TED Talks are amazing speeches in an almost infinite number of topics. They can inform and inspire you in your writing career, or they can suck you in and keep you fascinated for an entire afternoon. They're that good. The number of talks is constantly growing; the list topped 2,000 in June of 2015. As with any varied list of that size, you're likely to find speeches on any topic. TED Talks are all available on YouTube. Narrowing down your choices is the problem right now. If you're looking for TED Talks to inspire your writing and push your career forward, you can't go wrong with this selection.
Your Elusive Creative Genius by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert, the author of the international bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, talks about the problems authors face in their own minds, and how they can use "genius" as a writing partner to further their work. She speaks about how an author's job is writing, one they need to show up for daily and not fear. She shows how to fight through doubt and uncertainty to break through and get more writing done.
Be an Artist, Right Now! by Young-Ha Kim
Young-Ha Kim is the author of six successful books, and his talk focuses on the ways authors write and the techniques used to finish their work. His theory is that writing a novel is merely a process of writing one sentence at a time, all the while making sure they all fit together. Never one for moderation, he advises authors to write like crazy, never stopping to think or edit until the work is done.
The Clues to a Great Story by Andrew Stanton
Stanton, a veteran at Pixar, gives what's billed as a presentation on animation, but he ends up telling authors a lot about what makes a great story plot. This Talk is entertaining as well as informative, including some top-notch animation clips. His main theme, that it's the job of an author to instill a sense of wonder in the reader, is one everyone who writes should take to heart.
Try Something New for 30 Days by Matt Cutts
Procrastination is a problem with almost every writer around, and it's one of the biggest roadblocks stopping you from finishing your next book. Matt Cutts aims to convince you how to get rid of the excuses in your life and get on with what you need to be doing. He outlines 30 day challenges to break bad habits and get your life back on more solid ground, showing how it takes very little actual discipline to transform yourself into the author you want to be.
Keep the Faith and May the Force be with You!