7am Read This: The Three Words That Made George Saunders a Writer
Jan 2, 2024
Acclaimed writer George Saunders reveals the three words that made him a writer. He discusses his journey, including an influential Irish pub moment and the impact of James Joyce. The episode explores Saunders' success with 'Lincoln in the Barrow' and the shift from writing for oneself to writing for readers. It concludes with enthusiasm for new projects and recommendations for audiobooks and Chris Womensley's 'Ordinary Gods and Monsters'.
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Joyce's Impact
- George Saunders' life sentence, "Silence, Exile, and Cunning," originates from a James Joyce cutout in a Chicago pub.
- This phrase inspired him to leave a difficult situation and dedicate himself to writing.
Embrace the Sentence
- Embrace "Silence, Exile, and Cunning" as a writer: silence your inner critic, exile yourself to create, and be cunning in your approach.
- Focus on the work, adapt, and respect your readers.
From Pub to Program
- Saunders' writing journey began with a low point in Chicago but was transformed by Joyce's words.
- Within a year, he wrote three stories, one of which led to his acceptance into Syracuse's writing program.