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How to Write Freakishly Well — Paul Harding
19 segments available
I interviewed Paul Harding, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his very first novel Tinkers. Unlike most novelists, he’s not really interested in plots, and only halfway interested in characters. So what is he interested in? He’s focused on describing the wonders and mysteries of life, teaching us how to see, hear, and feel more vividly, and how to translate those sensations onto the page. 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:31 Why I Don't Write with Outlines 00:06:50 Why Patience Always Beats Speed 00:10:58 How to Build Characters 00:15:02 The Artist's Secret Weapon 00:20:40 How to Write After Winning a Pulitzer 00:26:47 Why Plot Doesn't Matter in Great Books 00:32:17 The Writer's Paradox 00:39:17 Why I Read The Dictionary Everyday 00:41:37 Why Words Don't Mean What They Used To 00:47:54 Read the Best Writers to Become The Best 00:53:20 What Fiction Can Do That Essays Can't 00:59:04 Write for Smart Readers, Not Everyone 01:05:45 Don't Explain Everything to Your Reader 01:12:47 Cut from 1000 Pages Down to 150 01:22:02 How Great Writers Influenced My Style 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 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv X: https://x.com/david_perell
Segments Timeline
Introducing Paul Harding
In this segment, David Perell introduces Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Harding, highlighting his unique approach to writing. Unlike traditional novelists, Harding focuses on the wonders and mysteries of life rather than plots or characters, aiming to teach readers how to perceive and articulate their experiences more vividly.
"I interviewed Paul Harding who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his very first novel called Tinkers. And now unlike most novelists, Paul's not really interested in plots. He's only halfway inter..."
The Freedom of Improvisation
Paul Harding discusses his aversion to outlines in writing, viewing the process as an improvisational journey. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal aesthetics in writing, encouraging aspiring writers to discover their unique voice rather than conforming to normative teaching methods.
"You do not write with outlines. You see writing as basically a process of improvisation. And I want to talk about your drumming later on. But why do you write like that? And do you teach people to wri..."
The Art of Patience
Harding explains why patience is crucial in writing, contrasting it with the rush for speed. He shares insights on the importance of observation and the need to slow down to truly capture the essence of experiences, which ultimately enriches the writing process.
"then what's left just the blue. So what would happen then? Then the blue would drain out of the sky. Well, what would that be? Then it would be the stars and and you know the the black sky and the sta..."
Building Characters Through Observation
In this segment, Harding elaborates on how he builds characters by deeply observing the world around him. He stresses the significance of dropping preconceived notions and using raw sensations to create authentic character experiences that resonate with readers.
"thinking about how would you stack that up so that the reader would get that and it would be like a painting. It would be like something that you know like a landscape painter would have done and then..."
The Artist's Secret Weapon
Harding reveals his secret weapon as a writer: the ability to observe and translate experiences into words. He discusses the importance of staying present and attentive to the details of life, which fuels creativity and leads to richer storytelling.
"So, with your students, what is the thing that they continually struggle with the most? Like, what is the thing that if you could just get up the first day of class and you're just like, "Students, da..."
Writing After Winning a Pulitzer
Paul Harding reflects on the challenges and expectations that come with winning a Pulitzer Prize. He shares how this accolade influences his writing process and the pressure to maintain creativity while navigating newfound recognition.
"sort like just kind of ended up on the floor going whoa, you know, just like and then 90 seconds later I was interviewing with the Associated Press, you know, like like holy cow, I just want a Pulitze..."
Why Plot Doesn't Matter
In this segment, Harding argues that plot is not the essence of great literature. He emphasizes the importance of exploring deeper themes and emotions, suggesting that the richness of a story lies in its ability to evoke feelings rather than follow a strict narrative structure.
"even that that idea of you know the quality of finishing a book maybe for the first time um and being like I don't know what just happened but something just happened something you know and and I hope..."
The Writer's Paradox
Harding discusses the paradox of writing, where the act of creation can feel both liberating and constraining. He explores the balance between freedom and structure in writing, encouraging writers to embrace their unique processes while remaining open to experimentation.
"then you have that interesting paradoxical experience that you have to be utterly totally selfless and humble um but also self-confident. Do you get a lot of feedback with your writing? I that doesn't..."
Daily Dictionary Ritual
Paul Harding shares his daily ritual of reading the dictionary, explaining how it enriches his vocabulary and understanding of language. He highlights the importance of words and their evolving meanings in the context of writing.
"reading dictionaries. You got two copies. Got an old one, a new one. Tell me about going through them. Yeah, I read the dictionary every day. The old every day. Yeah, every day. Every day. And not I d..."
The Evolution of Language
In this segment, Harding discusses how words have changed over time and the implications for writers. He emphasizes the need for writers to be aware of language's fluidity and to use it thoughtfully to convey their intended meanings.
"Do you feel like language has been stripped of its contours? Well, I think usage does I think like you know a lot of advertising language and a lot of liked language. I mean, we're it's weird like we'..."
Learning from the Best
Harding advocates for reading the works of great writers as a means to improve one's own writing. He discusses how exposure to high-quality literature can inspire and inform a writer's style and approach.
"from you so far is spend a lot of time with the greats. Dare to take on something ambitious, but do not be afraid actually almost insist on the idea that your brain is like a fingerprint and find your..."
Fiction vs. Essays
In this segment, Harding explores the unique capabilities of fiction compared to essays. He articulates what fiction can achieve in terms of emotional depth and narrative complexity that essays often cannot.
"do you have as a fiction writer that you wouldn't have if you were writing non-fiction? Well, again, I I think like with non-fiction, I automatically think like like a novel doesn't have a thesis or m..."
Writing for Smart Readers
Harding emphasizes the importance of writing for an intelligent audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone. He discusses how this approach can lead to more meaningful and impactful writing.
"it's like these telescoping lenses, you know, and so I love the idea of I, you know, again, going back to what we were talking about like don't write for bad readers. Don't write for readers who won't..."
The Art of Not Over-Explaining
In this segment, Harding advises against over-explaining to readers. He encourages writers to trust their audience's intelligence and to allow them to engage with the text without excessive clarification.
"reader. give them what's actually happening and then you give them what's happening for the character. That's also another dimension, narrative dimension where you get character, you know, because you..."
The Power of Cutting
Harding shares his experience of cutting a manuscript from 1000 pages down to 150. He discusses the importance of editing and the power of brevity in writing, emphasizing that every word must serve a purpose.
"anything else you want to say about writing a thousand pages and cutting it down to 150 I don't know you know I've just come I love it if you're trying to be efficient if you're writing fiction Um, I ..."
Influences on My Style
In the final segment, Harding reflects on the great writers who have influenced his style. He discusses how their works have shaped his approach to writing and the lessons he has learned from them.
"want to know how the spirit of different writers has kind of been infused into your work. Let's start with Emerson. Emerson. My favorite sentence in Tinkers is a sentence that after all those years of..."
Lessons from Melville and Shakespeare
In this segment, Harding reflects on the profound impact of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick' and Shakespeare's works on his writing. He discusses how understanding these literary giants enhances his own storytelling, emphasizing the accessibility and depth of their narratives. Harding highlights the importance of literal meaning in Shakespeare's plays and how it contributes to the richness of literary interpretation.
"writing about a bunch of sailors Tell me about Melville. I read Moby Dick a bunch of times before I had read Shakespeare or the Old Testament and it was still like my favorite book. And then after I w..."
The Transcendentalist's Call to Action
Harding shares a personal anecdote about how reading Thoreau's 'Civil Disobedience' profoundly affected him, igniting a desire to evoke similar reactions in his readers through his writing. He discusses the journey from reader to writer, emphasizing the dialogue between literature and the writer's imagination. This segment encapsulates the transformative power of literature and the artist's quest to connect with their audience.
"kind of figurative and symbolic and kind of meaning with a capital M sort of thing. Let's end with this. How did the transcendentalist teach you how to consult your own soul? I mean, I very much remem..."
The Dark Nights of the Soul
In this concluding segment, Harding reflects on the challenges of being an artist, describing the 'dark nights of the soul' that come with confronting one's limitations. He emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in the writing process, acknowledging the struggles that accompany the pursuit of artistic expression. Harding's insights serve as a reminder of the dedication required to craft meaningful literature.
"you know. That's why I just say slow down, be patient. When you say dark nights of the soul, what? Well, you know, when you being an artist is one of the, you know, few professions or ways that you ca..."