Andrew Sean Greer: Pulitzer Winner Teaches Writing | How I Write
How I Write
Aug 12
Andrew Sean Greer: Pulitzer Winner Teaches Writing | How I Write
Andrew Sean Greer: Pulitzer Winner Teaches Writing | How I Write

How I Write
Aug 12
Shownote
Shownote
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
[https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite] Andrew Sean Greer won the Pulitzer Prize for
his 2018 novel "Less". I had to ask him what it's like to win a Pulitzer Prize.
His story about that is my favorite part of the interview.
We also talked about his writing process: how he tells great stories, develops
great characters, and writes good sentences. He shared his mantras, such as the
idea that when you're editing, the editor is the patient, and you, the writer,
are the doctor. He also explained why it's better to be honest than witty if you
want to write great comedy. 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/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv X:
https://x.com/david_perell
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Highlights
Highlights
This conversation examines how literary work develops through experimentation, revision, close observation, and emotional honesty. Andrew Sean Greer offers a practical and deeply personal view of how writers discover what their stories are really about.
Chapters
Chapters
How Revision Reveals What a Novel Is Really About
00:00Where a Writer’s Voice Comes From
10:45Why Honest Details Give Stories Their Power
22:11Turning Pain, Comedy, and Rejection into Creative Freedom
36:14The Disciplined Craft of Seeing and Revising
53:23Transcript
Transcript
David Perell: Andrew Sean Greer won the Pulitzer Prize for a 2018 novel called Less. So I had to ask him, what is it like to win a Pulitzer Prize? And a story about that is my favorite part of the interview. But also, we talked about his writing process. H...