3 Writing Lessons From Bestselling Author Jeff Pearlman

“Jeff, nobody wants a f***ing USFL book.”

- Jeff Pearlman’s Agent

For nearly a decade, that was the market for Jeff Pearlman’s passion project: nobody. But Pearlman, already the author of several New York Times-bestsellers, had a plan. He’d take less money to write a book about Brett Favre if it meant he could write the book he’d wanted to write since his high school English teacher wrote, at the top of a paper about the USFL, “I think there’s more to this story.”

Then, after Jeff finished the book and handed it in, the former owner of the New Jersey Generals was elected President of the United States, and Jeff found himself with the story everybody wants.

Jeff visited us at Writers Blok to talk about his new book, Football For a Buck. He left us with three main takeaways: find a routine, send your book to anyone who will take it, and give yourself a deadline.

1. On the subject of finding a routine

Long before the pressure of having a publisher, Jeff set himself the goal of 1,000 words by the end of every day. It kept him writing, even when it was more pain than pleasure.

It seems to have worked out alright.

2. Send your book to anyone who will take it

Writing is meant to be read. Jeff spoke about the power of bringing meaning to a subject simply by writing about it. So, when you have something written, give it to anyone who will read it. Friends, family, strangers. Just be sincere when you give it to them.

3. Give yourself a deadline, even if you don’t have one

Whether it’s weight loss or washing the dishes, reading a book or writing one yourself, you need accountability. A deadline gives you that. Having a publisher breathing down your neck helps, Jeff admitted, but there’s nothing wrong with creating a deadline for yourself, especially if it gets you over the finish line.

If you missed Jeff, there are plenty more chances to gather wisdom at Writers Blok, at one of these Q&As:

Thursday, September 27: ABC Vice-President and Head of Comedy Jamila Hunter

Tuesday, October 9: Crackle GM Eric Berger

Wednesday, October 10: Ozark writer Paul Kolsby

Monday, October 22: Crazy Rich Asians screenwriter Adele Lim

Writers Blok is a co-writing space and community in Los Angeles. To learn more about us, visit writersblok.org.