Neil Strauss (Seduction Master’s Interview)

Neil hardly ever does email interviews, and has turned down multiple requests from big time newspapers. This is a special treat for you avid Attraction Chronicles readers. Enjoy! =)
Donovan

Thanks for doing this interview Neil. With all that’s been written and the media exposure of ‘The Game’, it seems pointless to ask you the typical PUA questions. So I have some others.
First off, why did you choose writing as a profession, and especially writing about culture?
It was an accident. It happened like a snowball rolling a hill. I think everyone always gets asked “Did you always want to be a writer/fireman/cook/blogger?” And when you’re young you want to be EVERYTHING. You make up your own radio and TV shows, you play with fire engines, you want to be a farmer, you go to work with a dad. So, in short, I suppose I could have just as easily been a farmer or a fire fighter. I learn quickly.
Tell me about the Stylelife Challenge that you’re doing.
I started a mailing list when the book came out at my www.neilstrauss.com website. And since then, I’ve gotten thousands upon thousands of really moving emails that I just don’t have the time to answer. So I thought it would be cool before I dove into the next book to spend 31 days helping the guys who need it most: the guys getting out of rough relationships, the 25-year-olds who’ve never had sex or a girlfriend, the people who are just petrified at the thought of talking to a woman. The event is going to take place from July 1 to July 31, and the challenge is for them to get a date in that time following the instructions and assignments I give them. It’s kind of a thank-you present to my VIP list for being really fucking cool and supportive and open.
You told us in ‘The Game’ that you had help from Steve Piccus, and his mate. How did that impact your self-esteem/outlook?
A lot of people ask me that. I think the hypnosis and deep inner-game work is something you should do AFTER getting social experience. You need to get out there and interact in order to identify what your internal sticking points are. Then, once they’re identified, you can take the steps necessary to fix them. The more specifically you can pinpoint your problems, the more accurately you can defeat and overcome them. I definitely think Steve gave me a huge leap forward in terms of feeling worthiness and letting go of fear. I still vividly remember spending all those hours with my eyes closed and him telling me to imagine crazy things, many of which involved excrement for some reason.
What is your favorite song on your iPod right now?
“Sargin” by DJ Dave and Turkish. They read The Game and made this hip-hop track. It’s on my Myspace profile (www.myspace.com/neilstrauss).
If you were entering the community, what specific methods would you use to get to where you are now?
There’s one chief rule for improving: hang out with someone who’s better than you. They don’t have to be the best, just better. I think guys wring their hands too much over “choosing” a method. Just try everything (most of it’s free online) and do what works for you. Immediately get started with SOMETHING, rather than standing at the deadly precipice of indecision. You can only learn from it, and it will eventually lead you to what’s right for you.
We try and stay positive with all aspects of our lives. But no matter the circumstances, there are some things we wish we could change atleast to a small degree. Do you have any regrets about finding the community?
Of course I have no regret about finding the community, because in the end it made me a much better, happier person. I think the community should be like college for guys: you stay in it for a few years, then move into the real world with the tools to succeed. I think it only gets counter-productive only when people spend more time gossiping or trying to impress each other than actually improving themselves.
If a guy was looking to establish an exclusive relationship, where should he focus his time? On club, day, or talk show game?
Definitely talk show game.
Actually, game to me is just for courtship and attraction. Whether you’re looking for a one-night stand or marriage, they all begin the same way – with two strangers meeting.
We know that being friends with ‘naturals’ increases our social skills, helps us meet more women within their social circle, and improves our ability to attract naturally. What steps do you recommend for befriending naturals that we come into contact with?
The best way to befriend a natural is to let him know that by hanging out with you, he can meet even more women. Game respects game.
I believe one of the biggest problems that guys have, is that they’re genuinely not interesting, and/or don’t have fun. What are some activities they could take up that would help them develop a more interesting lifestyle/attitude?
Good point. I always tell guys that the best way to meet women is to have something better than meeting women Every guy NEEDS to be doing something physical a few times a week – whether it’s working out, surfing, jogging, a sport, or a martial art. Traveling is also a key to become a deeper, richer person. But the most important thing is…not being self-conscious, because deep inside, we all know we’re interesting. Some of us are just uncomfortable sharing that side of themselves with strangers because they’re worried that they’ll be judged.
If you could live in any city/town/country in the world, politics, calamities, lover, and family aside, where would it be?
I haven’t found that place yet. But the three trips I’d most like to take that I haven’t done yet are New Zealand, Cuba, and a road trip across Russia.
It’s amazing to most of us that even some celebrities that you’ve talked briefly about have trouble attracting women into relationships. Of these, what in your opinion is the main reason some celebrities aren’t successful getting stable, beautiful, interesting women?
Here’s the thing: Almost every famous person I know can only choose from among the women who approach them. If they see a woman they’re attracted to, most of them don’t know how to break the ice. Or if they do, their way of accomplishing it is to send their manager or bodyguard over to say, “So-and-so would like to meet you”
In addition, a lot of them get LMR, with these types of women, because she’ll start asking them if they do this with all the girls. Some celebrities I’ve talked to actually have routines to deal with this – and they’re not unlike the community’s LMR routines.
What I’m more interested in is the women who end up dating these celebrities. I’ll see some on the arm of a different famous guy every night. I’d like to learn more about THEIR game.
When you want to escape the demands of being a best-selling author and quasi-celebrity figure, what do you do?
Feeding pigeons in the park, standing on street corners and shouting obscenities at passers-by, and sometimes even loading in a no-loading zone.
Many guys seem to have a problem with Day2’s and getting women out there at times (possibly because of no idea what to do). Could you give some interesting examples of your most successful Day2 activities?
Every Sunday when I was actively sarging, I’d map out my nightly activities for the week. This way, when I met someone I was interested in, I could invite her to tag along to the appropriate event or meal or shopping expedition or night out. Some guys do one-on-one coffee dates, but I prefer to bring her out in a small, fun group, so that after a few hours we yearn to break away and be alone together.
What has been your favorite film at the cinemas within the last 3 months?
The last great movie I saw was older than that. It was the documentary “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.” It’s chilling.
What guys from the community are you still close friends with?
I’m still close with a handful of great guys, and in communication with most others. I’ll always treasure the bonds I made. I really have a lot of gratitude, respect, and love for every single person in the book.
Thanks, we look forward to your continued influence in the community!
Popularity: 10%

Comment by Anonymous on 13 June 2006:
You guys Rock!
Comment by Anonymous on 15 June 2006:
http://www.myspace.com/neilstrauss
^^^
This is obviously NOT the myspace of Neil.
How about checking this BEFORE posting an article???
Comment by Donovan on 15 June 2006:
That’s the address that Neil typed in his interview in the EMAIL he sent to me. Maybe he forgot his own myspace account, or more likely, your WRONG.
Comment by Anonymous on 17 June 2006:
i think that if it is his account he doesnt maintain it but reather his publisher does.
Comment by dick mcqueen on 20 June 2006:
the profile’s set to private. an odd choice in my opinion.
Comment by Donovan on 20 June 2006:
I didnt know, I’m his friend.
Try adding him.
Comment by Anonymous on 2 September 2006:
This is a great interview, Donovan. Your questions are very interesting and it’s good to see that you don’t fall down to the questiontrap many others does. Keep it up!
Comment by spade on 2 February 2007:
The genuine spirit that Neil exudes is always refreshing. Thanks for a great interview. Best of luck on that Russian road trip. I just pulled off a trip from Des Moines to Philly which seemed longer than some of my most recent relationships.
Spade
Comment by Kris on 14 April 2007:
Whoever said that it isn’t his MySpace is on crack. He doesn’t maintain it himself (I don’t think he knows who does), but it is his and he does log on from time to time.
Comment by Gary on 25 April 2007:
Hey Donovan, just caught the interview from the Wikipedia link. You captured Neil’s persona really well in the questions, and ended up with some really helpful advice. Nice work.
Comment by Shure on 27 June 2007:
I just feel sad that whnen comes to guys, a lot of people out there get stuck on small details when someone is trying hard, openinge their hearts and sharing their wisdom! Appreciate it, say “thanks man” – don?t waste our time with arguments over “my space”-pages… I was gonna say something sarcastic here, but I?m passed that stage – wake up!
Comment by Amore on 7 September 2007:
“I believe one of the biggest problems that guys have, is that they’re genuinely not interesting, and/or don’t have fun.”
“Good point. I always tell guys that the best way to meet women is to have something better than meeting women”
Damn Right!!!
Comment by o'ryan on 14 October 2007:
i have been with a lot of women…i am 23 also had a ’session’ but the thing is i am in love with this particular female for over the past 5 years, she knows i feel for her and she like me too…but thats it. the problem is i am completely lost. i have never had such strong feelings for any girl so i guess thats why they have been so easy
Pingback by Next Big Project » Roosh V on 10 March 2008:
[...] 1. I want to thank my newest sponsor, The Seduction Chronicles. You’ll probably like posts such as Top 20 Date Idea “Templates” for Men, Favorite Cocky & Funny Lines, and Interview With Neil Strauss. [...]
Comment by Almoej on 6 August 2009:
i loved your book neil and after reading didnt even realise that i had been sarging women my whole life haha.. not as well as you and the fellas in the book but enough to get me laid and pickup quite often.. i plan to buy rules of the game and improve my pickup skills. you are the best mate! cheers for the interview donovan
Comment by Megan Donovan on 17 October 2009:
Neil your book is awesome and I really like the “sargin” song. Thanks also to seduction chronicles for this fantastic interview with Neil.