London Writers' Salon #192: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Battling Resistance, Hearing the Call of the Muse, Writing Memoir (From The Vault)
Steven Pressfield, bestselling novelist known for The War of Art and Gates of Fire, reflects on a long road to publication and the creative calling. He talks about battling Resistance, recognizing the muse’s signals, one-page outlining with the Foolscap Method, and why some stories need distance before you can write them.
58:30
Typewriter In The Van Symbolised A Deferred Dream
- Steven Pressfield carried a Smith Corona typewriter in his van for seven years as a physical symbol of the writing dream he feared to pursue.
- He kept it unused under junk, hated it, and finally took it out only after years of living the life he describes in Government Cheese.
Resistance Is A Relentless Internal Saboteur
- Pressfield defines self-sabotage as Resistance, a powerful, adaptive internal force that hits predictable points like before starting and at the finish line.
- Resistance can make you delete files or lose manuscripts because exposing work to judgment triggers fear of failure or success.
When In Doubt Assume It's Resistance And Finish
- When deciding whether doubt is legitimate or Resistance, use Pressfield's rule: when in doubt, it's usually Resistance — keep going and finish.
- He enforces finishing even bad projects because completion trains you to overcome Resistance.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Early years and the typewriter in the van
02:13 • 33sec
What sparked Pressfield's writing
02:46 • 2min
Long road to publication and screenwriting
05:06 • 2min
Resistance: the force of self-sabotage
07:03 • 2min
Distinguishing doubt from legitimate pullback
09:20 • 2min
Two-thirds doubt and finishing anyway
11:04 • 3min
Hero's journey and meaning in struggle
13:47 • 3min
Misunderstandings about Resistance
16:43 • 5min
Bigger shadow, bigger dream
21:40 • 10sec
When to write about pain
21:51 • 2min
Nobody wants to read your work—make it irresistible
23:47 • 3min
Why Pressfield writes about war
26:58 • 2min
Hearing the muse and idea arrivals
29:24 • 2min
Faithfulness to a project and the muse
31:42 • 58sec
How to listen for ideas
32:40 • 2min
The Foolscap Method overview
34:43 • 5min
Applying foolscap and winging it
39:25 • 43sec
Writing Government Cheese and self-doubt
40:08 • 2min
Day one of Government Cheese
41:50 • 1min
Hope for Government Cheese's readers
43:03 • 3min
Creating special editions and indie publishing
45:35 • 3min
Marketing indie books and what helps sales
48:32 • 4min
Meaning of the title 'Government Cheese'
52:09 • 3min
Believing in the muse and self-belief
54:43 • 2min
No mountaintop—practice and ongoing work
56:15 • 1min
Outro
57:27 • 55sec
#29984
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American JewBu
Emily Sigalow
string
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The Knowledge
How to Rebuild Our World from Scratch
Lewis Dartnell
This book serves as a quick-start guide for survivors of a global catastrophe, detailing the necessary knowledge to restart civilization.
It covers a wide range of topics including agriculture, food and clothing production, material science, medicine, power generation, transportation, communication, and chemistry.
Dartnell emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamental principles of science and technology and the scientific method to rebuild an advanced technological society.
The book is designed to help survivors navigate the immediate aftermath of a disaster and eventually rebuild a functioning society.
#36009
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The Afghan Campaign
Steven Pressfield
John Lee
The Afghan Campaign is a historical novel that vividly recreates Alexander the Great's invasion of the Afghan kingdoms.
Narrated by Matthias, a young soldier from Macedonia, the story explores the brutalities and challenges faced by Alexander's army as they confront fierce Eastern warriors.
The novel delves into themes of war, morality, and cultural clashes, drawing parallels with contemporary conflicts.
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This Might Work
Seth Godin
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Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t
Why That Is And What You Can Do About It
Stephen Pressfield
#29
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The War of Art
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors.
The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.
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• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The lion's gate
On the Front Lines of the Six Day War
Steven Pressfield
The Lion's Gate offers a unique perspective on the Six-Day War by combining oral histories from numerous participants with biographical insights into key figures like Moshe Dayan.
The book provides a gripping narrative that explores the experiences of soldiers and pilots during this pivotal conflict.
It blends historical facts with personal stories to create a compelling account of the war.
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Do the Work
Steven Pressfield
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Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be
Steven Pressfield
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The writer's journey
Mythic Structure for Writers
Christopher Vogler
This book details a twelve-stage, myth-inspired method for storytelling that has significantly influenced cinematic narrative.
Originally based on a memo Vogler wrote for Walt Disney Animation executives regarding 'The Lion King', the book expands on Joseph Campbell's 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' and provides a practical guide for writers using examples from myths, fairy tales, and classic movies.
It includes stages such as 'The Ordinary World', 'The Call to Adventure', 'Meeting with the Mentor', and 'The Resurrection', among others, and is widely acclaimed for its impact on screenwriting worldwide.
#3660
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Pilgrimage
Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways
Joanna Penn
#14730
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The profession
Steven Pressfield
Set in 2032, 'The Profession' by Steven Pressfield explores a world where private mercenary forces control global chaos.
The story centers around General James Salter, a brilliant military strategist who seeks revenge and power, and his loyal soldier Gilbert 'Gent' Gentilhomme, who must decide between loyalty and stopping Salter's destructive ambitions.
The novel combines modern warfare with timeless themes of honor and loyalty.
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Turning pro
tap your inner power and create your life's work
Steven Pressfield
In 'Turning Pro,' Steven Pressfield provides a practical and inspirational guide for entrepreneurs and creatives to shift from an amateur mindset to a professional one.
The book is divided into three parts: the first describes the addictive nature of the amateur, the second paints a vision of what it means to be a pro, and the third focuses on cultivating professionalism.
Pressfield emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear, self-doubt, and procrastination, and adopting habits such as discipline, regularity, and a constant striving for excellence.
He also discusses the concept of 'shadow careers' and the need to align one's work with their true calling for authentic fulfillment.
#8264
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Tides of War
Steven Pressfield
Tides of War is a historical epic that delves into the complexities of the Peloponnesian War, focusing on the intertwined lives of Alcibiades, a brilliant but flawed leader, and Polemides, an Athenian soldier and assassin.
The novel explores the political intrigues, naval battles, and personal struggles that defined this pivotal conflict in ancient Greece.
Drawing from historical sources like Thucydides and Plato, Pressfield crafts a vivid and engaging narrative.
#167
• Mentioned in 137 episodes
The Creative Act
A Way of Being
Rick Rubin
In *The Creative Act: A Way of Being*, Rick Rubin distills the wisdom he has gained from a lifetime of working with artists across various genres.
The book is not just about music production but about the broader creative process and how it applies to everyone's life.
Rubin emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with a state of innocence, being aware of the world, and tapping into what he calls 'Source'—an infinite and constant flow of ideas and inspiration.
The book is structured around 78 areas of thought, providing practical wisdom, philosophical insights, and encouragement for anyone seeking to enhance their creative expression.
#10705
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Virtues of War
Steven Pressfield
The Virtues of War is a historical novel by Steven Pressfield that follows Alexander the Great's life, told through his own voice as he recounts his campaigns and battles to a young scribe.
The novel explores Alexander's philosophy of war and leadership, portraying him as a complex figure driven by both ambition and compassion.
It delves into his conquests from Greece to India, highlighting his military genius and personal struggles.
#591
• Mentioned in 58 episodes
Gates of fire
Steven Pressfield
Gates of Fire tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of Xeones, a wounded Greek soldier who recounts his life and the events leading up to the battle.
The novel explores Spartan culture, the rigorous training regimen known as the *agoge*, and the heroic stand of the Spartans against the overwhelming forces of the Persian Empire.
The story is framed as a series of interviews between Xeones and members of the Persian court, detailing the battle and its aftermath, as well as the personal and philosophical aspects of Spartan warfare and culture.
#1757
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
The Legend of Bagger Vance
Steven Pressfield
In the Depression year of 1931, on the golf links at Krewe Island off Savannah's windswept shore, golf legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen meet for a mesmerizing thirty-six-hole showdown.
They are joined by a local unsung opponent, the troubled war hero Rannulph Junah, who is guided by his caddie and mentor, the mysterious and charismatic Bagger Vance.
Vance holds the secret of the Authentic Swing and his mysterious powers guide the play, leaving a lasting imprint on the lives he touches.
The story is a sports fable that reveals that, in life as well as golf, the real battle is not with outside opponents but with oneself.
#36687
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Last of the Amazons
Steven Pressfield
In 'Last of the Amazons', Steven Pressfield crafts a gripping tale of love, war, and cultural conflict, set in a time before Homer.
The novel follows Theseus, King of Athens, as he encounters the Amazons, leading to a war that tests the boundaries of civilization and savagery.
Pressfield vividly recreates the Amazon nation, its rituals, and its people, offering a compelling exploration of ancient cultures.
#16315
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Govt Cheese
A Memoir
Steven Pressfield
In 'Govt Cheese: A Memoir', Steven Pressfield shares his personal odyssey of becoming a writer.
The book chronicles his 27-year struggle, during which he worked various jobs such as cab driver, mechanic, apple picker, long haul trucker, screenwriter, and more.
Pressfield provides a brutally honest account of his experiences, offering valuable insights into the publishing and movie industries.
The memoir is a testament to his perseverance and his philosophy of overcoming self-sabotage, which he terms 'Resistance'.
It is an inspirational and insightful read for anyone interested in writing and the creative life.
#33632
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Killing Rommel
Steven Pressfield
Set in North Africa during World War II, 'Killing Rommel' follows the British Long Range Desert Group as they embark on a perilous mission to eliminate the brilliant German commander Erwin Rommel.
The novel explores themes of camaraderie, survival, and the 'Warrior Code' amidst the harsh desert environment.
It combines historical accuracy with fictional elements to deliver a gripping narrative of war and personal transformation.
Bestselling author Steven Pressfield on what it means to have a creative calling, battling resistance, the role of faith in writing, and his memoir Govt Cheese. A remastered version of episode #058.
You'll learn:
- Why a typewriter sat untouched in the back of a van for seven years before becoming a career.
- How self-sabotage shows up at the finish line, not just at the start.
- A rule of thumb for telling resistance apart from legitimate doubt.
- Why the more important a project is, the more terrifying it should feel.
- When you can finally write about pain, and why distance matters more than rawness.
- How an idea for a book might arrive as a single sentence and refuse to leave.
- A one-page method for outlining a novel, and why one page is enough.
- What John Keats's concept of negative capability can teach a writer in the dark middle of a draft.
- The metaphor that reframes writers as delivery drivers rather than creators.
- Why faith in the muse matters most when the writing feels too good to be your own.
Resources & Links
- 📄 Transcript (unedited)
- Govt Cheese
- The War of Art
- Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be
- Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t
- "This Might Not Work" – Seth Godin
- The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler
- Steve's 'passage through the wilderness' series on Instagram
- The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
- The Foolscap Method Instagram videos
- John Keats's concept of 'Negative Capability'
- Joanna Penn
About Steven Pressfield
Steven Pressfield (@SPressfield) is the author of The War of Art, which has sold over a million copies globally and been translated into multiple languages. He is a master of historical fiction, with Gates of Fire being on the required reading list at West Point and the recommended reading list of the Joint Chiefs. His other books include A Man at Arms, Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Artist's Journey, Tides of War, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion's Gate, The Warrior Ethos, The Authentic Swing, An American Jew, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, The Knowledge, and his memoir Govt Cheese.
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