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NYT Best-Selling Author Teaches Writing (Suleika Jaouad Interview)

David Perell

61,121 views

Suleika Jaouad says: "If you want to write a good book, write what you don't want others to know about you. But if you want to write a great book, write what you don't want to know about yourself."

She's had a lifelong love for words, ever since she was a little kid. She began writing for public consumption in her twenties, after being diagnosed with serious cancer. From her hospital bed, she started writing for The New York Times, which led to her memoir, "Between Two Kingdoms", and her book on creativity, "The Book of Alchemy".

What are the driving themes of our conversation?
How do you free yourself to be creative
How do you show up as your most unedited self on the page
How do you fight writer's block
How do you live with curiosity, wonder, and enchantment
How do you truly open your eyes to the world

This conversation will explore all of that.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:52 Being vulnerable
00:06:56 Writing from the hospital
00:09:58 Why write by hand
00:12:29 How to make space for writing
00:14:55 The struggles of writing a memoir
00:21:09 The 'Bed, bath and bus' framework
00:26:39 Motifs and themes
00:33:16 How to use prompts
00:38:29 Getting unstuck
00:42:46 How to get good feedback
00:45:50 The value of daily journals
00:50:05 Techniques for capturing ideas

About the host
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.

Follow me
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
YouTube: @davidperellchannel
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSbo...
X: https://x.com/david_perell

20 Comments

@chroniclesfromcalcutta1164 3 months ago

David, please never stop your podcast. We, the people who wish to take up the pen as a profession or as a vocation, are thoroughly inspired by these episodes everyday.

@jackintheworld6639 4 months ago

David's style is not journalistic interview, it's conversational curiosity - more first date than the investigative reporter's ask question, disappear, get response. We've been so tik-toked and speeded up we can hardly sit still long enough to let the current of another person's ideas and experiences carry us, at their own tempo, wherever the water leads. For me David's style fits my own sense of curiosity, and Suleika's voice - rhythm, idea, expression - is deeply beautiful.

@monica.nicolae 3 months ago

I love to see more women interviewed on your channel because their way of thinking and their process for writing is closer to the way I am exploring this art form, also I feel like this way, you give them space and a voice :)

@francineh.7825 4 months ago

I understand the retraumatizing yourself while writing as I wrote about the death of my eight-year-old son. Examing your trauma so you can write about it brings you to another level of grief.

@IamIsAllThereIs 4 months ago (edited)

I LOVE how very slow she speaks -- consistent with her very introspective way of being. As someone who decades ago was a speed-talker & hated how slow my spouse spoke, I get the complainants. 😅

I have seen the host much more quiet in allowing the guest to finish their thoughts & sentences. I think her pace of speaking triggers his racing thoughts to be spoken out loud before the guest is done. Listening to the guest's pace & then hearing the speed, rat-a-tat-tat, of the host feels jarring & disjunctive.

Fantastic guest -- inspiring & helpful for any creative.

Thank you, David, love this episode.
❤❤❤

@pattidoyle5102 4 months ago

I am just finishing up “The Book of Alchemy” this week. I did prompt #94 this morning. I am going to miss the prompts when I’m completely done. Thank you for a beautiful book.

@johannaeclancher2883 4 months ago

I have loved this episode so much. She is so pure and refreshing. Thank you

@NadiaButa 4 months ago (edited)

Definitely do a part 2! Love her writing and her beautiful presence. 🥰

@meadow8770 3 weeks ago

This interview was simply packed with things I needed to hear. Grateful thanks.

@inkamastina 4 months ago

Such a vulnerable and valuable conversation. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you💛

@tanisha_gilded 3 months ago

This is the best writing advice I've ever heard. 💐

@Sandyc-n8h 4 months ago

I love hearing her speak. Thank you for bringing her into this space.❤

@mjw2013xx 4 months ago

Suleika is brilliant. Thank you for bringing her to your show. I'd bring her back and let her talk more.

@eikajung5486 4 months ago

My name is in her name! It’s a sign

@davelachance9779 3 months ago

Love this interview! David, your deep-well questions are a huge part of what makes your interviews so informative and inspirational. It's a rare gift.

@MelissaJMJ 3 months ago

17:03, in almost all cases it is because we have not forgiven the person that has hurt us. Forgiveness does not mean we have to have them in our life, but it is a freedom for us.

@gilgil4387 3 months ago

It was so pleasnt to listen to 😍👍 What a great conversation.

@hulkslayer626 3 months ago

For the first time in my life, I have started a TBR. I used to just pick whatever caught my eye and read it without really thinking ahead. Now that I started one, it seems to be growing at an exponential rate. And if her books are half as good as this interview, I am going to have to add her to the list 🤦😁