![Page 39: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
![Page 40: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
DRAFT 1 DRAFT 2
?
![Page 41: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
DRAFT 1 DRAFT 2
?This is what separates good
writing from crap
![Page 42: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
“The first draft of anything is shit” -Hemmingway
![Page 43: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
![Page 44: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
7. How To Write 1000 words
![Page 45: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
![Page 46: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Video and final essay
http://bit.ly/1000wordslive
![Page 47: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Photo Credits
• Protractor: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisinplymouth/3240722779/
![Page 48: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
YMMV
![Page 49: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Thanks.Questions?
Scott Berkun / @berkun
www.scottberkun.com
![Page 50: Write or Die: A Masterclass In Writing Well](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062418/554d42b3b4c905b0708b4d35/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
@berkunwww.scottberkun.com