Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Daniel Pink is one of the most successful nonfiction writers of the past 30 years. You've probably seen his books: "Drive," "The Power of Regret," or "To Sell Is Human." Maybe you've even seen his viral TED Talk about the science of motivation.
In this conversation, we started by talking about his writing process, which he's been doing consistently for so many years. I wanted to know when, where, and how often he writes. I wanted to know all about it.
At the very end, Dan goes: "I've got one more thing to share with you." And what he shares is the most important question that any writer can ask before they take on a new project.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:54 Daniel’s writing routine
00:09:14 The science of breaks
00:17:46 How to write a book proposal
00:25:06 Why write?
00:32:09 Lessons from writing a play
00:38:47 Daniel’s best writing lessons
00:49:31 The most important question to ask
*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
Check out Sublime at https://sublime.app/?ref=perell
Daniel Pink is one of the most successful nonfiction writers of the past 30 years. You've probably seen his books: "Drive," "The Power of Regret," or "To Sell Is Human." Maybe you've even seen his viral TED Talk about the science of motivation.
In this conversation, we started by talking about his writing process, which he's been doing consistently for so many years. I wanted to know when, where, and how often he writes. I wanted to know all about it.
At the very end, Dan goes: "I've got one more thing to share with you." And what he shares is the most important question that any writer can ask before they take on a new project.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:54 Daniel’s writing routine
00:09:14 The science of breaks
00:17:46 How to write a book proposal
00:25:06 Why write?
00:32:09 Lessons from writing a play
00:38:47 Daniel’s best writing lessons
00:49:31 The most important question to ask
*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
