9 Authentic and Creative Writing Tips from Neil Strauss

Writing with authenticity isn’t easy—it requires vulnerability, honesty, and bravery to reveal truths that we might otherwise keep hidden. In a recent episode of the How I Write podcast, Neil Strauss sat down with David Perell to share his approach to writing authentically, a style that not only hooks readers but keeps them invested.

Strauss, known for works that combine his personal experiences with universal truths, discusses how he crafts compelling stories and meaningful narratives.
Here are some key insights from that conversation.

1. Writing with Uncommon Honesty and Brutality

Strauss believes that authentic writing should aim to reveal personal truths that resonate universally.

He emphasizes that being brutally honest on the page involves facing fears and insecurities and delivering raw, unfiltered thoughts.

“I’m trying to get something so authentic on the page that people are like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re telling the truth.’ You should just tell your story with uncommon honesty. And then edit it with uncommon brutality.” — Neil Strauss

Tips from Strauss:

Face vulnerability head-on: Don’t shy away from revealing personal fears and insecurities; embrace them.
Craft with honesty: Be willing to share parts of yourself that feel risky or exposing.
Edit fearlessly: Once the draft is complete, take an objective approach and remove any part that doesn’t serve the story or the reader.

2. The Power of a Strong Hook

Strauss describes the importance of engaging readers right from the first sentence.
He explains that most readers start with the intention to quit, so it’s the writer’s job to give them a reason to stay.

“People don’t want to read your stuff, and unless you have a good introduction, they’re not going to stick around.” — Neil Strauss

How to Hook Readers:

Open with intrigue: Start with a captivating moment or a surprising fact.
Get personal: Make readers feel like they’re stepping into your mind or life.
Experiment with different openings: Strauss uses examples from his own work to show how he refines introductions to capture interest immediately.

3. Embrace Vulnerability but Make It Relatable

Writing vulnerably doesn’t mean sharing everything in a diary-like manner.
Strauss explains that vulnerability has to be meaningful to readers—it should reveal something universal about the human experience.

“It’s not enough to just be vulnerable. You need to synthesize what it is that you’re writing about, make sense of it in a way that leads to some sort of insight or story that has a nice rhythm and cadence.” — David Perell

Steps to Authentic Vulnerability:

First Draft: The “Vomit Draft”: This is where you write everything down without filtering. No one else will see it, so this draft is just for you.
Second Draft: For the Reader: Here, you refine the story, making it relatable, removing anything too personal or irrelevant.
Third Draft: For the Critic: Address potential critiques, fact-check, and ensure that anything that might be misinterpreted is clarified.

4. Context is Crucial

Strauss notes that social media often takes statements out of context, leading to misunderstandings and judgment.

In long-form writing, however, writers have the chance to provide the necessary context to avoid misinterpretation.

“In a book or a long-form essay, you have the room for context, so you can explain what this thought is or this idea or this thing you did and where it came from and what the intention was and what the consequences were.” — Neil Strauss

Building Context in Writing:

Explain motives and consequences: Detail why you made certain choices and the outcomes.
Include background information: Help readers understand the situation or context in which events happened.
Control the narrative: By providing full context, you minimize the risk of misinterpretation and give readers a complete picture.

5. The Power of Sharing Secrets

Strauss reflects on the paradox of sharing secrets: while it feels risky, it often brings relief and a sense of freedom.

He likens the release of secrets to a weight being lifted, a cathartic experience that connects readers with the writer’s truth.

“Once I share it, I feel seen and safe because I have nothing to hide. As they say in AA, ‘You’re as sick as your secrets.’ By sharing those things, you feel relieved.” — Neil Strauss

Why Sharing Secrets Works:

Builds trust: Readers feel a stronger connection when writers share deeply personal truths.
Humanizes the writer: Revealing fears and vulnerabilities makes the writer relatable and authentic.
Breaks the stigma: When writers share truths others may hide, it can normalize and validate similar feelings in readers.

6. Writing for Different Audiences

Strauss has a unique process for creating drafts for three distinct audiences: himself, the reader, and the critic.

Each draft has a specific purpose and audience, which allows him to create a balanced, refined final product.

Three-Draft Method:

Draft One: For Yourself – Write freely, without worrying about judgment.
Draft Two: For the Reader – Clarify, simplify, and ensure the story flows and engages.
Draft Three: For the Critic – Address potential criticism, fact-check, and refine.

“Once the book’s all done and it’s the best book you can make it, then go back with your critics.” — Neil Strauss

7. Releasing Control: Letting the Story Guide You

Strauss describes how, during the writing process, there comes a point when the story takes on a life of its own.

Forcing it into a pre-set idea often stifles the natural flow of the narrative.

“There’s a point where you stop telling the book what it wants to be, and it starts telling you what it wants to be.” — Neil Strauss

How to Let the Story Lead:

Stay flexible: Don’t cling rigidly to initial ideas or outlines.
Follow the energy: Pay attention to the parts of the story that feel the most engaging and let those guide the narrative.
Trust the process: Sometimes, the story you’re meant to tell reveals itself only after you start writing.

8. Use Criticism Constructively

According to Strauss, criticism can be one of the most valuable tools for growth.

He approaches the “hater draft” last, where he steps into the shoes of a critic to ensure every possible flaw is addressed.

“So going back to your student is, ‘Cool, awesome. You delivered vulnerability to the page. Now let’s make that interesting to someone who doesn’t know you.'” — Neil Strauss

Embracing Criticism in Writing:

Think like a critic: Once the main draft is complete, re-read it as if you’re a skeptic.
Fact-check and refine: Use this stage to address any factual issues and clarify statements.
Balance honesty with responsibility: While authenticity is crucial, ensure you aren’t unintentionally causing harm or misunderstanding.

9. Finishing What You Start

In a story about John Lennon, Strauss highlights the importance of seeing a piece of writing through to completion. The advice? Stay in the creative mindset until you’ve finished a piece.

“John Lennon always said, ‘Once you start a song, don’t stand up till it’s finished.’ Keep your head in that thought process.” — Neil Strauss

Tips for Completing Projects:

Don’t break the flow: Staying in the creative zone helps preserve continuity.
Avoid procrastination: Set aside time to see a piece through to the end, rather than letting it linger.
Celebrate completion: Finishing a piece gives you momentum and confidence for the next one.

Conclusion

Writing authentically is a challenging but rewarding journey. As Strauss reveals, it requires vulnerability, courage, and the willingness to confront one’s deepest thoughts.
By balancing honesty with responsibility and refining each draft for a specific audience, writers can craft stories that resonate, connect, and impact readers. Strauss’s method demonstrates that authenticity in writing is about more than sharing—it’s about connecting to universal truths and presenting them in a way that is both meaningful and engaging.

(Source: “How I Write” Podcast with David Perell featuring Neil Strauss)