Anne Applebaum: "Shared Memories Bring Us Closer Than Expected"

Historian Anne Applebaum, a renowned expert on Russia and autocratic regimes, has shared a key piece of life advice: stay in touch with your old friends. The Pulitzer Prize winner, who writes extensively on global autocratic systems, believes these connections are more vital than often realized.

Applebaum, who is both American and Polish, resides in Poland with her husband, Radosław Sikorski, the current Polish Foreign Minister. Her work has earned her significant accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize and the German Book Peace Prize, underscoring her influence in historical and political discourse.

When reflecting on what she wishes she had known earlier in life, Applebaum's advice extends beyond personal relationships to the craft of writing. She suggests a practical approach: prioritize getting the core message down on paper first, rather than getting bogged down in crafting perfect sentences from the outset. This allows for a more fluid and efficient revision process.

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Focus not on formulating every sentence perfectly. Just get what you really want to say down on paper. Then you can revise it.