Susan Orlean: Award-Winning Writer Explains Her Entire Process | How I Write

David Perell interviews Susan Orlean, a nonfiction writer, about her writing process. Orlean describes her intentional approach to research, writing, and editing, including using index cards to structure her stories and organize information thematically. She emphasizes the importance of a compelling lead to hook readers, especially when writing about niche subjects, and the need to balance personal excitement with the reader's need to know. Orlean also discusses the challenges of writing a memoir versus writing about other people, the value of brutal self-editing, and the importance of being deeply curious and in love with the subject matter when choosing a book topic. She advocates for a disciplined writing routine with daily word quotas to manage the overwhelming nature of writing a book, and views libraries as vital community centers for knowledge.