Ben Mezrich
Author of Once Upon A Time In Russia
Discussion
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
Hi, I'm Ben Mezrich, I'm the author of sixteen books including Bringing Down The House, which was made into the movie '21', and The Accidental Billionaires, which was made into The Social Network. My latest book is Once Upon A Time In Russia, about the rise of the Russian oligarchs- but I'm happy to talk about anything!
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Ryan Hoover
@rrhoover · Founder, Product Hunt
I've had a small amount of experience writing a book and recognize the HUGE amount of work it takes (or maybe that's just me). Having written 16 books, does it get easier? Any pro tips for aspiring authors, Ben?
Ben Basche
@basche42 · Product Marketing at Layer
@benmezrich Do you think that Khodorkovsky will go into politics?
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@basche42 good question! i think it's a dangerous game but I could see it happening
Ben Basche
@basche42 · Product Marketing at Layer
@benmezrich Relatedly, are the siloviki still firmly in control of Russia?
Erik Torenberg
@eriktorenberg · Former Product Hunt
What's the process for when one of your books turns into a movie? What's your advice for other authors who are getting approached for the rights?
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@eriktorenberg Basically i sell the book andm ovie simultaneously, then i consult on the screenplay...
Lukas Fittl
@lukasfittl · Product Hunt
@benmezrich You've written a lot of great books! :)
Ever been having trouble with writer's block? Any specific advice you can give to get through it?
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@lukasfittl Well not writers block exactly, as in sitting in front of the computer not writing. It's more not wanting to write at all and watching copious amounts of netflix instead.
Jeff Needles
@jsneedles · BI @ Meerkat & Maker of Things
Did Mark Zuckerberg ever say anything to you about 'The Social Network' or the book it’s based on?
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@jsneedles Yes through intermediaries. Zuckerberg did not like it, and called me the Jackie Collins of Silicon Valley through his pr people. In the end i think he did come around after the Socail Network. But he felt it was not the story he wanted to tell about that first year of face book.
Ben Tossell
@bentossell · Community Lead, Product Hunt
@benmezrich What's something you want readers to walk away with after reading the book on Russia?
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@bentossell How crazy and intense that era was, how ambitious and frightening berezovsky was, and just to know the story
Hash_tag_jeff
@jeffumbro · Book Marketing and PR - get in touch
Hey @BenMezrich - You have a pretty dynamic relationship with select producers in Hollywood after the success of some of your previous works. How has this effected your writing process and how is it different from any other writers you know?
Hash_tag_jeff
@jeffumbro · Book Marketing and PR - get in touch
@jeffumbro Also any updates on Seven Wonders?
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@jeffumbro I usually write my books knowing they will be movies, but I've always kind of done that
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@jeffumbro Also seven wonders is moving quite fast, we have a finished script and the studio loves it.
Melissa Joy Kong
@melissajoykong · Content, Product Hunt
Hi @benmezrich! I'm in the middle of writing a (non-fiction) book myself about what I learned from 100 of the best couples I met around America. Do you have any advice for the process or researching, organizing, and writing non-fiction? I've tried plotting an entire outline of the book, but that method felt a bit too rigid. Intensely curious about your book writing process.
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Ben Mezrich
@benmezrich
@melissajoykong Cool! I start with a proposal, which is usually about 20 pages long. Then i write an outline, very specific, chapter by chapter. Then i do the research, which takes 3 months or so. And when i start writing i just try and write as much as i can every day. sometimes 8-12 pages...
Melissa Joy Kong
@melissajoykong · Content, Product Hunt
@benmezrich On average, page one to final draft submission, how long does it take you to finish a book?
Ayrton De Craene
@ayrton · Code @ Product Hunt
Sixteen books! 😱 How long does it take you on average do draft up one book and how long until you're actually finished and decide to release?