How To! with Mike Pesca ENCORE How To Start Writing (w/ Anna Quindlen & John Dickerson)
Feb 10, 2026
Anna Quindlen, bestselling novelist and former NYT reporter who champions journaling. John Dickerson, political reporter and longtime journaler with practical routines. They discuss why ordinary people should write, simple habits to start and sustain journaling, systems like pocket notebooks and ritual, and clever tricks to make returning to the page effortless.
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Writing Makes Thoughts Tangible
- Writing helps you process emotions and clarify thinking by turning a 'blob of emotions' into language.
- Anna Quindlen and John Dickerson show writing preserves presence and creates lasting meaning beyond the moment.
Anne Frank As The Case For Writing
- Anna Quindlen recalls Anne Frank writing for herself and accidentally conferring 'eternal life' through words.
- The example argues anyone's daily writing can preserve presence beyond death.
Use Two Notebooks
- Carry a small notebook for observations and reflections to sharpen your noticing over time.
- Keep a separate, more formal nightly journal to unpack emotions and break rumination cycles.
