Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So I live in Stoke-on-Trent, England, and have worked 9-5 as a software developer for a few years, which probably doesn’t sound very related to book-writing! But I’ve always had a passion for stories, and it’s long been a dream of mine to write and tell my own great stories. The 24 Laws of Storytelling is my first published book completely of my own making, but I’ve also contributed to a book on postal services published by the UN in 2012. That might sound like quite a random topic, but writing a whole chapter for a book, getting paid for it, and seeing it print was an amazing feeling. It’s always incredibly awesome to see your hard work manifest into something real and tangible you can hold in your hands. With my latest book I hope to help others create that same feeling of accomplishment for themselves.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is called The 24 Laws of Storytelling: A Practical Handbook for Great Storytellers. As the title implies, it’s a non-fiction book on fiction writing that uses stories and historical examples to show you the timeless principles of stories that created immersive experiences and emotional resonance in their audiences. It’s perfect for all kinds of writers, novelists, and film-makers, and I wrote it primarily to give them a toolbox of strategies to help make their stories great. It’s also my first ever book that I’ve published.
When I started out writing, my first goal was actually to write fiction. But all the storytelling books I read were either too linear or too woolly and unfocused. With the former, I hated that each chapter was prefaced with a dozen definitions. You should never need to do that, tell a story that conveys the lessons instead. With the latter, I felt like I’d read 200 pages of the author stroking their own ego without gaining any practical advice.
So with 24 Laws I set out to write the kind of practical handbook I wish I’d been able to learn from when starting out. One that eschews definitions and preaching, and instead actually embraces the very medium we’re trying to study: stories. Every chapter is self-contained, can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone, and includes at least one story or historical example. My goal was to make it both practical and entertaining, something I always have in my sights when writing anything: you’re writing for someone else to gain, not for yourself to stroke your own ego.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a pretty obsessive Plotter, and I love doing research and outlining. It’s like planning the grand strategy for a military campaign. I’m much more interested in learning strategies than individual tricks and tactics. A detailed, thorough outline actually makes the writing process easier: instead of having to summon immense creative energies every day you try to write, the drafting process becomes more of a mechanical process. You avoid writer’s block and have a lot more confidence in where you’re going. Maybe the overall process takes as long or longer than Pantsing, but I’m 100% sure that it more consistently produces more satisfying results.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So my biggest writing influence is the non-fiction author Robert Greene. His method of writing books has two key aspects: 1) using historical stories to convey a lesson, and 2) speaking in a direct, authoritative tone to the reader. The first aspect makes it so much easier for the reader to absorb your book’s lessons, because a good story naturally leads you down a path where your mind is open to receive new knowledge. A story gets under the reader’s skin, and repeated rereads make this effect exponential over time. The second aspect both conveys confidence in the material and also stirs a reaction in the reader. I knew that by claiming that there are “Laws” of storytelling, I’d unsettle a few people in the writing community, and that’s actually a good thing: an emotional person is more likely to talk and think about your book.
What are you working on now?
My next book, though I can’t reveal the title or precise topic just yet, is going to be more on history and warfare. I’m covering real events in history, and the lessons we can learn from them and apply to our own lives. There’s a clear difference there with 24 Laws where I studied fictional stories, but even with a real event there are a thousand interpretations and instructive examples. I’m learning more about history, a subject that I love, and gaining a greater appreciation for the ups and downs of human progress. Can you tell how much I love the research and outlining phase?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub.com, 100%. The ROI is amazing. If you’ve invested in a great, eye-catching cover, their announcement service will take your book to #1 Best Seller in your category. Every other promotion service I’ve tried has largely been a waste of money. I’d encourage you to try other methods too: if you lose money, don’t think of it as a loss per se, but be happy that you have more data and intel on what works best. I also spent a year before publishing 24 Laws building an email newsletter list. When my book came out, I announced it to 1,500 fantastic storytelling fans. That no doubt contributed to my book’s initial sales.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1) Plan, research, and outline. This will make it so much easier on yourself down the line. Writing becomes less about summoning immense creative energies every day, and more about producing actual work.
2) Make your book (or other work) either extremely entertaining or extremely practical.
3) Yes, people do judge books by their covers, as much as we hate to admit it. I invested a lot into my book’s cover, and it’s no doubt contributed to its sales.
4) As Anne Lamott puts it in her classic book on writing, great creative works we can be proud of aren’t produced in an immense burst of great genius, but Bird by Bird. Piece by piece. Day by day. Word by word.
5) Find a great, independent copy-editor and listen to her advice. Don’t take any of it personally, her job is to make your work great, so let her do just that.
6) If you have an idea that you love, don’t ever think “Oh, someone’s covered this before.” No one can write in your unique style, or approach it with your perspective. Just write to your heart’s content and let your own style flourish.
7) Finish projects. Don’t let things stew in unfinished Word documents or Evernote folders. Writers write, so do that.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
1) Start an email list with a weekly newsletter. This advice gets drummed into us every day, but it’s so true. Having to write a fresh, entertaining, and useful newsletter for my list every week keeps my writing skills sharp, and reminds me who I’m writing for.
2) Avoid shortcuts, the only path is through. I learned this from Mastery by Robert Greene, a life-changing book for any creator. Robert makes the bold claim that if you’re only after shortcuts, hacks, and the path of least resistance, then you’re eminently unsuited for mastery. It sounds harsh but it’s so true: the only secret is the work.
3) Tell stories, don’t preach. It’s so much better for conveying a lesson. This applies equally to fiction and non-fiction authors.
4) Pay attention. In my earlier years I always had a problem with dissipated focus. I’d have all these great ideas but never executed well on them: this was discouraging and frustrating. Taking the advice of many sources and focusing on my work has paid dividends for myself and hopefully my readers.
What are you reading now?
So my friend Kristen Kieffer (@kristen_kieffer) recommended the fiction book The Song of Achilles, which I’m about a quarter of the way into. It’s not my usual genre, I can tell you that! But it’s good so far. I’m also reading A Lab of One’s Own by Patricia Fara, and re-reading The Joyous Science by Friedrich Nietzsche.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing! I have several more book ideas planned after this next one on history. I currently have a 9-5 job which provides a great, safe income, but if I could live entirely off my writing that would be a dream come true, and I’m working hard towards making that a reality. I’m also planning to do some speaking in 2019 and start a YouTube channel, so stay tuned!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1) Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. There’s no doubt that, stranded on an island, I’d need some Stoic teachings to keep me calm and rational.
2) The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. If I’m stranded, I’m unlikely to have anyone to interact with, so I’d like a book that reminds me of the social game I’m missing out on.
3) Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. Like #1, I’m going to need some guidance on meaning and survival while stranded on this island.
4) Does a notebook count? I love writing notes, plotting, and thinking so this would also help keep me sane and plan my way off the island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jonathan Baldie Website
Jonathan Baldie Amazon Profile
Jonathan Baldie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account