David Baldacci: How to Write Books That Actually Sell | How I Write

Prolific novelist David Baldacci details his intuitive approach to storytelling, emphasizing the "big pop" technique—a method of subverting reader expectations early in a narrative to establish authorial control. Rather than relying on rigid outlines, he writes linearly, allowing characters to evolve through personal "baggage" and internal conflict. Effective dialogue remains sparse and purposeful, serving to advance the plot or reveal character depth rather than provide exposition. Beyond craft, Baldacci highlights the necessity of treating writing as a business, advocating for fair royalty structures and active engagement in marketing. He frames books as "body armor against bigotry," noting that his own development as a writer was shaped by a lifelong commitment to reading the masters and observing human nature, which ultimately allows him to create authentic, resonant narratives that connect with a mass audience.