2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer Louis C.K. on Writing His First Novel and Returning to Stage | 2 Bears, 1 Cave
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Nov 24, 2025 
Louis C.K., the renowned comedian and filmmaker known for his sharp and candid humor, joins Tom Segura to discuss his new novel, Ingram. They explore the emotional weight of loneliness and childhood struggles, revealing how stepping away from stand-up influenced Louis's creative process. The duo dives into the ethics of comedy, the controversial practice of 'punching down,' and the disturbing themes of Louis's upcoming book. Tom reveals how Ingram moved him to tears, highlighting the profound connection between art and human experience.
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Early Love Of Russian Literature
- Louis C.K. recounts wanting to be a novelist since childhood and romanticizing Russian literature's bleakness.
- He opened his window in winter to 'feel Russian' while reading dark, funny works that shaped his taste.
Use Rituals To Make Writing Daily
- Build a simple morning ritual to make daily writing sustainable: meditate, make coffee, reread recent pages, then write.
- Use small external cues (like oatmeal timing) to end sessions and preserve the feeling of accomplishment.
Following A Character, Not An Outline
- Louis C.K. started Ingram as a short piece when a voice of a boy arrived and he simply transcribed it.
- He followed the character through events rather than outlining, discovering emotional stakes as the story progressed.
