Why the best characters don’t even know they’re characters—and how Lewis brings them to life
Michael Lewis is the undisputed heavyweight champion of narrative non-fiction. Best known for his riveting explorations of complex systems and human nature—think Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Big Short, and Going Infinite—he combines deep reporting with razor-sharp storytelling. In this conversation with Guy Raz, Lewis takes us behind the curtain, revealing how he crafts characters, battles procrastination, and finds stories in the chaos of everyday life. From his early days as a Wall Street outsider to his forays into the emotional landscapes of grief and resilience, this discussion is both a masterclass in storytelling and a deeply personal reflection on creativity and loss.
The Lowdown:
Crafting Characters: It’s about who fascinates you. Authenticity is key; the best subjects often don’t see themselves as characters.
Writer’s Block Solution: Structure trumps fear. Lewis outlines his story before he writes, always with an ending in mind.
Curiosity Fuels Stories: Observing the world without judgment and pinning down potential ideas leads to the gold mines of storytelling.
Grief and Resilience: Processing profound loss involves framing it, often with love and improvisation. Lewis isn’t done exploring this yet.
"I Was a Dumb Kid Who Got C's in English"
Finding writing was serendipitous.
Lewis never saw himself as a writer growing up; basketball or baseball seemed more likely futures.
A college thesis on Donatello’s sculptures ignited his passion for writing, but his advisor quipped he’d never make a living from it.
Despite no formal training or encouragement, he pursued writing, submitting articles “willy-nilly” until editors started noticing.
Wall Street was never the goal; even while working at Salomon Brothers, Lewis knew it was temporary.
Quote:"When I sat down to write, time just went away. That’s when I knew I had to keep doing it." — Michael Lewis
"How Did You Land on Your Voice?"
You don’t craft it—you block out the noise.
Early on, Lewis avoided reading writers like Orwell or Wolfe while working, fearing their voices would overpower his own.
It’s about sounding like yourself on the page. Self-consciousness stifles authenticity.
Hunter S. Thompson’s later years, where he surrounded himself with his own quotes for inspiration, served as a cautionary tale.
Quote:"I’ve never had to think about my voice—it’s just what naturally comes out when I write." — Michael Lewis
"Who Should Be the Center of This Story?"
Characters must surprise and sustain your interest.
Lewis chooses subjects by following his gut: does this person keep him coming back for more?
Overly self-aware subjects tend to lose their allure on the page.
The best characters often don't view themselves as special, which gives the reader room to connect.
Quote:"The quickest way for a character to lose elevation is to think of themselves as a character." — Michael Lewis
"You Have to Stick a Pin in the Idea"
Manila folders are his secret weapon.
Lewis keeps physical manila folders for every potential story idea.
Some contain a single note or phrase; others become the foundation of bestselling books like Moneyball.
Observing disparities (like salaries in baseball) and asking simple questions ("How does this affect relationships?") often lead to major insights.
Quote:"I don’t know where most ideas will go, but I don’t want to forget them." — Michael Lewis
"The Blind Side Happened by Accident"
Sometimes, the best stories come to you.
Lewis visited old friend Sean Tuohy while researching a piece on their high school baseball coach. In Tuohy’s home, he met Michael Oher.
A year later, he realized the layers of Oher’s story: family, football strategy, and how societal forces shaped his value.
The story clicked when an NFL star, Dwight Freeney, said, “Tell Michael Oher I’ll be waiting for him.”
Quote:"The Blind Side wasn’t a story I planned—it unfolded slowly over time." — Michael Lewis
"You Don’t Know What Grief Will Become"
Love reframes loss.
After losing his daughter Dixie, Lewis focused on navigating grief his way, rejecting conventional wisdom or therapy.
His raw experiences and reflections fill a drawer, waiting for the right time and medium.
A potential one-man show could explore his evolving relationship with loss.
Quote:"The natural way to respond to loss is with love. That’s what I’m learning." — Michael Lewis
Quickfire
Q: How do you overcome procrastination?
I put my ass in the chair and write. No exceptions.
Q: Do you ever feel tempted to keep researching reporting instead of writing?
The story tells me when it’s time to stop—usually when I find the ending.
Q: What’s the secret to a great story?
A strong beginning, a clear end, and characters who take readers somewhere unexpected.
Michael Lewis’s ability to transform real-life complexity into compelling narratives is unmatched. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or just love a good story, his insights remind us that great stories are everywhere—you just have to look.
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