Last year, the renowned New Yorker writer David Grann spoke with Nieman Storyboard about his book, The Wager. During the interview, Grann was asked how he continually discovers stories that many writers would aspire to find, even just once in their lifetime.
Here’s Grann's reply:
“Finding the right idea is the most challenging aspect. Initially, you seek a story that captivates you and features intriguing subjects. Then, you consider: Are there underlying materials available to tell that narrative?… The third level of questioning is: Does the story possess additional layers, richer themes, or hidden pathways that lead you in unexpected directions?”
He also mentioned:
“I engage in a preliminary phase rigorously interrogating ideas as I encounter them, even though it can be time-consuming and somewhat frustrating. I don’t want to wake up two years into a book project thinking, ‘This isn’t progressing.’”
These remarks struck me because their significance goes beyond writing, touching on the broader issue of fostering depth in a world increasingly enveloped in digital superficiality.
In life, the deep undertakings that liberate us from superficiality—whether by transforming our careers into something extraordinary or enriching our personal lives—demand a significant investment of time and effort. This involves:
- Diligence – the commitment to pursue the endeavor for months or even years; and
- Deliberateness – the readiness to engage in the specific activities that genuinely contribute to progress, even when they are challenging, and there are other more appealing tasks to accomplish instead.
Given these requirements, it’s common to either lose interest in such projects as they progress or feel so daunted by the path ahead that one never begins in the first place.
Grann’s insights provide assistance with both challenges. By setting a high standard for evaluating a deep project—scrutinizing, researching, and thoroughly examining the reality of a pursuit before deeming it worthwhile—you will naturally consider fewer ideas seriously. Those that do pass through this rigorous process will be so engaging that you’re much more inclined to start and remain committed to them.
This prior vetting process is often overlooked when discussing significant goals. Voices within the online “hustle culture” frequently emphasize activity for its own sake: Get moving! Procrastination is for the weak! In contrast, skilled artisans like Grann recognize that the essence of achieving deep success lies in the patient quest for the right topic.
Last year, the esteemed New Yorker author David Grann discussed his book, The Wager, with Nieman Storyboard. The interviewer inquired about Grann's methods for...