How I Write
David Perell
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
90 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 20min
Ocean Vuong: NYU Professor Teaches the Art of Writing | How I Write
Ocean Vuong, acclaimed poet, novelist, and NYU professor, explores how metaphor starts with deep observation. He talks about writing as recognition rather than correction. He questions rigid prose rules and the standardization of style. There’s also a fascinating look at estrangement, etymology, playful attention, and why daring syntax can leave a lasting trace.
157 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 25min
Jon Yaged: How Book Publishing Works | How I Write
John Yaged, CEO of Macmillan and a veteran publishing executive, pulls back the curtain on how books get made and sold. He talks about why publishing consolidated. How advances are priced and why agents matter. Plus the tug-of-war between data and gut instinct, the hidden economics behind a book, self-publishing, AI tools, and why word of mouth still rules.
150 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 1h 12min
Michael Connelly: How to Write Unforgettable Characters | How I Write
Michael Connelly, crime novelist behind Harry Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer, whose books have sold over 100 million copies and become TV shows. He talks about using single telling details and observation to bring characters alive. He explains how Los Angeles becomes a living setting, why dialogue and economy of words matter, and how daily rewriting and reporting instincts shape his craft.
257 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 1h 11min
Steven Pressfield: 21 Proven Methods for Writing Great Stories | How I Write
Steven Pressfield, novelist and storyteller famed for lessons on character and mythic themes, dives into core storytelling mechanics. He breaks down three-act rhythm, inciting incidents, mysteries that sustain plots, hero versus villain dynamics, and how small stakes can feel huge. Short, vivid scenes and private epiphanies get special attention.
197 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 1h 2min
Robert Mac: Master Comedian Breaks Down 13 Jokes | How I Write
Robert Mac, stand-up comedian and comedy teacher with 10+ years onstage, shares comic craft. He explores surprise, misdirection, absurdism, timing, and the power of persona. Short lessons cover bait-and-switch wording, visual setups, the rule of three, story jokes, bombing, and daily practice for turning observations into laughs.
191 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 48min
Bill Browder: How to Write a Book People Can’t Put Down | How I Write
Bill Browder, investor-turned-justice campaigner and author of Red Notice and Freezing Order, discusses making every page a page-turner. He explains prioritizing story over style, structuring chapters to sustain tension, and using mini books as outlines. He also covers building empathy for characters, reconstructing scenes from research and transcripts, and turning books into tools for advocacy.
192 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 46min
Diarmaid MacCulloch: Oxford Professor Breaks Down His Writing Process | How I Write
Diarmaid MacCulloch, Oxford professor and historian of Christianity and the Tudors, explains how historians balance skepticism with sympathy. He discusses writing vivid, clear history, the value of travel and sensory detail, the risks of beautiful but misleading narratives, and why historians should declare their biases. Short, lively reflections on craft, routine, and the moral role of history.
299 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 1h 3min
Lee Child: How to Write Strikingly Well | How I Write
Lee Child, bestselling novelist and creator of Jack Reacher, shares his craft in short, sharp stories. He discusses setting by mood, improvising plots instead of outlining, and crafting propulsive sentence rhythm. He explains why recurring heroes work, how TV techniques shape cliffhangers, and the yearly writing routine that keeps him productive.
76 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 16min
Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar: How Train Dreams Became a Film | How I Write
Greg Kwedar, filmmaker who builds immersive, human-centered films, and Clint Bentley, visual storyteller focused on place and craft, discuss learning filmmaking through film study and shared taste. They talk about playful experimentation, one-frame solutions that unlock scenes, honoring a book's spirit in adaptation, immersive on-location research, and balancing impulse with patient revision.
439 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 10min
Fareed Zakaria: How to Write Consistently Well | How I Write
Fareed Zakaria, a prominent journalist and author, shares invaluable insights into the craft of non-fiction writing. He discusses how journalism's deadlines have shaped his writing discipline over 25 years. Zakaria emphasizes the importance of human judgment in an AI-driven world and reflects on the lasting impact of literature like The Great Gatsby on his understanding of America. He also reveals techniques for efficient reading and the balance of anecdotes with data, highlighting how personal experiences enhance understanding and engagement.
