How I Write Daniel Pink: How to Write Something Truly Useful | How I Write
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Jan 14, 2026 
In this engaging conversation, best-selling author Daniel Pink shares insights from his extensive writing journey, including a disciplined daily routine and the importance of strict word counts. He emphasizes the value of discussing ideas with others to refine them and reveals his method for structuring books using visual tools like whiteboards. Pink also explains how to craft compelling book proposals and discusses his groundbreaking work on regret. Finally, he reveals the pivotal question every writer should ask before embarking on a new project.
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Laugh Density Tests Pacing
- Daniel measures laugh density in speeches and plays to manage pacing.
- He adjusted a play's scene because a long stretch without laughs confused the audience.
Use Proposals To Test Ideas
- Keep a long list of ideas and revisit them periodically to spot which stick.
- Use a 30–40 page proposal to test whether an idea can sustain a full book.
Canceled Proposal After 10 Days
- Daniel wrote a week-long proposal called The Invisible Present and canceled it after 10 days.
- He prefers discovering a bad idea early rather than after signing a contract.
