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.