How Stephen King Wrote Some of His BEST BOOKS! | Top 10 Rules

Summary

In this insightful video, renowned author Stephen King shares his top 10 rules for success in writing. He emphasizes the joy of the writing process over the finished product, the importance of a writer's notebook for capturing ideas, and his unique approach to developing stories. King also discusses the inevitable rejections writers face and how to persevere, drawing from his own experiences and offering a candid look into his creative world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace the joy of writing, even if you do it for free, but there's no harm in loving it for the money too.
• 📚 Writers often face rejection, but persistence is key to breaking through.
• ✍️ A writer's notebook can be useful, but Stephen King believes that only good ideas stick around naturally.
• 🔄 Creativity in writing is like finding new ways to cook eggs—there are always fresh approaches to familiar ideas.
• 🔥 Writing a novel is like building a campfire; characters contribute and the story grows until it becomes a bonfire.
• 📝 King doesn't plan his novels from the last line; he prefers discovering the story as he writes, unlike some other authors.
• 💡 The process of writing, not the finished product, is what King finds most enjoyable.
• 🎥 King shares his experience with his screenplay for 'The Shining' being rejected in favor of another version, showing the unpredictable nature of adaptations.
• 🗣️ Overthinking the audience's reaction can stifle creativity; King focuses on ideas he enjoys and wants to explore.
• 👻 The success of the film 'Carrie' taught King that even unexpected audiences can connect with his work in surprising ways.

Q & A

What does Stephen King believe is the best way to immortalize bad ideas?

Stephen King believes that a writer's notebook is the best way in the world to immortalize bad ideas.

How does Stephen King describe the process of writing a novel?

Stephen King describes writing a novel as building a little campfire on an empty dark plane, where characters come out of the dark with their own wood to add to the fire.

What is Stephen King's perspective on the idea of being a 'tortured artist'?

Stephen King thinks that some writers draw a cloak of the 'tortured artist' around them because it can get them free drinks and sympathy, but he personally has always felt fortunate to do what he loves.

How does Stephen King feel about the process of writing novels?

Stephen King loves the process of writing novels, stating that the fun for him isn't in the finished product but in the journey of creating it.

What is Stephen King's approach to generating new ideas for his stories?

Stephen King believes that there are as many ideas as there are probing, talented minds to explore them, and that even common themes can be refreshed with new approaches.

How does Stephen King handle rejection in his writing career?

Stephen King has learned to get used to rejection, stating that writers get thousands of rejection slips before they break through, and he sees it as part of the game.

What advice does Stephen King give about worrying too much about audience reception?

Stephen King advises not to spend too much time worrying about what the audience will like, as it may prevent you from creating anything they would enjoy.

How does Stephen King describe the initial moments when he starts writing?

Stephen King describes the first ten minutes of writing as being like smelling a dead fish or walking into a monkey house, indicating a challenging start that leads to a flow once something clicks.

What is Stephen King's view on the adaptation of his work into films and other media?

Stephen King views adaptations as a separate process from his writing, and he doesn't get upset when his vision differs from that of filmmakers, as he sees it as part of the creative process.

What is one of Stephen King's memorable experiences with an audience reaction to one of his book adaptations?

Stephen King recalls a screening of 'Carrie' where the audience, despite being expecting a comedy, became fully engaged and supportive of the film, showing him that his work could resonate with different audiences.

What lesson did Stephen King learn from a near-death experience that he shares in the script?

Stephen King learned that everything is on loan and that one should pass some of it on, implying the importance of generosity and sharing success with others.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Joy of Writing and Creative Process

Stephen King discusses his passion for writing, emphasizing that he would write even without financial gain but loves earning money from it. He highlights the importance of a writer's notebook for capturing ideas, both good and bad, and the process of refining those ideas over time. King also touches on the concept of the 'tortured artist' and rejects it, preferring to view writing as a fortunate job. He shares his approach to generating ideas, comparing it to cooking eggs in new ways and his experience with the idea for 'Under the Dome', which he initially shelved due to its complexity.

05:01

🔥 The Bonfire of Characters and Writing Experience

King uses the metaphor of a bonfire to describe the collective effort of characters in a novel, each contributing to the story's warmth and light. He contrasts his writing process with that of John Irving, who starts with the novel's last line, a method King finds unappealing. King values the journey of writing more than the finished product, seeing his books as 'dead skin' once completed. He recounts his experience with the film adaptation of 'The Shining', expressing his indifference to the changes made to his screenplay, and reflects on the evolution of book releases and the importance of not worrying about audience reception.

10:05

🎬 The Unexpected Success of 'Carrie'

In this paragraph, King recounts an anecdote about attending a screening of 'Carrie' in a predominantly African American neighborhood, expecting the audience to dislike the film due to its subject matter. Surprisingly, the audience was engaged and supportive of the film, reacting enthusiastically to its climax. King humorously describes the audience's reaction and the impact it had on him, solidifying his belief in the potential of his work to resonate with diverse audiences. He concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with the video's content and share their thoughts on his top ten rules for success.

Keywords

💡Tortured Artist

The 'Tortured Artist' is a stereotype often associated with creative individuals, suggesting that they suffer for their art. In the context of the video, Stephen King humorously dismisses this notion, indicating that he enjoys his work and does not see it as a burden. He references an album by Todd Rundgren to illustrate the idea that some artists might play up this persona for attention or sympathy, but King himself does not relate to this concept.

💡Writer's Notebook

A 'Writer's Notebook' is a tool used by authors to jot down ideas, thoughts, and concepts that may be developed into larger works later. King mentions that while a writer's notebook can immortalize bad ideas, it also serves as a repository for the seeds of future creative projects. He implies that the process of writing involves sifting through these ideas, much like shaking bread crumbs in a strainer to separate the substantial from the trivial.

💡Idea Generation

Idea generation is the process of creating new concepts or storylines for creative works. King suggests that there are as many ideas as there are minds to explore them, drawing an analogy to the infinite ways one can prepare eggs, despite having eaten them many times. He emphasizes that creativity is not about discovering completely new concepts but finding fresh perspectives on familiar themes.

💡Rejection

Rejection is a common experience for writers, especially in the early stages of their careers. King speaks about receiving 'thousands of rejection slips' before achieving success. This concept is integral to the video's theme, as it underscores the perseverance required in the creative process. King normalizes rejection as a part of the journey, rather than a deterrent.

💡Immortalize

To 'immortalize' something is to preserve it in a lasting form, often through art or literature. In the video, King uses this term to describe the role of a writer's notebook in preserving ideas, even if they are initially considered 'bad.' The concept ties into the broader message of the video, which is about the value of capturing and nurturing creative thoughts over time.

💡Under the Dome

'Under the Dome' is a novel by Stephen King, mentioned in the video as an example of an idea that stayed with him over many years before he felt ready to write it. This reference illustrates King's point about the longevity of good ideas and how they can be revisited and developed when the time is right.

💡Process Over Product

The phrase 'process over product' highlights the importance of enjoying the creative process itself rather than focusing solely on the end result. King expresses this preference, stating that he loves the act of writing and the time spent with his characters more than the finished books, which he likens to 'dead skin.' This concept is central to the video's message about the joy of creation.

💡Ideas and Obsessions

King discusses the source of his ideas, suggesting that they come from an internal wellspring that he does not fully understand. He also touches on the idea of obsession, indicating that once an idea 'clicks,' it can consume his thoughts and lead to a productive writing phase. This concept is key to understanding King's approach to storytelling and his ability to create engaging narratives.

💡Escapism

Escapism refers to the act of seeking distraction and relief from reality, often through creative outlets like reading or writing. King mentions the addictive nature of his creative process, which allows him to escape the mundane concerns of daily life. This concept is relevant to the video's theme, as it shows how writing can provide a form of mental and emotional refuge.

💡Stewardship

Stewardship is the concept of being a caretaker or manager of something, often with a responsibility to use it wisely for the benefit of others. King uses this term to discuss his view on wealth and success, suggesting that everything is on 'loan' and that it's important to give back. This idea ties into the video's broader message about the responsibilities that come with creative success.

Highlights

Stephen King discusses the joy of writing for both personal fulfillment and financial reward.

He humorously addresses the public's curiosity about his intelligence and the cliché questions he often receives.

King emphasizes that there are only a few good ideas in the horror genre, but they can be reinvented.

He advocates for a writer's notebook as a tool to capture and refine ideas over time.

King shares his process of developing ideas, comparing it to shaking a strainer to filter out the best ones.

He recalls the origin of 'Under the Dome', an idea he had in 1973 that took decades to write.

King describes writing a novel as building a campfire in the dark, with characters contributing to the fire.

He contrasts his writing approach with that of John Irving, who starts with the last line of a novel.

King reveals his love for the writing process over the finished product, likening old books to 'dead skin'.

He recounts his experience writing the screenplay for 'The Shining' and the subsequent rejection by Stanley Kubrick.

King advises not to worry about audience reception, as it can stifle creativity.

He shares his method of finding ideas, starting with a small spark that leads to a larger story.

King warns of the addictive nature of writing and the importance of maintaining a balance with real life.

He reflects on the financial aspect of writing, viewing all possessions as loans and advocating for generosity.

King recounts his experience attending a screening of 'Carrie' and the unexpected positive reaction from the audience.

He concludes with gratitude for his career and the opportunity to share his work with readers.

Transcripts

because I do it for free if I couldn't

do it for money but I love doing it for

money a lot of times when people come to

see me they want to see if I'm really

that how many times in your life have

you eaten eggs but there's always a new

way to fix eggs so writers notebook is

the best way in the world to immortalize

bad ideas for me the fun of writing

novels isn't in the finished product you

get thousands of rejection slips before

you break through you kind of get used

to that I usually finish a book and say

geez I don't want to say goodbye to

these people his people will say where

do you get your ideas I don't know where

I get them you know and if I did man

would I tell you you go broke

everything's on loan anyway I hear one

of them saying that's it that's it that

girl ain't never gonna be right he's an

American author of contemporary horror

science fiction and fantasy his books

have sold over 350 million copies many

of his books have been adapted into

films miniseries TV shows and comics

he's Stephen King and here his top 10

rules for success well the whole thing

about the writer who sees the job is a

burden and so they struggle along it

makes me think it was an album by a rock

artist named Todd Rundgren it was called

the ever-popular tortured artist effect

and I sometimes think that writers draw

this this cloak of the tortured artist

around them because a you can get free

drinks and the chicks love it you know

they love that tortured thing going on

but I've always thought that it was a

terrific job and I've always felt very

very fortunate blessed really to be able

to do it because I do it for free if I

couldn't do it for money but I love

doing it

money it sounds that sounds kind of

nasty doesn't I love doing it for money

a lot of times when people come to see

me they want to see if I'm really dumb

here's the thing okay a lot of times as

if you're recording all this you're

going to have to bleep it because I have

to be Who I am a lot of times you know

when I do these interviews they'll ask

you questions and they'll say what was

your childhood like and I no longer

Brooke that question I just tell the

interviewer what you want to know is

what traumatized me so badly that I

write this creepy the answer is nothing

nothing that I remember anyway but of

course I wouldn't tell you anyway

particularly in the horror genre there

are only three or four really good ideas

and we've all done them before and it's

really okay I mean like how many times

in your life have you eaten eggs but

there's always a new way to fix aches

and you know I look at it that way you

can always find a new way to do it but I

think that there are as many ideas as

there are sort of probing talented minds

to explore those ideas people will say

do you keep a notebook and the answer is

I think a writer's notebook is the best

way in the world to immortalize bad

ideas my idea about a good idea is one

that sticks around and sticks around and

sticks around it's like to me it's like

if you were to put bread crumbs in a

strainer and shake it which is what the

passage of time is for me it's like

shaking a strainer all this stuff that's

not very big and not very important just

kind of dissolves and falls out but the

good stuff stays you know the big pieces

stay I had the idea for under the dome

when I was teaching high school back in

1973 and it was just too big for me and

I was too young for it and I wrote about

25 26 pages and put it away does it see

at the beginning of this book where this

woodchuck gets cut in half when this

dome comes down over this town I had

written that part when I was in in my

early 20s and just sort of recreated it

from memory when I when I wrote the book

so the good stuff stays the best

description of writing a novel that I

ever heard it's actually in Thomas

Williams this book the hair of Harold

drew which is about a novelist trying to

write a novel and it just covers like

one or two days in this process and a

lot of things happen to him it's a

fabulous book but he says that writing a

novel is like building a little campfire

on an empty dark plane and one by one

these characters come out of the dark

and each one has a little pile of wood

and they put it on the fire and if

you're very lucky before the fire goes

out it's this big bonfire and all the

characters stand around it and warm

themselves and that's the way it's

always been for me I have a good friend

over in Vermont John Irving and John

says that she always begins a novel by

writing the last line and to me that's

like eating your dessert before you eat

the meal and I don't I everybody works a

different way and God blessed John and

he's done some wonderful work in his

lifetime and he'll probably do some more

but I could never write a book that way

the way that I think of it you know is

that fire I love that particular image

but I've also always thought of it in

terms of there's a little thread a

little red thread that goes into a hole

in the baseboard and you just start to

pull it out and you see what's on the

other end of it and sooner or later you

get there for me the fun of writing

novels isn't in the finished product

which I don't care about that much

there's a guy who is looking at my shelf

over there all the books are on the

shelf and to me those are like dead skin

the things that are that are done but I

love the process a little while later I

wrote a book called The Shining and it

was my third book

and I got contractual rights to write

the first draft screenplay for that and

I did do that and I found out later that

Stanley Kubrick who had got the rights

through Warner Brothers had already

determined that he and a lady named

Diane Johnson were going to do the

screenplay for The Shining so they

basically my screenplay went in and they

said no this won't do and then they went

on to what they really wanted to do

which was fine I wasn't angry or upset

you you're not after a while you get

thousands of rejection slips before you

break through you kind of get used to

that and it's just part of the game but

the thing is you learn you learn little

by little if you release books

differently now than you used to in that

like do you have a different definition

of what a successful book is or where on

the eve of a books release to you paint

a special kind of attention to how will

be received or how it's being reviewed I

think that if you spend too much time

worrying about what the audience is

going to like that they're not going to

like anything that you do I just look

for ideas that I really enjoy something

that I really want to live with for a

while like the story about the people

under the dome and I get into it most of

the time and then I just have a ball I

never finished a book and felt like I'm

glad that's done I usually finish a book

and say geez I don't want to say goodbye

to these people and if the people read

it feel the same way then then I'm

really happy look you know a lot of

these interviews the question that I

it's the worst is people will say where

do you get your ideas I don't know where

I get them you know and if I did man

would I tell you I mean Jesus they've

been good to me

all I know is that I sit down and I turn

on the machine and there's always that

first ten minutes it's like smelling a

dead fish or walking into a monkey house

and then something will click a little

tiny bit and that leads to something

else and it's like until it's going

faster and faster and then you hit this

kind of escape velocity you're gone the

world the normal mundane sort of stupid

world where you got to do the breakfast

dishes and you got to make the beds you

know and you got to worry about getting

the kid to the dentist all that's gone

but there's a place where you have to

walk away from it because it's so kind

of addictive they otherwise you might

just sit there and skip meals and just

being lost in that world you wouldn't

want to do that because that's sort of

the way crazy people are in institutions

you know what I'm saying

and here's a secret I learned six

summers ago buying a ditch in a ditch

beside the road covered in my own blood

and thinking that I was going to die you

go broke everything's on loan anyway

you're not an owner you're only a

steward so pass some of it on you may

not have much now but you're going to

have a lot and when you do remember the

ones who don't have anything a dime out

of every dollar Brian DePalma made a

film out of Carey and I was a very young

writer and you know I got no particular

consideration and certainly nobody sent

me a screener or set up a screening or

anything like that I don't think

screeners had been invented in 1975

that's how old I am

but anyway they had sneak previews on

Halloween night and I think 1975 and the

idea was that they would piggyback carry

on another film and you would get two

for the price of one and that way they

would get an idea of what the potential

was for the film so they were going to

they were going to do a

a screening one of these screenings in

Boston and I said to my wife let's go in

the car and go down and see what they

made on my book and she said okay so we

went down well the film was in Roxbury

which at that time it was a fairly black

suburb and it was playing with a black

at not exploitation but a black oriented

comedy called Norman is that you which

starred Redd Foxx and we were like two

little grains of salt in a pepper shaker

in that theatre and Norman is that you

was really funny and the audience was

rock and rolling and everything and I

leaned over to my wife and said what's

coming next is a film about a little

skinny white girl with menstrual

problems

and

and this audience is going to hate it

and she said god bless her I mean she

fished carry out of the trash I threw it

away and she picked it out and so she

said well why don't you wait and see

so they got they really got into it and

I was just amazed but they were like

totally on her side and you know it was

like the girls are pelting carry with

sanitary napkins and people in this

theater are yelling kill those [ __ ]

you know and stuff because in those days

they they screamed at the screen you

know they don't do it people are so

sophisticated now I'd be like don't go

up those stairs like Jamie Lee Curtis is

going to hear you'd say okay I won't go

up those stairs you know get a life so

this is the thing the end of the movie

comes and DiPalma did something that

nobody had done up to that time you

think the movie is over and Sue Snell

goes to Carrie's grave and this this

music playing it's kind of sweet and

everything see I mean this is such a

trauma that some of you are already

going over hood no because you know and

in the middle of this while she's

putting flowers on the grave all through

the movie behind my wife and me there

were these two guys that were the size

of NFL players you know they were these

great big broad shouldered strapping

guys and that arm comes out of the grave

and they scream like a couple of little

girl

and they're hugging each other and I

hear one of them saying that's it

that's it that girl ain't never gonna be

right and I thought I got to myself I

may have a future in this business thank

you so much for watching I made this

video because Shane Parks asked me to so

there's a famous entrepreneur that you

want me to profile next leave me in the

comments below and I'll see what I can

do

I'd also love to know which is Stephen

King's top ten rules resonated most with

you leave it in the comments I'll join

the discussion and my personal go on the

channel is to get to 1 million

subscribers so anything you can do to

share this video spread it I'd really

really appreciate it thank you so much

for watching

continue to believe and I'll see you

soon