"A good day is when the flow starts to happen and you kind of lose yourself in it. But you cannot count on those days. So I'm a real believer in grinding — just get in there and take what the defense will give you." — Steven Pressfield
ORDER THE ARCADIAN HERE: https://amzn.to/4nYHV5e
Steven Pressfield is your favorite writer's favorite writer.
But years before his best-selling hits like Gates of Fire and The War of Art, Steven Pressfield didn't sell his first novel until he was 52. After over two decades of trying!
In Part 2 of our conversation, he and Rain dig into what kept him going, and what keeps him going still.
From his daily gym ritual to his philosophy on the Muse, from building a catalog instead of betting everything on one book to his relationship with mentor Robert McKee, this episode is a masterclass in the long game of creative work.
If you're in the weeds, struggling to finish, or wondering whether it's too late, this is the conversation you need to hear.
In this episode, you will learn to:
- Build a daily creative habit that beats Resistance even when inspiration doesn't show up
- Think in catalogs, not single projects, to take pressure off any one piece of work
- Use physical movement and morning routines as momentum for the creative work that follows
- Trust the Muse over the market — your least commercial idea may be your most resonant one
- Embrace the long game and stop measuring yourself against overnight success stories
Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor for this episode, Vocatales → https://www.vocatales.com
Links & Resources
Follow Steven Pressfield:
Website → https://www.stevenpressfield.com
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/steven_pressfield/
Book → The Arcadian by Steven Pressfield (out May 2025) https://amzn.to/4dA7yFJ
Book → A Man at Arms by Steven Pressfield https://amzn.to/4uvYojv
Book → Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield https://amzn.to/4nVT5aT
Book → The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield https://amzn.to/4tXWiYM
Book → The War of Art by Steven Pressfield https://amzn.to/43wWTWn
Person Referenced → Robert McKee
Person Referenced → Randy Wallace (screenwriter, Braveheart)
Person Referenced → Rick Rubin
Person Referenced → Jack Carr (thriller writer)
Nove/Film Referenced → Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir)
For more storytelling tips and strategies, visit:
Website → https://rainbennett.com
Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com
Or follow along at:
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Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett
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YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
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