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R.F. Kuang: How to Live Like a Writer, Master Voice, and Beat Creative Blocks

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430,391 views vs a median of 167,605 across the channel's last 8 long-form uploads · as of Oct 29

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Award-winning author and scholar R.F. Kuang joins David Perell to dissect her writing philosophy, emotional mechanics, and multifaceted drafting process. She explains why compelling writing roots emotion in bodily physiology rather than abstract vocabulary, shares insights gained from figure drawing classes, and details how debate training shaped her chameleon-like narrative voices. She also analyzes the limits of AI-generated prose, advocates for deliberate imitation of master stylists, and reveals how embracing camp and linguistic failure fosters authentic creative growth.

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18chapters1on-screen captures18people19named frameworks12claims and stats39references in all
Source: Meet The Writer Who Sold Millions of Books Before 30 (R.F. Kuang Interview) · David Perell
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Search what was said and shown

One search covers the transcript, on-screen text, claims and references. Every result jumps to its moment.

    The explainer

    What the video says, with a link to every moment

    A 2-minute read. Each underlined phrase opens the video at that second.

    In this extensive craft discussion, bestselling author R.F. Kuang outlines her approach to storytelling, language, and creative discipline. Kuang begins by dismantling the habit of depicting feelings through abstractions, arguing that grounding emotion in physical sensations2:10 produces far more gripping fiction than theoretical labels. When instructing students, she uses human silhouette exercises2:40 to map where elation, fear, or grief physically manifest, encouraging writers to uncover conflicting impulses—such as how triumph naturally coexists with panic. She frames great writing as an exercise in attentiveness, citing Iris Murdoch on moral ego-loss7:19 to emphasize that novelists must step outside their own subjective biases to inhabit diverse perspectives.

    To stretch beyond her natural literary instincts, Kuang immerses herself in alien disciplines. She recounts taking nude figure drawing classes10:25 while researching a retelling of the Faust myth, discovering how visual artists must learn to reduce complex scenes into raw values and proportions. This insight directly shaped her scenes exploring perceptual friction between characters. Drawing on Verlyn Klinkenborg on writing resistance15:47, Kuang debunks romantic myths about effortless creative flow, noting that whenever prose comes too smoothly, an author is usually relying on predictable filler rather than original thought.

    Addressing moments of narrative paralysis, Kuang reveals that creative friction usually signals an unconscious fear of pushing toward emotional vulnerability19:08. She demonstrates how rewriting a pivotal scene in her novel Katabasis into raw physical hunger transformed flat therapeutic clichés into visceral narrative momentum. Her stylistic agility across novels—ranging from Victorian maximalist pastiche in Babel25:10 to the manic, viral cadence of Yellowface—stems from high school debate training31:10 and her experience acquiring English as a second language, teaching her to treat syntax and dialect as modular, adaptable masks.

    Finally, Kuang discusses why AI cannot replicate human art37:33, explaining that generative models merely average existing datasets without the deliberate friction and outsider linguistic play exemplified by authors like Vladimir Nabokov. Kuang champions a multi-phase workflow starting with an unstructured zero draft41:12, followed by rigorous structural editing. She strongly endorses conscious imitation of master authors51:12 to dissect rhetorical technique, urges writers to embrace campy humor and absurdity53:09, and concludes by framing learning through linguistic error59:05 as essential for authentic human and narrative connection.

    Highlights
    1. 0:30Grounding emotion in bodily physiology
    2. 7:19Iris Murdoch on stepping outside the ego
    3. 15:47Debunking the myth of writing flow
    4. 19:44Emotional honesty in Katabasis
    5. 31:10High school debate and switch-side empathy
    6. 51:12Imitation exercises and Ursula K. Le Guin
    Chapters across the 1:06:57 runtime
    How it's told

    A long-form studio dialogue on writerly craft

    Format: Interview. David Perell interviews author R.F. Kuang in depth on psychological observation, narrative voice, and the mechanics of drafting. The conversation moves from somatic feeling and perceptual training through drafting strategies and cultural recommendations.

    Story arc

    1. 0:00IntroductionHook and introduction of R.F. Kuang's background and stylistic dexterity.
    2. 0:29Somatic EmotionWriting about intense emotions through somatic self-observation and exercises.
    3. 6:44Unselfing and CompassionThe ethical imperative of observing others and Murdochian 'unselfing'.
    4. 9:33Visual PerceptionApplying visual artistic training (life drawing) to novelistic perception and prose.
    5. 15:40Debunking FlowDebunking writing flow and identifying 'volunteer words'.
    6. 17:27Sponsor BreakSponsor segment: Alpha School.
    7. 18:46Unlocking Emotional HonestyOvercoming moments of emotional stuckness by pushing scenes past comfort.
    8. 23:10Building Voices and DebateCultivating multiple narrative voices and literary shape-shifting through debate and bilingualism.
    9. 35:34AI and Human ObservationWhy generative AI cannot replicate human observation and slow craft.
    10. 40:54The Zero DraftThe multi-pass drafting process from 'word vomit' zero draft to structural polish.
    11. 45:17Subconscious IncubationTrusting subconscious incubation and daydreaming.
    12. 50:26Imitation and MastersDeliberate copywork, imitation, and learning from masters.
    13. 52:58Embracing Camp and AbsurdityFinding seriousness through camp, playfulness, and absurdity.
    14. 57:34Driving Thematic QuestionsOverarching thematic questions of language, failure, and translation in Kuang's work.
    15. 1:02:58Teaching CraftDemystifying writing for students and treating it as technical craftsmanship.
    16. 1:04:45RecommendationsFinal recommendations: book (A Whole Life) and film (Joint Security Area).

    Setups and payoffs

    1. 5:20Setup Discussion of mixing emotional colors and contrasts
      ↳
      20:00Payoff Payoff in analyzing Alice's hunger and will to live contrasting depression in Katabasis.
    2. 11:20Setup Squinting to isolate tonal values in figure drawing
      ↳
      14:46Payoff Payoff in explaining how novelists strip memory fill-ins to observe true human details.
    3. 16:20Setup Klinkenborg's warning against 'volunteer words'
      ↳
      39:00Payoff Payoff in analyzing AI text generation as the ultimate regurgitation of volunteer words.
    4. 31:44Setup Switch-side debate training in adolescence
      ↳
      38:00Payoff Payoff in adopting distinct cultural and ideological perspectives across novels like Babel and Yellowface.
    5. 40:54Setup Description of the chaotic 'zero draft'
      ↳
      44:30Payoff Payoff in explaining the animator's layered method of building setting and character faces last.

    Devices

    • MetaphorThe emotion color wheel used to mix primary feelings into complex human states5:25
    • AnalogyDrawing life models as an analogy for prose character observation11:20
    • ContrastFast internet viral discourse contrasted with slow 19th-century Victorian maximalism25:30
    • Personal AnecdoteRecounting terror and joy simultaneously during her wedding first-look6:05
    • Case StudyAnalyzing the visceral butcher scene in Katabasis to show pushing past resistance19:30
    • Literary ExampleExamining Nabokov's multilingual outsider relationship with English39:20
    • Classroom PromptThe timed 15-minute contrasting beach description exercise56:00

    From the video's own structure, matched to the transcript and on-screen text.

    Teardown

    A high-credibility packaging hook paired with an uncommonly concrete, exercise-driven masterclass that demystifies how a young prodigy writes bestselling fiction.

    Above the channel's typical: 2.6× its typical views (430,391 vs a median of 167,605 across the channel's last 8 long-form uploads, as of Oct 29) · Long-form interview · 56 days old

    The promise

    Viewers expect to discover how a young novelist sold millions of books before 30 and learn the unconventional writing philosophy behind her success.

    Packaging

    How it looks in the feed

    Show the feed as
    1:06:57

    Meet The Writer Who Sold Millions of Books Before 30 (R.F. Kuang Interview)

    David Perell430K views · 1mo agoGet R. F. Kuang's latest book here: https://bookshop.org/a/127603/9780063473744 Learn more about Alpha School at ⁠https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite R.F. Kuang…

    Views and age as of the teardown, Oct 29, 2026. Other videos are blanked out.

    • 4/5Thumbnail imageA well-lit, expressive portrait gives clear human focus without visual clutter. The blurred background ensures the subject and text stand out clearly.R.F. Kuang smiling mid-speech against a soft, dark-toned interior background.
    • 5/5Thumbnail text““Easy Words Are Borrowed Thoughts””A provocative five-word aphorism that challenges conventional wisdom on writing. It sparks intellectual curiosity without summarizing the video.Five words in white serif text: “Easy Words Are Borrowed Thoughts”.
    • 4/5TitleThe title grounds the video with clear stakes and an extraordinary commercial milestone. Naming the guest at the end catches both search traffic and existing fans.The phrase 'Sold Millions of Books Before 30' paired with '(R.F. Kuang Interview)'.
    • 5/5Title + thumbnailThe title proves she has achieved rare commercial results, while the thumbnail quote proves she has a sharp, contrarian mind. Together they suggest this is far deeper than a standard promotional interview.The title highlights commercial scale while the thumbnail quote showcases artistic depth.

    Curiosity gap: What unique philosophy on language enabled this young author to sell millions of books before age thirty?

    The three hooks

    The title, the thumbnail text and the first words spoken each make a promise, and each does a different job.

    • Title“Meet The Writer Who Sold Millions of Books Before 30 (R.F. Kuang Interview)”ResultsProofCuriosityIt makes the viewer want to learn how a prodigy achieved top-tier literary sales at an unusually young age.
    • Thumbnail text““Easy Words Are Borrowed Thoughts””Contrarian takeCuriosityNoveltyIt makes the viewer want to understand why defaulting to common language means you are not thinking original thoughts.
    • First words spoken“R.F. Kuang came on the show to talk about her love for language and what it means to live like a writer.”AuthorityCuriosityOutcomeIt makes the viewer want to discover the tangible daily practices and mindset that allowed an acclaimed young novelist to produce bestsellers across radically different genres.
    • PairingDifferent jobsThe thumbnail quote hooks the viewer with a provocative philosophical claim, while the title provides context, authority, and commercial proof.
    • StakesFitsThe title promises the mindset behind an author who sold millions before thirty, and the video delivers exhaustive, tactical breakdowns of how she executes her work.
    • UrgencyNoneThe video presents an evergreen dialogue on artistic craft without any manufactured time pressure, deadlines, or false urgency.

    The first 20 seconds

    TimeWhat you seeWhat you hearWhat it does
    0:00R.F. Kuang gesturing with text 'R.F.' on screenR.F. Kuang came on the show...Instantly puts the featured guest on screen to verify the title.
    0:01Text completes to 'R.F. Kuang' over the guest talking...to talk about her love for language...Identifies the guest by name and states the core topic.
    0:02Wide shot of host and guest sitting in chairs by a fireplace...and what it means...Establishes the intimate, fireside studio interview format.
    0:03Text 'Live' appears in large white font...to live...Teases the philosophical premise of the episode.
    0:04Text expands to 'Live like a writer'...like a writer.Delivers the core promise and value proposition to the viewer.
    0:05Book cover graphic for 'The Dragon Republic'She's written seven books...Establishes her prolific track record.
    0:06Book cover graphic for 'Yellowface' with Reese's Book Club seal...won the Nebula Award...Demonstrates commercial and critical success.
    0:07Book cover graphic for 'Babel' with Nebula Award badge...for best novel...Reinforces her elite literary status with tangible awards.
    0:08Host addressing camera directly with a quick light leak transition...and trained at some of the world's top...Transitions back to the host setting up her elite credentials.
    0:09Host speaking to camera...universities:Builds anticipation for academic prestige.
    0:10Exterior footage of Cambridge University with 'Cambridge' textCambridge...Visual proof of her high-level academic pedigree.
    0:11Courtyard footage of Oxford University with 'Oxford' textOxford...Stacks another globally recognized elite institution.
    0:12Host back on camera...Yale.Caps off the triple-credential flex.
    0:13Close-up of Kuang speaking and pointing to her chestWhat stands out is her ability to write...Shifts focus from external credentials to craft.
    0:14Kuang continuing to gesture passionately...in so many different voices:Introduces the specific writing problem she has solved.
    0:15Wide studio shot of host and guestthe economical...Resets physical space while listing stylistic modes.
    0:16Close-up of host, text overlay 'Economical'...the poetic...Uses graphic typography to emphasize craft terminology.
    0:17Host speaking, text switches to 'Minimalist'...the minimalist...Continues stylistic contrast.
    0:18Host speaking, text switches to 'Maximalist'...the maximalist.Completes the four-part stylistic spectrum.
    0:19Host leans toward cameraHow do you cultivate...Opens the central question driving the interview.
    0:20Host on camera continuing his question...that range?Plants the core open loop for the audience to follow.
    Click confirmation
    The very first frame shows R.F. Kuang gesturing with her name displayed prominently on screen, confirming the interview promise within one second.
    Time to the point
    0:04
    Hook
    payoff preview, question
    Reason to stay
    The host asks how Kuang cultivates such wide stylistic range across genres and voices, daring aspiring writers to stick around for her process.
    Missing on purpose
    No show intro reel, no podcast jingle, no generic pleasantries, and no request to like or subscribe.
    Pace and texture
    Very fast. Cuts every 1 to 2 seconds across book covers, campus b-roll, kinetic text overlays, and studio cameras, matched to crisp, driving narration.

    Story map

    Explainer. R.F. Kuang wants to capture complex human truth across radically different literary styles, but abstract clichés and emotional avoidance constantly block authentic writing; by treating storytelling as a physical, mechanical craft rather than mystical inspiration, she systematically overcomes each creative barrier.

    TimeSectionNew tensionStakesTurnLoops
    0:00 –0:29Hook and Credential StackingCan a writer who sold millions before thirty actually explain her secret, or is it unteachable genius?RiseDavid lists her accolades and elite degrees, but immediately pivots to ask how she cultivates such extreme stylistic range.Opens: How does Kuang cultivate such wide stylistic dexterity across genres?
    0:29 –6:45Grounding Intense Emotions in PhysiologyHow do you convey raw trauma and elation without sounding like generic therapy-speak?RiseEmotions feel abstract, therefore writers must map feelings exclusively to physical bodily responses.Opens: How does she use physical sensations to construct complex scenes?
    6:45 –9:40Ego-Transcendence and ObservationHow can introverted writers capture minds completely different from their own?HoldWriters naturally retreat into their own heads, therefore Kuang adopts Iris Murdoch's ethical philosophy of 'unselfing' to observe others.Opens: What real-world training forced her outside her subjective bubble?
    9:40 –15:25Life Drawing and Unlearning AssumptionsHow do you accurately record reality when human memory constantly fabricates details?RiseShe needed to write a painter protagonist, but lacked visual arts experience, therefore she enrolled in nude figure drawing classes to learn how to squint past visual assumptions.Opens: How does squinting in drawing translate to writing prose?Closes: How visual drawing translated to novelistic perception
    15:25 –18:45Debunking Flow and Sponsor BreakDoes easy, flowing writing mean the work is good?HoldWriting often feels effortless, but effortless writing merely recycles 'volunteer words' from culture, therefore friction is mandatory.Opens: What happens when that friction turns into complete writer's block?Closes: The myth of writing flow
    18:45 –23:10Pushing Through StucknessWhat actually causes writer's block during a draft?RiseWriters think they lack plot ideas, but block is actually unconscious emotional avoidance, therefore Kuang pushes scenes into visceral discomfort.Opens: How does she apply this visceral honesty to distinct stylistic voices?Closes: How to unlock emotional stuckness
    23:10 –31:00Developing Multiple VoicesHow can one author credibly write 19th-century maximalism, internet satire, and wry contemporary coming-of-age?RiseMany writers rely on a single personal brand, but Kuang treats narrative voice as an artificial mask shaped by speech immersion and switch-side debate.Opens: Where did she learn to adopt opposing perspectives so naturally?Closes: How she cultivates stylistic range
    31:00 –35:30Historical Slang and ResearchHow do you capture authentic historical dialogue without making it sound unreadable or alien?HoldModern readers expect period dialogue to sound archaic, but primary student diaries show Victorians used slang that sounded shockingly contemporary.Opens: Can technology replicate this nuanced historical observation?Closes: The debate roots of her literary shapeshifting
    35:30 –41:05Human Craft vs. Artificial IntelligenceWill LLMs make deep human observation and prose training obsolete?HoldAI generates plausible language instantly, but it can only generate 'volunteer words', therefore it cannot execute the playful linguistic friction of outsiders like Nabokov.Opens: What exact workflow does Kuang use to build books that AI cannot replicate?Closes: AI vs human creativity
    41:05 –48:10The Layered Drafting WorkflowHow do you assemble hundreds of chaotic research notes into a tight novel structure?RiseShe does not outline first, but instead vomits research fragments into a zero draft, therefore structuring occurs like multi-pass 3D animation where faces and furniture come last.Opens: How does she know when a scene is subconsciously ready to be written?Closes: How Kuang writes and polishes her books
    48:10 –52:55Subconscious Incubation and ImitationCan you train your brain to solve plot problems while you sleep?HoldConscious plotting often feels artificial, therefore she leaves files half-started to trigger subconscious processing and uses deliberate copywork of masters.Opens: How does she keep students from writing stiff, overly intellectual prose?Closes: Trusting subconscious incubation
    52:55 –57:30Embracing Camp and Timed PressureHow do you free writers from performance anxiety and the fear of producing bad sentences?HoldStudents try to write pristine prose immediately, therefore Kuang forces 15-minute absurd prompts under hostile conditions to force spontaneity.Opens: What thematic question anchors her current fiction?Closes: Classroom exercises to break perfectionism
    57:30 –1:01:30Language, Failure, and VulnerabilityWhy is the fear of looking foolish the single biggest barrier to creative growth?RiseLanguage learners seek flawless competence, but true human bonding and creative breakthrough only occur through public humiliation and error.Opens: What is the ultimate pedagogical goal of teaching writing?Closes: The central thematic engine of Taipei Story
    1:01:30 –1:04:40Demystifying Rhetorical MechanicsIs great writing an innate mystical gift or a learnable trade?HoldCulture treats writing as romantic inspiration, therefore Kuang reframes it entirely as technical craftsmanship composed of millions of micro-choices.Opens: What art does she recommend that exemplifies this standard?Closes: Demystifying literature for students
    1:04:40 –1:06:57Recommendations and OutroWhich specific works best illustrate ego-transcendence in narrative?FallSag: no turnCloses: Final media recommendations

    Payoff: delivered fully at 41:05. Kuang reveals her exact, unromanticized end-to-end drafting workflow from the messy 'zero draft' to layered structural passes, fully delivering on how she produces multi-genre bestsellers. Ending: The interview wraps with Kuang recommending an obscure Austrian novel and a Korean thriller, followed by a warm mutual sign-off without a strong cliffhanger or next-video push.

    Leaks

    Where a viewer might leave. Guesses from watching, not retention data.

    • 17:27 Hard cut from intense craft philosophy into a solo host commercial read for Alpha School breaks conversational momentum.
    • 35:34 Pivoting into generative AI risks turning a unique masterclass into generic tech discourse that viewers have heard everywhere.
    • 47:22 Discussing industry boundary talk and why she avoids brainstorming with peer authors slows the instructional pace.

    Steal this

    1. High-velocity credential montage with contrasting craft labels Establishes undeniable authority in under twenty seconds by rapidly pairing elite institutions with specific, contrasting stylistic modes. 0:00
    2. Somatic grounding to make abstract concepts instantly actionable Replaces vague writing advice ('show, don't tell') with a physical constraint: mapping emotional states onto anatomical silhouette drawings. 2:40
    3. The animation layering metaphor for multi-draft workflows Gives creators permission to write sloppy initial drafts by comparing early writing to 3D wireframes where character faces and textures are added last. 44:18
    4. High-friction timed prompts with emotional opposition Eliminates blank-page perfectionism by forcing students to describe a beautiful setting strictly through the eyes of someone who despises it. 55:48

    Skip this

    • Dense academic philosophy name-dropping (Iris Murdoch, Walter Benjamin, Umberto Eco). Kuang pulls this off because of her Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale pedigree; without those credentials, it can easily sound pretentious.
    • Minimalist static two-camera studio setup for over an hour. Relies entirely on the extreme verbal density and pedagogical brilliance of the guest to retain viewers without visual b-roll or sound effects.

    Open questions

    • Did viewer retention dip sharply during the mid-roll Alpha School sponsor read at 17:27?
    • Did the contrarian thumbnail text ('Easy Words Are Borrowed Thoughts') attract more non-writers than the channel's standard title framing?
    • Which chapter topic generated the highest rewatch spike in YouTube analytics: drafting mechanics or emotional honesty?

    Teardown by Avail.video from the thumbnail, the title, the first 20 seconds and the report's notes on the whole video.

    On screen

    Everything the video showed you

    Slides, frameworks, quotes and formulas, captured verbatim with the moment they appeared. Tap any card to jump there.

    Reference shelf

    People, ideas and things mentioned

    Said means mentioned aloud; Shown means it appeared on screen.

    People18

    • R.F. KuangBestselling novelist and author of Babel, Yellowface, and Katabasis.0:00Said + shown0:08Said14:46Said19:29Shown25:06Shown25:25Shown29:18Shown32:12Shown1:05:54Said
    • David PerellHost of the How I Write podcast and writing educator.0:00Said0:08Shown17:33Said28:10Said1:04:45Said
    • Iris MurdochBritish philosopher and novelist, author of The Sovereignty of Good.7:17Said + shown7:18Shown7:19Said
    • Betty EdwardsAmerican art educator and author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.13:52Shown13:53Shown
    • Verlyn KlinkenborgAuthor of Several Short Sentences About Writing and writing instructor.15:47Said + shown
    • Walter BenjaminGerman philosopher and cultural critic.36:35Said + shown
    • Vladimir NabokovRussian-American novelist celebrated for intricate English prose.39:20Said + shown39:21Shown
    • William ShakespeareEnglish playwright and poet.39:20Said
    • Piet MondrianDutch abstract painter known for De Stijl geometric compositions.50:40Said50:42Said + shown
    • Alexander CalderAmerican sculptor famous for inventing mobile kinetic art.50:37Said
    • Ursula K. Le GuinCelebrated American speculative fiction and fantasy author.51:12Said51:14Said + shown
    • Kazuo IshiguroBritish novelist and Nobel laureate.51:55Said + shown
    • Charles DickensVictorian English novelist.53:20Shown53:21Said + shown
    • Umberto EcoItalian semiotician, philosopher, and novelist.42:24Shown54:24Said + shown
    • Jorge Luis BorgesArgentine short-story writer, essayist, and poet.54:36Said + shown
    • Gabriel García MárquezColombian novelist and pioneer of magical realism.54:40Said + shown
    • Robert SeethalerAustrian novelist and actor, author of A Whole Life.1:04:49Said + shown
    • Park Chan-wookSouth Korean film director and screenwriter.1:06:02Said + shown

    Ideas & frameworks19

    • BabelHistorical fantasy novel by R.F. Kuang set in 1830s Oxford.0:06Said + shown25:06Shown25:10Said34:40Said
    • YellowfaceSatirical novel by R.F. Kuang examining the publishing industry and social media culture.0:06Said + shown25:25Shown25:28Said
    • KatabasisNovel project by R.F. Kuang dealing with depression, mythology, and suicide ideation.19:28Said19:29Shown19:32Shown32:12Shown
    • Taipei StoryNovel project by R.F. Kuang centered on study-abroad experiences and language mishaps.29:18Shown29:20Said58:20Said
    • The Poppy WarDebut historical military fantasy novel by R.F. Kuang.0:04Shown
    • The Dragon RepublicSecond novel in the Poppy War trilogy by R.F. Kuang.0:05Shown
    • Several Short Sentences About WritingBook on writing craft by Verlyn Klinkenborg.15:47Said + shown15:48Shown15:50Shown
    • Drawing on the Right Side of the BrainInstructional drawing book by Betty Edwards.13:52Said + shown13:53Shown13:54Shown
    • Steering the CraftGuide to writing style and structure by Ursula K. Le Guin.51:12Said51:16Shown
    • A Tale of Two CitiesHistorical novel set during the French Revolution by Charles Dickens.53:18Said53:21Said + shown53:22Shown
    • The Sovereignty of GoodWork of moral philosophy by Iris Murdoch focusing on unselfing.7:19Said7:21Said + shown
    • The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical ReproductionCultural critique essay by Walter Benjamin.36:39Shown36:40Shown
    • Pale FireNovel by Vladimir Nabokov composed of a poem and commentary.40:51Shown40:52Shown
    • LolitaNovel written by Vladimir Nabokov.43:37Shown43:38Shown
    • The Name of the RoseHistorical murder mystery novel by Umberto Eco.42:24Shown42:47Said + shown
    • FiccionesShort story collection by Jorge Luis Borges.43:36Shown
    • One Hundred Years of SolitudeLandmark magical realist novel by Gabriel García Márquez.43:40Said + shown
    • A Whole LifeAustrian novel by Robert Seethaler recommended by Kuang.44:48Shown44:49Shown
    • The FieldNovel by Robert Seethaler centered on voices from a cemetery.45:19Shown45:21Shown1:05:20Shown

    Organizations1

    • Alpha SchoolAccelerated school model focusing on adaptive learning and life skills.17:28Said + shown17:48Shown18:01Shown

    Things on screen1

    • Joint Security Area (JSA)South Korean thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook.46:02Shown46:03Shown1:06:00Said + shown1:06:02Shown
    Video description

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    The video

    Views
    430.4K
    Likes
    7.3K
    Comments
    257
    Published
    Sep 2, 2026
    Length
    1:06:57
    Category
    People & Blogs
    YouTube's topics
    Society
    Captions
    No
    HD
    Yes
    Language
    English
    Paid promotion
    None declared
    Made for kids
    No
    License
    Standard YouTube

    Creator's tags

    • writing advice
    • how to write
    • writing guide
    • writing
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    • knowledge
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    • david perell
    • how i write
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    The channel

    David Perell@davidperellchannel
    Subscribers
    333K
    Videos
    771
    Total views
    26.3M
    Channel age
    9 years (since Jan 2017)
    Country
    United States
    Uploads
    about every 6 days
    Across the last 8 long-form uploads
    Before this video
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    Calculated by Avail.video from YouTube's public numbers

    Outlier score
    2.6× · Above typical
    Views against the median of the channel's last 8 long-form uploads
    Views per subscriber
    1.29
    Likes vs the channel's usual
    1.1× the channel's usual
    1.7% of views vs a usual 1.5%
    Comments vs the channel's usual
    0.5× the channel's usual
    0.060% of views vs a usual 0.12%
    Rank among recent uploads
    #1 of 9
    By views: this video and the channel's last 8 long-form uploads
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    Watched by Avail.video · 2026-10-29