Suleika Jaouad: NYT Bestselling Author Teaches Writing | How I Write

Suleika Jaouad: NYT Bestselling Author Teaches Writing | How I Write

From How I Write by David Perell

May 27, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

Suleika Jaouad discusses her journey as a writer and the themes of creativity and self-discovery in this episode of How I Write.

Suleika Jaouad says: "If you want to write a good book, write what you don't want others to know about you. But if you want to write a great book, write what you don't want to know about yourself." She's had a lifelong love for words, ever since she was a little kid. She began writing for public consumption in her twenties, after being diagnosed with serious cancer. From her hospital bed, she started writing for The New York Times, which led to her memoir, "Between Two Kingdoms", and her book on creativity, "The Book of Alchemy". What are the driving themes of our conversation? How do you free yourself to be creative How do you show up as your most unedited self on the page How do you fight writer's block How do you live with curiosity, wonder, and enchantment How do you truly open your eyes to the world This conversation will explore all of that. 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…

People in this episode

Host: David Perell

Guest: Suleika Jaouad

Topics covered

  • writing
  • creativity
  • self-discovery
  • overcoming writer's block
  • personal storytelling
  • curiosity

Keywords

  • writing advice
  • memoir
  • creativity
  • cancer
  • self-exploration
  • writer's block
  • personal growth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times

Books & works: Between Two Kingdoms, The Book of Alchemy

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