Hungry Dogs with James Patterson David Baldacci on “Absolute Power” and Making Things Up for a Living
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Nov 26, 2025 
David Baldacci, best-selling novelist and former lawyer, reflects on growing up in segregated Richmond and how library trips sparked his imagination. He recounts years of rejection before Absolute Power changed everything. He explains how law school shaped his storytelling, the realities of Hollywood, and why writers should enjoy getting paid to invent worlds.
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Library Trips Sparked A Writing Life
- David Baldacci credits weekly library trips in Richmond for opening his world and fueling his love of reading.
- His mother gave him a journal at age seven or eight, which started his habit of writing stories.
Reframe Bad Days As A Privilege
- Remember you get paid to make shit up for a living when writing feels hard.
- Reframe bad days and appreciate the privilege of creating stories for income.
Law Training Strengthens Storytelling
- Baldacci says law school trained him to think like a storyteller by teaching problem-solving and critical thinking.
- He applies legal problem-solving skills to plotting, negotiations, and the business side of writing.
