Before book sales and PR buzz, your favorite writers began with two things: the blank page and an idea. Each week on How I Write, we go behind-the-scenes with today’s top writers to uncover the meta-mechanics of writing and the lifestyle behind it. You’ll be the first to hear writers deconstruct their creative process: from banging their head on the keyboard to marking the last period of their final draft. Victory. Come discover how great writing is made. And who knows? Maybe you’ll be next. New episodes of the How I Write show go live every week on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.com/DavidPerellChannel.
This podcast features an interview with John Lennox, who discusses the concept of a word-based universe, drawing connections between mathematics, biology, and the origin of words from minds. He shares insights from his mentor, Professor David Gooding, on biblical literature and ancient writing structures, emphasizing t...
In this interview-style podcast, Henrik Karlsson discusses his five-step method for writing, emphasizing the importance of exploring a topic deeply over a long period to develop an "animating question" that drives the writing process. He details the subsequent steps: collecting thoughts, ordering ideas to create a spec...
This interview features Jayne Anne Phillips, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction writer, discussing her writing process, influences, and teaching philosophy. She emphasizes the importance of reading literature as a writer, surrendering to the work, and being "inside the material" to create immersive experiences for reader...
This interview explores Rosanne Cash's deep connection to language and rhythm in both her songwriting and prose. She discusses how she deconstructs songs to understand their mechanics, the importance of staying "awake and aware" to find inspiration, and how she navigates the challenges of writer's block and self-critic...
This interview explores the concept of prolonged attention and its impact on perception, understanding, and creativity. David Whyte discusses how deep attention, involving seeing, hearing, and somatic feeling, leads to a breakdown of the individual self and a realization that the world is also paying attention. He shar...
In this interview, Alain de Botton discusses his writing process, emphasizing the importance of capturing emotions and sensations in words to gain clarity and control. He shares his journey from writing as a teenager to master emotions, to his current focus on processing pain and pleasure through writing. De Botton hig...
In this interview, Steven Levitan, a prolific TV writer, discusses his writing process, drawing from his experiences on shows like "Modern Family," "Just Shoot Me," and "Frasier." He describes his fast-twitch writing style, honed from his early career as a TV reporter, and contrasts it with slower, more deliberate appr...
In this interview, David Zucker, the director of Airplane! and Naked Gun, shares his insights on writing and directing comedy. He emphasizes the importance of story, surprise, and discipline, highlighting rules such as "let the lines do the work," avoiding "a joke on a joke," and not acknowledging the joke. Zucker also...
This episode features an interview with Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, the founders of The Bible Project, a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching people how to read the Bible. The discussion begins with an exploration of their video creation process, from initial research and writing to animation. They describe Tim's role...
In this interview, Dana Gioia explores Robert Macfarlane's deep connection to nature and his writing process. Macfarlane discusses how growing up in the mountains cultivated his sensitivity to the natural world, influencing his obsession with elements like rock, ice, water, and light. The conversation delves into Macfa...
This interview features Paul Harding, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, discussing his unique approach to writing, which prioritizes observation, sensory experience, and a deep understanding of language over plot and character development. Harding explains his teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of self-aware...
In this interview, Dana Gioia interviews Steven Pinker about the art of nonfiction writing, especially in the age of AI. Pinker discusses the "curse of knowledge," which is the difficulty in understanding what it's like not to know something you already know, and how it leads to bad writing through jargon, abbreviation...
This interview with Ezra Klein explores his career in journalism, from his early days as a blogger to co-founding Vox and his current role at the New York Times. Klein discusses the evolution of his voice, the importance of institutional support, and the role of editors in shaping his work. He emphasizes the value of d...
In this interview, screenwriter Eric Roth discusses his writing process, emphasizing the importance of starting from page one daily to identify and fix issues, a process he calls "erosion." He shares insights into character development, highlighting the need to understand a character's psychology and create unique voic...
This episode explores the nuances of comedy writing, particularly for sitcoms, with Michael Jamin, a seasoned Hollywood writer, sharing his insights on crafting humor through character development and story. Jamin emphasizes that strong attitudes and judgmental perspectives are inherently funny, but characters should n...
This episode explores Dean Koontz's writing process, delving into his decision to abandon outlining in favor of character-driven narratives. Koontz explains that publishers' disappointment with deviations from outlines led him to trust his characters' free will, allowing them to guide the story in unexpected directions...
This episode explores the art and science of investigative interviewing, as practiced by author Johann Hari. Against the backdrop of Hari's four books, each tackling a systemic societal problem, the discussion delves into his unique research methodology. More significantly, Hari describes his approach as akin to trac...
This episode explores the art of storytelling, focusing on character development as the primary driver of compelling narratives. Against the backdrop of traditional plot-focused approaches like the "hero's journey," the guest argues that a character's "theory of control"—a simple, often flawed belief system dictating ...
This episode explores the objective qualities of good writing, challenging the common perception that writing quality is purely subjective. Against this backdrop, Michael Dean, a former architect and VR specialist, introduces "essay architecture," a framework for analyzing and improving writing by focusing on nine cor...
This episode explores the evolving landscape of public relations and communication, arguing that the traditional playbook is obsolete. Against this backdrop, Lulu Cheng Meservey, an expert in the field, advocates for a "go direct" strategy, emphasizing that founders should communicate directly with their audience with...
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