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Since Andy Weir was a boy, he wanted to be a writer. But like most, success didn’t come easy.

His first “claim to fame” finally came with The Egg, a thousand-word story that went viral.

His latest bookThe Martian was first published as a serial, one chapter at a time on his website. He had only a few thousand readers.

There were many things about the book I wanted to understand more so I called up Andy and asked him if I could ask him the questions in front of the listeners to my podcast. He was very kind and did so.

It was his first published book but he had been writing for years. That’s how it goes.

He self-published “The Martian” in 2011 after everyone rejected it. He started writing it and researching it in 2009.

Once he published it it got so popular (35,000 copies in 3 months) that Random House bought it and republished it in 2014 where it quickly went on every bestseller list. Then Ridley Scott scooped up the movie rights and Matt Damon is starring.

Very exciting!

At the end of our discussion I asked Andy his three tips for writers.

I said it would be for my listeners, but really I was asking for my own personal benefit. He said, “I would love to give you three tips,” and he did.

I’m going to spoil the show, but I hope you listen anyways. The 3 tips were:

  1. It’s easy to daydream about your story but you have to sit down and write.
  1. Resist the urge to tell your story to your friends and family.
  1. This is the best time in history to be a writer. Today, you can bypass the gatekeepers.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Andy’s daily writing habits
  • The books and authors of which Andy is a fan.
  • What is next for Andy Weir
  • Why Andy is afraid of being a one hit wonder

Sometimes I feel like the character in “The Martian”. Stranded and left behind on a strange world where I have to learn to survive.

Fortunately books help me connect back. And when I land back on Earth I have new stories to share. Stories I gained without even leaving my couch.

Thanks so much for listening!

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