Foundations of Creation

#27 - Writing Lessons From Anthony Bourdain


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August 9, 2024

This episode we discuss the different value of each of the components of content creation and how best to split your efforts, and when to shoot horizontal vs vertical.

Then we get into a new writing exercise with Ryan using examples of Anthony Bourdain’s writing. We look at his first ever published article, and the evolution of his TV show intros. Analyzing revealed:

  • Powerful use of the negative: Pointing out what’s not there
  • How he added emotion to everything, big or small to make the writing engaging and tangible
  • Weaving a world of excitement then only after, introducing himself as a player in that world. Interesting not for himself, but for his membership in a world you’ve already been entranced with.
  • Together we discuss how these techniques could be applied to the script for Ryan’s podcast intro, for his Season 3 revision.

    Good concrete examples of theory put into practice. I learned a lot from this episode and had a lot of fun as well. I hope you do too.

    Thanks to Ryan for the great plan.

    Let us know what emotion you’re building into your next content.

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    Foundations of CreationBy Ethan Smith