“Have A Plan, And Be Willing To Abandon It” - How George Saunders Picks His Writing Topics

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Stephen welcomes one of his favorite authors, George Saunders, back to The Late Show to discuss his writing process and his latest book, “Liberation Day,” which is available everywhere now. #Colbert #GeorgeSaunders #LiberationDay
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Пікірлер: 126

  • @kevinmilne3487
    @kevinmilne3487 Жыл бұрын

    This. This right here is why Colbert is leagues above other late night TV. This is an interview from a bygone era; when we didn’t shy away from some true intelligent discussion. Instead we reduced ourselves to pseudo reality tv. Thank you Colbert!

  • @stefanfrankel8157

    @stefanfrankel8157

    Жыл бұрын

    I don't know how old you are, but I remember when Jack Paar did interviews like this on the original Tonight Show. He'd actually have 10 minute discussions with his favorite author. I forget the guy's name, but it was always interesting. I also listened to the Long John Nebel show on WOR out of New York City on my Philco radio in Philadelphia. And people wonder why folks fall for the most bizarre theories about a flat earth and a faked moon landing.

  • @dark_neverland

    @dark_neverland

    Жыл бұрын

    I agree tonight honestly think it's one of the reasons he gets so many guests on his show that hardly ever do TV interviews or interviews at all

  • @patriciabagby90

    @patriciabagby90

    Жыл бұрын

    Great point.

  • @gixellia8455

    @gixellia8455

    Жыл бұрын

    Well said. Thank you :o)

  • @lfeb

    @lfeb

    Жыл бұрын

    You should check out Trevor Noah's interviews. Very deep almost every time

  • @JillWhitcomb1966
    @JillWhitcomb1966 Жыл бұрын

    Due to seeing author George Saunders on your show, I've now enrolled in a George Saunders Literature class as part of my MFA degree coursework. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • @kathrynmceachern9503

    @kathrynmceachern9503

    Жыл бұрын

    Colbert never fails to inspire. It's a little eerie... But, amazing!

  • @guywolff
    @guywolff Жыл бұрын

    I think this is my favorite interaction from 50 years of seeing the Late SHow .

  • @BooksForever
    @BooksForever Жыл бұрын

    I was just behind George Saunders in earning our Bachelor of Science degrees in engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. He’s one of those relatively rare engineers who has a facility for words that even exceeds his command of numbers. Great guy!

  • @Junksaint

    @Junksaint

    Жыл бұрын

    Good way of putting it, you have a faculty for words yourself, Sir.

  • @marshwetland3808

    @marshwetland3808

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Junksaint Facility, not faculty...don't you hate autocorrect? Or maybe it was a joke.

  • @grazeinthepasture

    @grazeinthepasture

    Жыл бұрын

    @@marshwetland3808 *shoves glasses up nose* actually it's fac......No one likes you, Marsh.

  • @charliejsanders

    @charliejsanders

    Жыл бұрын

    So what! 🎉 Noice!!

  • @boffo63
    @boffo63 Жыл бұрын

    That was much too short of an interview. Brilliant people talking.

  • @jeanneratterman
    @jeanneratterman Жыл бұрын

    I like what he said about have a plan and not being attached to it. Organic development after you step off into the creative process is the best.

  • @peggygallagher5802
    @peggygallagher5802 Жыл бұрын

    What an amazing discussion about the writing process...

  • @emilytamayomaher
    @emilytamayomaher Жыл бұрын

    Wow, so admire George Saunders and now admire Stephen Colbert even more.

  • @rjtroy2214
    @rjtroy2214 Жыл бұрын

    Interviews like this are 100x better than interviews with most movie and tv stars

  • @bethhawks8678
    @bethhawks8678 Жыл бұрын

    I just went to symphonyspace and watched this reading. He's right. It is stunningly beautiful.

  • @krisfrederick5001
    @krisfrederick5001 Жыл бұрын

    I have never heard of this man, as a songwriter I can relate to a lot of this, and so glad that I have.

  • @mfpendle

    @mfpendle

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh, man. Read everything you can by George Saunders - it's all incredible

  • @melanies.6030

    @melanies.6030

    Жыл бұрын

    He's absolutely brilliant. His stories are mind-bending.

  • @krisfrederick5001

    @krisfrederick5001

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LorentJalabert Orwell has his own sense of Gallows Humor

  • @CalebDBarnes

    @CalebDBarnes

    7 ай бұрын

    If you appreciate songwriting and Saunders, check out his conversation with Jason Isbell

  • @RawDiscovery
    @RawDiscovery Жыл бұрын

    I just started writing a story and this interview couldn't have come at a better time. Thank you for this conversation.

  • @amberandrews6842

    @amberandrews6842

    Жыл бұрын

    Enjoy the adventure! 💜💜

  • @Booksandchess

    @Booksandchess

    Жыл бұрын

    Check out his book called a swim in the pond (or something like that). It’s a great book about writing by exploring Russian short stories.

  • @OrangeDurito

    @OrangeDurito

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Booksandchess Thank you so much for the recommendation. I have added this book in my Goodreads TBR.

  • @hoozle
    @hoozle Жыл бұрын

    More from this dude pls, great interview, thanks for once again introducing me to a fascinating person

  • @muhammadumer7833
    @muhammadumer7833 Жыл бұрын

    Stephen has earned my respect time and again because of these interviews. You asked all the right and natural questions. These were all the questions I wanted to ask George. Youre an exceptional host because you adapt as per your guests. God bless. Love from Pakistan 🇵🇰

  • @jeannefoster5594
    @jeannefoster5594 Жыл бұрын

    Short stories are magical. So well done. I avoid reading them because they’re so great I don’t want them to end.

  • @carbine090909
    @carbine090909 Жыл бұрын

    my daughter turned me onto him, love his work, yhanks for hosting him!

  • @kernjames
    @kernjames Жыл бұрын

    Saunders, what a genius.

  • @Achdujeh
    @Achdujeh Жыл бұрын

    I already like that Interview before watching it, because I LOOOOOOOOVE George Saunders' "The Very Persistant Gappers of Frip' with Lane Smiths sweet Illustrations OMG! And I love short stories, and now that I know he writes short stories to I will definetely go buy more of him.

  • @Boomer_Johnson
    @Boomer_Johnson Жыл бұрын

    My favorite part of doing improv is when you work off the other person. When you don't have a plan and you are unprepared, you can the the most genius and funniest stuff just from flying blind. Man plans, God laughs. Having a plan, ruins any chance for a belly laugh or tears running down an upturned cheek from the laugh. My funniest moments are when I've worked with someone that can listen and think on the fly.

  • @pirobot668beta
    @pirobot668beta Жыл бұрын

    When I was in the Army, we had a training exercise: "Imagine your mission is to drive 5 trucks from A to B. Now imagine that X happens at this point on the map. Now what do you do now?" We spent 8 grueling hours going over every conceivable 'X' that could happen to 5 trucks driving 3 miles down a lonely road. Conclusion: Your carefully laid plans will evaporate like Summer rain, be ready to think fast! Clinging to plans and schemes whose time has past is a sign of childish thinking. "Stay the course!"

  • @matthewcates2337
    @matthewcates2337 Жыл бұрын

    Man, I needed this.

  • @screenwriterabdullahh.erak2778
    @screenwriterabdullahh.erak2778 Жыл бұрын

    As a huge fan of Mr. Saunders, I want to thank you Mr. Colbert for having him on YOUR show!!!

  • @Chiater
    @Chiater Жыл бұрын

    I love these intelligent conversations. I come to expect them from Stephen and find I Wade through the Hollywood star interviews (which on occasion can surprise me but usually are more shallow) to wait for one of these gems

  • @samkurlekar
    @samkurlekar Жыл бұрын

    This was such a beautiful interview that went beyond platitudes and crowd pleasing. Rare to see those nowadays

  • @ammaleslie509
    @ammaleslie509 Жыл бұрын

    I wasn't interested in this guest. But then Stephen said "one of my favorite authors", and i trust his taste. So I watched and was amazed and wish they'd do an hour together.

  • @micaeladelgado76

    @micaeladelgado76

    Жыл бұрын

    Same with me

  • @TheLadyBlerd

    @TheLadyBlerd

    Жыл бұрын

    Ngl I was just letting the playlist run trying to get to sleep... now I'm about to google more about this guy 😅😅😅

  • @OrangeDurito
    @OrangeDurito Жыл бұрын

    Ah what a lovely interview this was! He is so articulate and eloquent with his way of explaining things. Thank you for introducing me to him.

  • @BestFitSquareChannel
    @BestFitSquareChannel Жыл бұрын

    A lovely, lovely human being… 🥂

  • @wendelynanderson9517
    @wendelynanderson9517 Жыл бұрын

    Visual artists too are about letting the process determine the outcome.

  • @janetfrench1576
    @janetfrench1576 Жыл бұрын

    I loved, loved , loved " Lincoln in the Bardo"! Please read if you have not.

  • @kowen5323
    @kowen5323 Жыл бұрын

    make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, throw away the plan. -Leonard Snart

  • @UnderstandingDarkness

    @UnderstandingDarkness

    Жыл бұрын

    Legendary! 😍

  • @Booksandchess
    @Booksandchess Жыл бұрын

    Please interview more authors of this caliber

  • @reneekad
    @reneekad Жыл бұрын

    That Stephen King short story about the siblings and the ladder keeps coming up.

  • @sarahogawa7035
    @sarahogawa7035 Жыл бұрын

    Saw the interview. Bought the book. Just read the story. Absolutely amazing! It’s been frightening and surreal to watch the situation unfold these past few years from my expat home in Kyoto, Japan. This story made it even more so. Thank you for this important book recommendation and a great interview with an incredible writer.

  • @tcreative8030
    @tcreative8030 Жыл бұрын

    George is the best!!!

  • @summe1972
    @summe1972 Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant author.

  • @satanicscrotumsucker155

    @satanicscrotumsucker155

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes sir the watch list 😎😎😎🤠and the devil’s hard rock candy mountain circus 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡funny huh?

  • @GavinKing22
    @GavinKing22 Жыл бұрын

    Great lecture!

  • @janinemeier7201
    @janinemeier7201 Жыл бұрын

    This was another great interview. Colbert brings such interesting people on and has a great way of getting them to open up .

  • @McLKeith
    @McLKeith Жыл бұрын

    "Getting to that place where your mind has quieter, all your usual easy opinions get. You get into a Holy state of not knowing anything." That sounds pretty Zen to me.

  • @nancya7289

    @nancya7289

    Жыл бұрын

    I think Ezra Klein interviewed Saunders where they discussed the impact of practicing meditation.

  • @lionelflores1775
    @lionelflores1775 Жыл бұрын

    Great explanations of discovery!

  • @cygam00
    @cygam00 Жыл бұрын

    Wow, this man is amazing! Pick whichever person you think I'm talking about and I guarantee you'll be correct.

  • @trevawhitmoyer682
    @trevawhitmoyer682 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent ethos.

  • @djameson5576
    @djameson5576 Жыл бұрын

    Everyone, check out "MY FLAMBOYANT GRANDSON" by him and performed by Harris Yulin.

  • @DFTBA.
    @DFTBA. Жыл бұрын

    This interview was just a wonderful break from political mess and even big celebrities. It's just an honest intelligent conversation where the author is treated respectfully and allowed to do most of the talking with prompts to explore another thought once he's done with the story he's telling at any moment... I'd love more of these. I also really like that tie Saunders is wearing for some reason. It just looks so... HIM. It's like someone took his lovely brain and scribbled its essence onto the tie, a pretty bit of chaos that has adjacent thoughts/similar shapes and such but doesn't just repeat the same old same old circular story over and over. It matches him (and I've always thought he's a rare one whose face truly suits his facial hair, not that it matters... just makes him super-pleasant to watch chatting w/Stephen, that and the warm dad vibe in his eyes when he grins). I'd love him to be part of #P4A or just partner somehow with John Green. They're both incredibly thoughtful, sentimental people I like a lot, even more as people than authors though they're both great at their craft, different as their works are (and for different audiences overall).

  • @vicj2141
    @vicj2141 Жыл бұрын

    Good questions.

  • @dandanner3111
    @dandanner3111 Жыл бұрын

    Ah, that's what's wrong with me. I have Life-block... stupidly high expectations of life.

  • @julesmm

    @julesmm

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly! 😂😂😂

  • @RandyWilsonESQ

    @RandyWilsonESQ

    Жыл бұрын

    yes! i am much happier now that i consciously work on lowering expectations for everything

  • @stefanfrankel8157
    @stefanfrankel8157 Жыл бұрын

    This guy looks like one of Castle's writing buddies in the TV show.

  • @suekelsey1329
    @suekelsey1329 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome Thank You!!!

  • @annevandenbosch5309
    @annevandenbosch5309 Жыл бұрын

    When do you find yourself on KZread taking away life lessons, getting schooled in writing and feeling still for the kindness you just watched? Only with Colbert baby, only with Colbert.

  • @anitawebster9450
    @anitawebster9450 Жыл бұрын

    This was my process when making jewelry too: I know what I want to make; I take it apart at LEAST 3 times; NOW I'm happy with what I made. Every time! 👍

  • @vargasfamily282
    @vargasfamily282 Жыл бұрын

    Love the book cover!

  • @steveconn
    @steveconn Жыл бұрын

    The ending is usually something writers have in mind even if the story shifts on the way. "Beautiful border guards?"

  • @12x2richter

    @12x2richter

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm no professional, but I've written a few short stories, and generally I think of it as "I've thought of the punchline, now I have to write the joke"

  • @marshwetland3808

    @marshwetland3808

    Жыл бұрын

    On horses coming down a hill. It could be beautiful. Since he's not trying to escape them but rather got good info from them!

  • @dianarosen3861

    @dianarosen3861

    Жыл бұрын

    @@marshwetland3808 maybe they were women.

  • @bettyvick2850
    @bettyvick2850 Жыл бұрын

    Fox 8 is such a wonderful book. 🦊

  • @6p00l
    @6p00l Жыл бұрын

    Amazing insights and interview

  • @jwnyc3
    @jwnyc3 Жыл бұрын

    OK well now I know why Saunders is my writing god.

  • @calpal9983
    @calpal9983 Жыл бұрын

    Great interview!

  • @ceebs648
    @ceebs648 Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant Interview. I’m currently reading Tenth of December and it’s fantastic. He has become one of my favourite authors.

  • @annsanse2935
    @annsanse2935 Жыл бұрын

    manage your ego, don't let your ego manage you. you are not your ego.

  • @modernape9878
    @modernape9878 Жыл бұрын

    at 1:32, Kimmel or Fallon would've made some joke that would've derailed Saunders's whole train of thought. The conversation would have gotten lost in the laughter, never to return with the same passion. You can criticize Colbert for a lot, but I love that he knows when to shut the fuck up and let his guest finish their thought.

  • @NewMessage
    @NewMessage Жыл бұрын

    Hershel Walker has the same philosophy about kids.

  • @mrburns1436
    @mrburns1436 Жыл бұрын

    What an engaging guest! Dang this interview was way too short.

  • @aidanmargarson8910
    @aidanmargarson8910 Жыл бұрын

    they are going to be playing "so what" as they fly toward Jupiter

  • @amygeyer1166
    @amygeyer1166 Жыл бұрын

    I watch Rachel, I buy a book, I watch Stephen, I buy a book 😊

  • @BigPhilly15
    @BigPhilly157 ай бұрын

    I’m a conservative who loves George Saunders’s fiction. Brilliant, funny writer.

  • @YouGuessIGuess
    @YouGuessIGuess Жыл бұрын

    If you haven't read anything by Saunders, do yourself a favor and check out one of his short story collections.

  • @bluewheels3980
    @bluewheels3980 Жыл бұрын

    Can anyone share a link to the short story reading that Steven did they were talking about in the segment or is it behind a paywall?

  • @MelissaThompson432
    @MelissaThompson4326 ай бұрын

    I was not able to get Symphony Space to give up the reading. I would love to have a link to it.

  • @sanjanasp8222
    @sanjanasp8222 Жыл бұрын

    "Have a plan and be willing to abandon it" someone tell Musk? :D

  • @peggygallagher5802
    @peggygallagher5802 Жыл бұрын

    🙏💜✌

  • @nicolamcguinness8689
    @nicolamcguinness8689 Жыл бұрын

    John larch talk about Jamie dornan

  • @J.AF.16
    @J.AF.16 Жыл бұрын

    A good gambler has gotta know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em.

  • @anthonyschlott916

    @anthonyschlott916

    Жыл бұрын

    Know when to walk away and know when to run

  • @robyntarantino3151
    @robyntarantino3151 Жыл бұрын

    Loved Fox 8 - although it also crushed me...

  • @reneekad
    @reneekad Жыл бұрын

    Kim told me Bob Saggat lived there

  • @MissyGail4eva
    @MissyGail4eva Жыл бұрын

    dibs on 2nd

  • @macforme
    @macforme Жыл бұрын

    Great guest ...but I guess no one around here proofreads the Closed Captions before publication.... they were dreadful. eg: To me, that's Chicago in a shutshell.

  • @reneekad
    @reneekad Жыл бұрын

    Kim used to tell me Britney Spears hung out at Starbucks there.

  • @alsaunders2490
    @alsaunders2490 Жыл бұрын

    Way to go uncle george, not my real uncle.

  • @iamthirdyt
    @iamthirdyt Жыл бұрын

    4:28 I’m so glad from the results of this midterm election we can see that the majority of Americans is still nice and have basic decency and common sense. It’s heartwarming to see Democrats AND lots of Republicans come together and say Trump is toxic, egoistic, and just a mean bully, and say enough is enough. I’m so glad from the results of this midterm election we can see that the majority of Americans is still nice and have basic decency and common sense. It’s heartwarming to seen Democrats AND lots of Republicans come together and say Trump is toxic, egoistic, and just a mean bully, and enough is enough. We don’t have to keep going backwards! Faith in America is restored! There is hope!

  • @globalwarmhugs7741
    @globalwarmhugs7741 Жыл бұрын

    America was not built by mutual consensus.

  • @quicoule

    @quicoule

    Жыл бұрын

    No one said the consensus came easily

  • @globalwarmhugs7741

    @globalwarmhugs7741

    Жыл бұрын

    @@quicoule it wasn't a consensus. It was built upon the backs of people who were stolen, upon stolen land.

  • @reneekad
    @reneekad Жыл бұрын

    I like fun but I prefer to do a lot or work too

  • @reneekad

    @reneekad

    Жыл бұрын

    Until situations get resolved, and while things are pretty bad on the ground, I stick to fun/lighthearted things.

  • @reneekad

    @reneekad

    Жыл бұрын

    Judging by the looks on peoples faces they are realizing how bad things have been for how long and for returns we haven’t gotten. At all.

  • @KARYTTAH_PopMetal_Rock_BAND
    @KARYTTAH_PopMetal_Rock_BAND Жыл бұрын

    > 😏 Maybe We're The 1st Spiritist* Pop-Metal Or Rock Band In This World... But Don't Pay Much Attention To Our Neanderthal English, HaHa ❤ HaHa *NOTE: > Spiritist is who professes Spiritism, the Gospel continuation It has began with the books by Allan Kardec and continued in the books by Francisco C. Xavier, the greatest and more important medium/prophet of spirits of the last centuries...

  • @alfrednewman2234
    @alfrednewman2234 Жыл бұрын

    Just under 2 yrs to get out the vote.

  • @MusicGuru09
    @MusicGuru09 Жыл бұрын

    *Only two people talk about wisdom* *one who is older and* *The other one who has stumbled a lot at a young age*

  • @scritthekid5943
    @scritthekid59432 ай бұрын

    Imagine a time when people, even brilliant people, sincerely believed Joe Biden would save America, The same people who prayed to the great Savior Obama.

  • @marcusantoniusAfterDark
    @marcusantoniusAfterDark Жыл бұрын

    Cool. I am 50 and…never heard of him? Read anything? Well i love audi books and of course best list/short list stuff. Must take a look at his work. Maybe i am wrong.

  • @peterschild4015
    @peterschild4015 Жыл бұрын

    His jeans are the exact same color as the chair he's sitting on. I can't tell where the jeans stop and the sofa starts.

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