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
45 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 22min
Henry Shukman: How to Tell Stories Through Poetry | How I Write
In this engaging talk, Henry Shukman, a poet and Zen teacher, shares his journey of discovering poetry through a chance encounter with a wanderer in his teens. He discusses the inspiration behind his writing, likening it to impressionism and the importance of capturing emotional truth. Shukman explores how meditation enhances creativity, helping to break down fear and foster deeper flow in his work. He reads moving pieces like 'Frozen Lake,' illustrating how grief can transform into poetry, and highlights the empathetic power of literature to comfort and connect.
105 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ward Farnsworth: 14 Ways To Make Your Writing Memorable | How I Write Classic Episode
Ward Farnsworth, a law professor and author, shares insights on making writing memorable with techniques drawn from classic literature and speeches. He highlights the power of simple Saxon words, exemplified by the King James Bible's profound phrases. Farnsworth delves into rhetorical styles like anaphora and epistrophe, showcasing Churchill and Lincoln as masters of these techniques. He discusses the impact of chiasmus and offers practical advice for effective writing, emphasizing clarity and immersion in exemplary texts.
270 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 52min
My Top 10 Writing Lessons from 2025
Dana Gioia, a celebrated poet and critic, passionately discusses poetry as an active experience. He emphasizes the importance of performance, memorization, and the personal engagement with poems, rather than just analytical study. Gioia and David Whyte explore how memorizing poems serves as emotional support in challenging times. Their conversation highlights writing as more than mere words—it's a practice of attention and authenticity that enriches our understanding of life.
163 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 4min
Jonathan Franzen: How to Write Truly Great Characters | How I Write
Jonathan Franzen, an award-winning novelist celebrated for his psychologically rich works like The Corrections and Freedom, shares his insights on character creation. He discusses the importance of comic distance to avoid victimhood, while emphasizing self-examination to develop authentic voices. Franzen contrasts trauma dumping with crafting relatable characters, and stresses the significance of precise details over clichés. He also explores how observing everyday life fuels character depth, alongside his disciplined writing routine and the search for the perfect tone.
363 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 4min
Atul Gawande: How to Use Writing to Improve Your Thinking | How I Write
Atul Gawande, a renowned surgeon and bestselling author known for works like *Being Mortal*, shares insights on the writing process. He discusses how writing energizes him rather than drains him and reveals his disciplined approach of aiming for 30 hours a month. Gawande highlights the importance of storytelling in conveying complex medical truths and emphasizes the value of revision, even counting up to 22 drafts for his New Yorker pieces. He also explores how being active in medicine enriches his writing and keeps his ideas fresh.
282 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 9min
Brandon Stanton: Meet The Creator of “Humans of New York” | How I Write
Brandon Stanton, the creator of Humans of New York, shares insights from his journey as a bestselling author and street photographer. He dives into how he crafts powerful personal narratives by capturing the essence of people's stories through concise interviews. Discover his unique approach to storytelling, including the importance of empathy and the impact of editing in real time. Stanton emphasizes persistence in creative endeavors and how curiosity drives compelling narratives. A riveting conversation for any aspiring writer!
195 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 24min
David Grann: How to Write Non-Fiction That Reads Like Fiction | How I Write
David Grann, an award-winning narrative nonfiction writer known for works like "Killers of the Flower Moon," shares his secrets to crafting compelling stories. He discusses how deep archival research led him to uncover hidden murders and serendipitous discoveries. Grann emphasizes the importance of rigorous research for creating vivid scenes and connecting themes with contemporary relevance. He also reflects on the emotional journey of reporting, choosing striking details, and the art of creating suspense through chronological storytelling.
211 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 9min
Susan Orlean: Award-Winning Writer Explains Her Entire Process | How I Write
Susan Orlean, an award-winning nonfiction author, shares her intentional approach to writing that blends storytelling with in-depth research. She discusses her unique method of using index cards to structure her narratives and emphasizes the importance of strong leads to hook readers. Orlean highlights the significance of selecting compelling topics and maintaining a balance between writer passion and reader interest. She also reflects on the joy of editing and the discipline needed for long-term writing projects, comparing writing to marathon training.
369 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 8min
Stefan Sagmeister: Why Are Things Less Beautiful Today? | How I Write
Stefan Sagmeister, a Grammy-winning designer renowned for his innovative album covers, shares insights on beauty and creativity. He discusses using random prompts like a sock to inspire fresh design ideas and emphasizes the importance of handmade typography. Stefan highlights how emotional care in art fosters viewer connection and contrasts declining print quality with niche markets sustaining high standards. He also explores the balance between serving audience tastes and maintaining artistic integrity, while advocating for local-specific design over homogenization.
966 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 9min
Morgan Housel: How to Master Writing | How I Write
Morgan Housel, bestselling author of 'The Psychology of Money', shares his insights on mastering storytelling in writing. He discusses the importance of brevity and clarity, arguing that good writing should be instantly understandable. Morgan reveals how he collects vivid anecdotes and why hooks are essential for engaging readers. He critiques common writing advice and emphasizes the value of honest, personal expression. Dive in to learn about his writing journey, the role of observation, and why books still hold significance in today's digital world.
