Write Like a Prolific Maniac: Anthony Burgess’ Brutal, Hard-Nosed Writing Advice

Anthony Burgess was one of the most prolific, disciplined, and stylistically daring writers of the 20th century. In this video, we explore Anthony Burgess’ writing advice, drawn from his essays, interviews, and working habits, to understand how he produced more than 50 books without waiting for inspiration.

Best known for A Clockwork Orange, Earthly Powers, Nothing Like the Sun, and The End of the World News, Burgess believed that language comes before psychology, routine before motivation, and craft before comfort. His signature style—musical, multilingual, satirical, and often confrontational—was shaped by strict daily word counts and a deep grounding in linguistics, literature, and music.

This video breaks down Burgess views on discipline, speed, style, and work ethic. If you’re interested in writing faster, thinking harder, and finishing serious work, this is unsentimental advice from a writer who treated writing as a job—and mastered it.