Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This episode is presented by Wispr Flow, a tool that turns voice notes into clear writing. I use it every day and recommend it to every writer I know. Try it for free at ref.wisprflow.ai/howiwrite
David Sedaris has long been one of the funniest writers in the game, and he’s got a method for how he does it. It starts with observation, always looking for what’s surprising, ridiculous, or a little bit strange about the world. Then, every single day, he writes the best ideas down in a journal.
But there’s also a willingness to put himself in absurd situations, like working as a Christmas elf at Macy’s or cleaning up litter off English country roads for eight hours a day. He’s sold more than 16 million books, and he’s been writing for The New Yorker for more than 30 years. Today, he’s here to teach us how he does it.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:34 Why not publish your writing
00:03:07 How to find a premise
00:07:57 Reading out loud to crowds
00:11:40 David's writing method
00:16:10 How to observe better
00:24:35 Good people vs good characters
00:30:09 Don't give your editor the first draft
00:32:56 What makes a good ending
00:37:38 The power of writing rhythm
00:42:03 Why specific details matter
00:46:36 Writing essays vs fiction
00:52:14 Stop trying so hard
00:53:54 Stretch the story just a little
00:56:47 Be a great observer
01:01:34 Choose funnier words
01:06:37 How to really improve your writing
01:10:42 David's big inspirations
01:12:45 What makes David unique
*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
This episode is presented by Wispr Flow, a tool that turns voice notes into clear writing. I use it every day and recommend it to every writer I know. Try it for free at ref.wisprflow.ai/howiwrite
David Sedaris has long been one of the funniest writers in the game, and he’s got a method for how he does it. It starts with observation, always looking for what’s surprising, ridiculous, or a little bit strange about the world. Then, every single day, he writes the best ideas down in a journal.
But there’s also a willingness to put himself in absurd situations, like working as a Christmas elf at Macy’s or cleaning up litter off English country roads for eight hours a day. He’s sold more than 16 million books, and he’s been writing for The New Yorker for more than 30 years. Today, he’s here to teach us how he does it.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:34 Why not publish your writing
00:03:07 How to find a premise
00:07:57 Reading out loud to crowds
00:11:40 David's writing method
00:16:10 How to observe better
00:24:35 Good people vs good characters
00:30:09 Don't give your editor the first draft
00:32:56 What makes a good ending
00:37:38 The power of writing rhythm
00:42:03 Why specific details matter
00:46:36 Writing essays vs fiction
00:52:14 Stop trying so hard
00:53:54 Stretch the story just a little
00:56:47 Be a great observer
01:01:34 Choose funnier words
01:06:37 How to really improve your writing
01:10:42 David's big inspirations
01:12:45 What makes David unique
*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
