Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
David Baldacci, one of the most prolific writers in the world, joins us on the show today. He has written 53 novels and seven children’s books, publishes two novels every year, and has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.
How does he craft great stories, develop compelling characters, and build tension? How does he approach the business of publishing? Drawing from his background as a lawyer and his time in boardrooms worldwide, what strategies does he employ to ensure his books sell and are read? This conversation explores those very questions.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:34 Starting with ‘The Big Pop’
00:03:40 Should you outline your book?
00:06:03 Give characters baggage
00:09:44 Twists aren’t enough
00:13:49 Long dialogue is lazy
00:21:36 Make the stakes personal
00:26:23 A scene needs two purposes
00:30:31 Where ideas come from
00:36:28 Writing 53 novels
00:41:19 Go where the readers are
00:43:24 Baldacci’s money rule
00:47:54 How book deals really work
00:53:34 Finding a good premise
00:59:22 Why lawyers become writers
01:05:58 Finding the right details
01:10:07 Lessons from screenplays
01:13:18 Character over plot
01:17:29 Write what excites you
01:20:49 Slow down the big moments
01:22:54 Children’s books
01:27:05 Skip the self-help books
*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: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
YouTube: youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
X: https://x.com/david_perell
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
David Baldacci, one of the most prolific writers in the world, joins us on the show today. He has written 53 novels and seven children’s books, publishes two novels every year, and has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.
How does he craft great stories, develop compelling characters, and build tension? How does he approach the business of publishing? Drawing from his background as a lawyer and his time in boardrooms worldwide, what strategies does he employ to ensure his books sell and are read? This conversation explores those very questions.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:34 Starting with ‘The Big Pop’
00:03:40 Should you outline your book?
00:06:03 Give characters baggage
00:09:44 Twists aren’t enough
00:13:49 Long dialogue is lazy
00:21:36 Make the stakes personal
00:26:23 A scene needs two purposes
00:30:31 Where ideas come from
00:36:28 Writing 53 novels
00:41:19 Go where the readers are
00:43:24 Baldacci’s money rule
00:47:54 How book deals really work
00:53:34 Finding a good premise
00:59:22 Why lawyers become writers
01:05:58 Finding the right details
01:10:07 Lessons from screenplays
01:13:18 Character over plot
01:17:29 Write what excites you
01:20:49 Slow down the big moments
01:22:54 Children’s books
01:27:05 Skip the self-help books
*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: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
YouTube: youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
X: https://x.com/david_perell
