Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Steven Pressfield was 52 years old when he published his first hit novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Prior to that, he wrote tirelessly for decades in obscurity, supporting himself with odd jobs along the way.
After writing several more novels and movie scripts, he distilled all of his wisdom into The War of Art, his now-famous treatise on the grinding process of creativity.
Now in his 80s, Steven looks back on his work and life with a clear-eyed view of what it truly means to make it as a creative professional. In this episode, he explains why he persisted writing for decades with little to show for it, how he compensated for his own lack of talent, why creating great art is actually a grueling war fought within the artist’s own mind, and much, much more.
Enjoy.
Steven’s new book, The Daily Pressfield: stevenpressfield.com
All of Steven’s books: amazon.com/stores/author/B000AQ8R8Q/allbooks
Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: markmanson.net/breakthrough
0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:13 Persisting at writing... for decades
0:06:40 The Resistance
0:14:23 Patience when facing The Resistance
0:22:12 Is The Resistance actually a good thing?
0:26:52 Turning Pro
0:32:22 How much do hard work, skill, and talent matter?
0:40:48 Does great art require suffering?
0:44:57 How Steven's military experience influences his work
0:49:52 Honoring your muse
0:56:04 What writers can learn from advertising
0:58:08 The Daily Pressfield
instagram.com/markmanson
twitter.com/IAmMarkManson
facebook.com/Markmansonnet
linkedin.com/in/markmanson
tiktok.com/@iammarkmanson
Steven Pressfield was 52 years old when he published his first hit novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Prior to that, he wrote tirelessly for decades in obscurity, supporting himself with odd jobs along the way.
After writing several more novels and movie scripts, he distilled all of his wisdom into The War of Art, his now-famous treatise on the grinding process of creativity.
Now in his 80s, Steven looks back on his work and life with a clear-eyed view of what it truly means to make it as a creative professional. In this episode, he explains why he persisted writing for decades with little to show for it, how he compensated for his own lack of talent, why creating great art is actually a grueling war fought within the artist’s own mind, and much, much more.
Enjoy.
Steven’s new book, The Daily Pressfield: stevenpressfield.com
All of Steven’s books: amazon.com/stores/author/B000AQ8R8Q/allbooks
Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: markmanson.net/breakthrough
0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:13 Persisting at writing... for decades
0:06:40 The Resistance
0:14:23 Patience when facing The Resistance
0:22:12 Is The Resistance actually a good thing?
0:26:52 Turning Pro
0:32:22 How much do hard work, skill, and talent matter?
0:40:48 Does great art require suffering?
0:44:57 How Steven's military experience influences his work
0:49:52 Honoring your muse
0:56:04 What writers can learn from advertising
0:58:08 The Daily Pressfield
instagram.com/markmanson
twitter.com/IAmMarkManson
facebook.com/Markmansonnet
linkedin.com/in/markmanson
tiktok.com/@iammarkmanson
