10 Writing Tips from Stephen King for Writers and Screenwriters
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Stephen King On Writing interview collection of Screenwriting Lessons with George Rr Martin and others. Many of his short stories and books were adapted into movies like The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, It, The Stand, The Shining, Carrie, Misery, Stand by Me, Pet Sematary,...
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0:00 - Intro
0:40 - If you don’t succeed get a bigger nail
1:28 - Write 6 pages a day
3:12 - Go where the story leads you
5:08 - The good ideas will stay with you
6:17 - First you read and copy other writers, then little by little you develop your own style
7:02 - Writing is self hypnosis, you need to have a routine
7:25 - Start with short stories and let them develop into novels or screenplays
8:27 - Learn to write for different mediums
10:27 - Look for ideas that you would really enjoy writing for longer periods
11:11 - Get immersed in your writing process until the outside world is gone
12:35 - Outro
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#StephenKing #Writing #Writer #Screenplay #Screenwriting
I literally wrote a letter to him and asked for writing advice and he sent me about a 6 page essay on writing🤯🤯🤯
Lol. Great .
That's awesome!!
How did you send him a letter if I may ask? I wanted to do that since the 90s but being from an eastern European poor country never had an idea how to contact him.
That’s cool
is there anyway you can share that? Id like to see it, of course you its up to you whether you want to share it or not.
I love that he said writing can be learned but probably not taught
That's exactly how it is. I also love this tip: a good idea is one that sticks around. Many writing teachers/professors recommend you carry around a notepad to write down any ideas that pop into your head. However, the best ideas are the ones that stick with you and won't go away because you are clearly passionate about it.
@Sahra Sands Ironically, King was an english teacher.
so... then why do we have english class to worry about
I don't particularly love that he said it... but it's probably a true statement. Probably. However, you can teach people to be better at what they're capable of doing. Like a mentor of sorts....
Me too! I've been struggling because I've been trying to convince people of that fact. Honestly, I've been following all of the advice in this video naturally, all the while being told I was doing it wrong. Especially the reading and copying other authors part. I feel much more confident! At least with novels. Now to take conquer the anime/manga battle!
Stephen king’s books are what made me realize I was meant to be a writer. He is one of my biggest inspirations.
Then stop writing immediately becaue you're going to write the same generic shit.
Have you published anything?
@@Shinooobi211 Sure, a lot of translations, but I don't get how's this relevant? I read books, I know something about literature, I'm well equipped to criticize.
@@trommnorse the question wasnt even for you and i asked it out of pure curiosity because i want to be a writer as well
@Anne Woodward lol can't be THAT lousy if he's a multimillionaire and you're a KZhead troll
I used to think I was doing a bad job if I never had an outline, but it's so much more enjoyable just going with the flow because it's as if you're experiencing the story yourself, and never saw the ending like a first time reader.
EXACTLY!!!!
This really reminds me of Bob Ross’s way to paint, which may seem weird, but let me explain: Bob Ross often said in “the joy of painting” that he doesn’t really use sketches and hours/days of planning anymore, and instead he’s just getting his most authentic, inner feelings on canvas. Likewise, I think it’s most important to just write your ideas down, you may change it later, but for now just go with what your heart says and experience the story yourself, instead of controlling it almost in a “scientific” way, if you know what I mean.
@@maxgerdesmeyer6134 this is such a wholesome way to think about it
I look at it this way, bad writing is still writing. Even if you have to massively overhaul and edit a manuscript, at least you have something to edit. It is so hard to wear an editor's cap and a writers cap at the same time. My background is in medical editing professionally and my writing suffered because of it. The creative flow is always interrupted by the critical checker, and I can see the relevancy of just going with the flow and not worrying about grammar, not worrying about if things are making sense exactly, not worrying about plot especially. Those things can trip you up and stop the writing flow. At least that's been my challenge.
@@curiousobserver97 I strongly agree. Writers are all aware of the writer's block. If you are not blocked, then write as much and as fast as you can! As far as i know, editor's block doesn't exist, so editing is a good thing to do when your writing is blocked.
It's always an amazing feeling when the characters you're writing take over the story. And nothing will kill a story faster than trying to force the characters to follow your plot.
And the characters will take you to a much more interesting place than you thought you going originally. 😁
For what it's worth, consider that Outlines and Plots are more useful in revision and for marketing tools... Once you've written a draft, you KNOW (if you're any good) that it can be stronger, more concise, and other little adjustments to make a more potent and better experience for the reader... SO THEN maybe you should jot out the rough outline of "Important Beats" your story hits and where (by chapter/scene) it hits them... That can then help you better define "concretely" what genre and sub-type or whatever your story covers from Theme to sub-plots and so-forth... These are important for the revision process even more than "cleaning up" from grammatical slips, typo's, and making sure the weird Character Names are at least consistent in spelling... It can also help when deriving a question about the order of the telling. Some events may happen roughly "at the same time" and your choice of which to tell sooner can have an impact on what the story does over-all... AND finally, you may have spent the whole time more interested in the Romantic Subplot than in the primary conflict, thinking you're building a Rom-Com in a Fantasy World... when it's a much more powerful mix of Rebellion and Hope with the Romance as a second-place holder, even slightly... That allows you to set the marketing tone so readers get what they're LOOKING FOR, rather than think they've been lied to for buying a Rom-Com that isn't really a Rom-Com... AND I know that sounds a bit screwy, but you might be surprised how many aspiring writers actually have no idea what the hell they're even putting together with a finished product in their hands. ;o)
'NO! YOURE NOT SUPPOSED TO FALL FOR THE MC. You have to manipolate him! It's on the outline! Character: Well, no Me: Okay, you've forced my hand *proceeds to erase the paragraph* Character: ' What are you doing?' Me: what I should have done in the first place *rewrites whole chapter exactly the same* Me: 'What's happening' Character: 'I'm the writer now'
I sometimes just let them do what they want, to get it out of their (my) system. Sometimes I love their version and use it, sometimes I don't, but I save it because it's often hilarious. 😂
There's one thing I've learned about my writing; there's people who will love it and people who don't.
In other Words: Some people are honest and some people lie to not hurt your feelings
@@ahabduennschitz7670 There will be that yes, depending on how you might see it, but that's not what I'm trying to say. Some people will genuinely love someone's work and some people it just won't appeal to them.
@@darkangel3492 Ok but isnt that already a known fact your parents teached you? Tastes are different from person to person, someone likes science fiction, someone is into western flicks and someone else likes horror. Tastes always variate so you should always try to get your stuff to your "target audience" to get useful feedback. If someone who just likes fantasy stuff has to read a love story, its very likely that the person will dislike your work, no matter the actual quality. So this isnt useful feedback. But if someone who likes love storys doesnt like your love story, its very likely that the quality of your product isnt that good
@@ahabduennschitz7670 Typically people who aren't interested in the genre won't take time out of their way to read it, but those who read it because they are interested in that genre are either going to like it or not. It's the ones who like it that you want to keep in mind. Trying to make everyone happy is just a waste of time. And there's always, of course, room for improvement no matter what.
@@wrathoftheflyingspaghettim850 Exactly, and we are our absolute worst critics, but now, all it takes is that one person to tell me "I enjoy reading your stories," and that's what keeps me motivated to keep going. Do better. Most importantly, get past the anxiety that not everyone will love it, but don't let those people stop you doing what you're passionate about.
anyone who's got writing experience should acknowledge how unbelievable fast his writing pace, especially with the quality of his body of work. Just out of this world
He’s autistic
"quality" lol
@@nevbezaire Matter of opinion. I like some of his work and dislike others. But, he has made a name for himself so he's impressed someone.
@@haileyhurley9173 McDonald's sells well but that doesn't mean they make quality burgers
@@haileyhurley9173 it's perfectly okay to like King's work or to like Big Macs but don't call them quality
Suddenly I feel a whole lot better about my method and this is why I hate being in writers groups with the know-it-all nobodies telling everyone what they are supposed to do with ART. I have been fired from projects because I refuse to write "outlines", because I write the story as I go with no idea how it is going to end up.
Everyone has a different process. Keep going.
Keep in mind that writing IS art, however, if you plan to sell it someday, it can ALSO become a business. Many talented writers fail to make a penny, not because they lack creativity and talent, but because they lack an understanding of the business. King has been around for decades and publishers are quick to listen to his ideas even if they are absurd. He is a famous, battle-tested writer. You are NOT. So be careful what you take from him IF your goal is to publish. IF your goal is to just write for yourself, then ignore the business part of it and go as crazy as you'd like with your writing. However, back to writing as a business: IF an editor is asking you to do something, put your creative pride aside and do it. Writing IS a business for the editor and its fundamental goal is to help you provide a product for the reader. If the reader doesn't like your product, they will put it down and not bother with it. The editor fails, you fail, and the publishing company fails and loses money. You HAVE to understand that. Steinbeck said it many times, that as soon as he turns his draft over to the editor, it no longer belongs to him, but to the reader. He obviously knew what he was talking about.
@@barchetta575m I agree. Brilliant comment! You should have been my creative writing professor for all 4 years! 😂
I agree. No one should tell you how to express your own creation. You don't need grades to affirm your ability. Groups won't understand because people are mostly the same; boring. Stick to your flow. BE the river.......😃
So you got fired b/c you have your own process? So much for creativity. That's just shitty on their part.
King is a genius writer.
Hes gone off the rails lately. He will never eclipse the success of his early works like Cujo, Misery, Carrie and Christine.
David?
@@silvervalleystudios2486 I will say he is a great book writer
@@silvervalleystudios2486 cool, a hipster 🙄
@@silvervalleystudios2486 There are those who love his early works and then there are those who think that the Dark Tower series are the greatest books ever written.
His 10 Tips: 1. If you don't succeed, get a bigger nail. (For rejection letters) 2. Write 6 pages a day. 3. Go where the story leads you. 4. The good ideas will stay with you. 5. First, you read and copy other writers, then little by little you develop your own style. 6. Writing is self hypnosis. You need to have a routine. 7. Start with short stories and let them develop into novels or screenplays. 8. Learn to write for different mediums. 9. Look for ideas that you would really enjoy writing for longer periods. 10. Get immersed in your writing process until the outside world is gone.
This is good advice. I would add one more. #11 Don't tell anyone you're writing a book until it's finished. You'll have rejection from everyone before you send it out - and without them having a chance to read it. Rejection from people close to you hits different and it's rather discouraging.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant. I think he was trying to describe flow state in the last
When your ideas go ahead of your typing and you’re trying to type while your head is 3 steps ahead of your hands and it becomes this creation that feels like it came out of know where inspired by some Devine being
He was super coked-up in that last clip though. Maybe that's how he accessed flow state
@@aharmon8577 Exactly what I was thinking.
Use a notebook. I've lost a few ideas and scenes because I didn't jot down even a phrase.
Same here. I use a great little app on my phone called Writer. Awesome little tool to jot down some lines or ideas on the fly
@@savage_the_wild - I'm old-school: small notebook and pen. Whatever works for each of us.
@@julietfischer5056 for sure, I do notebooks as well! As long as we're storing our notes and ideas were good lol
@@julietfischer5056 - I prefer handwritten notes as well. Something about using a pen (particularly a fountain pen) that appeals to me
@@kurtsimmons9735 - The feel of moving the pen over paper. Yeah.
My English teacher and I were talking about Stephan King and other more modern inventive writers, and we both agreed that authors like Stephen King and others like him should be taught more in school.
In an English class we were to pick a favorite author and write a research paper on them. One guy did Stephen King. The teacher said he wasn’t a “real writer” and needed to redo his paper with another author. The guy lost his mind and went off for 5 mins told her she didn’t know her own subject matter said he was dropping her class and stormed out.
@@divadevincent711 The student shouldn’t have stormed out but, how can a teacher tell someone who and who isn’t a “real writer”? And Stephen King of all people!
What the fuck for?
@julian marx Fair enough, my teacher and I just love King and (even though I adore Shakespeare) are tired of having read the same, old-fashioned stories written centuries ago.
I don't think he should. He literally wrote a sex scene between children. Kids in school shouldn't be subjected to that. Keep his books as far away from the school library as possible. Just you wait until you know more about the man's most darkest secrets. Googling a man called Isaac Kappy will clarify things for you. To me it was always obvious anyway.
His book 'On Writing' is an amazing tutorial and memoir. Funny, insightful and harrowing when he describes being hit by that van. When writing he describes a character doing something he did not know the character was going to do. I've had this happen and it's astonishing. 'She lied to him!' 'She LOVES him?' 'WHAT?' Love it!
I love that half the book was about his life and experiences that influenced his writing. It shows how ideas are all around us, and in us, if we take the time to look around.
I was afraid to write as a younger person, did not like to read either. Then I found King,been reading and writing ever since. He is like a hero to me. Thank you!
So fascinating hearing tips from a true master storyteller. Stephen King is a writing machine. I've enjoyed so many of his books and to think I've barely scratched the surface with his catalog, such a treat. So fortunate to live in a time when authors like Stephen King exist to constantly create and share their gifts to the world.
Literally a living legend. People will study his works 100+ years from now.
Literally is what he is all about
"You get thousands of rejection letters before you succeed." So true, rejection is fuel to the fire. Critics are important because they show you how your writing looks and feels for the outside world.
Stephen king is just simply amazing, listening to him talk about his craft was just so pleasant! Thank u for this video
What's cool about Stephen King writing so many short stories is that it's easier to get people into him without reading a lengthy book.
Wow, really? Is this what the attention span has come to, people can't even attempt a 'lengthy book' these days?
@@futurez12 It can be that most adults and some teenagers have busy lives, schedules, or assignments that take up most of their time out of the day. It’s easier for some people to enjoy a shorter story that they can read entirely on a lunch break or between classes depending on how fast they read, than it is to pick up a 500 page book and only get to read it on a day off you know? I don’t think it has anything to do with people’s attention spans.
Give me a great short story collection over a novel any day of the week. I read Vanderneer’s The Weird compilation cover to cover-it’s about 1100 pages. It has nothing to do with attention spans; someone without an attention span would not elect to read at all these days. King’s short stories and novellas are better than most of his longer works.
@@futurez12 Are you kidding me??? Most people these days lack the attention span for a short story. A lengthy novel has been seen as too much for looooots of people for centuries. You could find people complaining about the length of Don Quixote centuries ago.
The fourth one is very relatable I’ve written down probably over 1000 book ideas from the age of 8 to 17 and only probably 12 of them stuck with me throughout the years
Salem's lot is awesime, wonderful story. I love the way he presents the story, how he devides the story, like a chapters inside other chatpter, man! It is 5 stars to me.
It's my second favourite of his. My first one is Pet semetary.
The first book I read by Stephen King,I was 13yrs old, was Cell. His wordy-ness is what drew me to more of his books. Literally, NO WRITER can describe (show-not tell) as detailed as Stephen King. When someone's destined to achieve a purpose & goal in life, it shows. Not me imagining what my writing style & how it'll will blossom later in life. It's weird because I hated reading/writing, but excelled above average in grade school & college in those subjects. Now here I am, outlining my 1st book. Thrillers, Young Adult - Dramas are my go to, from Stephen King, to Ellen Hopkins & Christopher Pikes. All my favorite authors!
Christopher Pike write amazing stuff. Remember Me has never quite left me! RL Stine also wrote some good YA stuff other than Goosebumps.
CiCi Ashley: You hit the nail on the head with King's show, not tell. I also regularly read V.C. Andrews books and I have to say that Andrew Niederman writes okay. The plots are interesting, but there is such a difference between King's and Neiderman's writing. Neiderman describes the characters' lives and plot, and King introduces the character to you firsthand and you must figure out the plot. It is a totally different reading experience when I read King. He is gifted.
@@mikaelafox6106 Can't ever go wrong w/the childhood favorites by R.L. Stine....you just unlocked my childhood memories of reading the Goosebumps collection. What an amazing time to be alive I tell ya!!!
@@_cici.ashley__ I just watched Hocus Pocus 2 and you’re mentioning RL Stine. Talk about childhood favorites!
Stephen King: “Right six pages a day” Me: This book is never being finished
Thank-you Stephen King
You could try 3 pages and work your way up to 6
@@satirical140 Agreed. 3 pages is better than 0 because you gave up
Well, this is Stephen King. It doesn't work for everyone, obviously. Neil Gaiman, another brilliant writer of our time, wrote his novel Coraline 50 words per night, as he himself said.
Wow! It's crazy, I go around telling my friends the same thing, "Let the story tell itself." AKA- "Go where the story leads you." I must be doing something right lol
Yes, just like writing a song you can't force it, you have to get out the way of creativity and let it do it's job.
Wow, that 6 pages a day really works for speed! Genuinley, i calculated and if you do it for a month every day thats (well in december) 186 pages!
Those 6 pages a day are about 2500 to 3000 words a day. That's a solid amount. And I am sure they are 3000 high-quality words. I have written up to 2,000 words on a day, but later find out more than half, are low quality and have to do major rewrites. So quality matters as much as the quantity.
@@barchetta575m 2000 a day? How do you do it? I’m lucky if i can get that in a week with my daily schedule.
@@parkermudsen1063 I don't do it every day. I do it once a month or something when I am feeling very stubborn, in a good way! Normally I average about 500 words a day. I simply put aside about an hour in the morning (morning session) and aim for 250 words, then I do another session in the evening and aim for 250 words. Between those sessions I think about how the scenes intertwine with each other. This is important. Don't just write scenes because they sound cool or because you love them. Write scenes that serve a purpose and will connect sub-plots to the main plot.
Really, 6 pages isn't much. I usually write a full chapter everyday, because the style of writing I am comfortable with divides chapters according to stages of the progression of the story. It's easier to accomplish when you already know what to write. So, my prep work provides firm supporting points of interest to construct freely on.
I used to do 10 pages a day. Then life intervened, I discovered that I was always a horrible writer, my confidence was destroyed and I haven't gotten it back. Oh, well. Whaddaya gonna do?
I used to get writers block when I was young but now I never get it. You have to build a framework to develop each chapter in first, then you'll always know where you are going with the story. It further offers the writer the opportunity to build depth to each character into the story time line. When I write a story, I freewrite in segments for different parts of the framework, and that allows me to control what information the reader has to go on as the story unfolds. I grew up learning how to write novels and screen plays from Stephen King books and movies. I own much of my ability to write to him and various other artists. I wished I had published my work earlier in my life instead of waiting so long to do it. Now I've got an entire library waiting to be published. Yet everyday new ideas pop in my head, and at times I feel overwhelmed that I can't keep up with so many stories that want to get out.
Stephen King's On writing is one of my favorite books. We read it on a train, and by the time we got to the exercise, the one with the kettle, it was night, which of course added mystery to the reading. I'm still fascinated how that seemingly simple setting could make such a strong impact. ❤
I love Stephen. I have read his books since he starting publishing. It’s been like 45 years ago. He is a great mentor giving advice to new writers. Very inspirational, giving advice and tips.
I really enjoyed On Writing, and it’s the only book of his that I’ve read.
What a shame... he has so many different wonderful stories.
@@codyleslie478 I wasn't the craziest about some of the movies. Some I really liked though, like pet cemetery and the stand. Some suggestions?
@@andrewaugustine1494 well there are very few good movies based on Stephen King books.. The new It movies are amazing...Misery is pretty good.. but he has many fantastic books. My favorites are The Stand..Duma Key.. and Joyland.. His Dark Tower series however is the best thing hes written its just amazing
@@codyleslie478 nice, thank you! I’ll check out dark tower.
@@andrewaugustine1494 it's a big commitment because theres several books in the series.. but it's worth it
It's strange to see R.R. Martin and King in the same interview... Seem like very different authors.
They have much more in common than you'd think!
They aren't so similar in genre for sure, but stylistically and thematically they have a lot in common.
They are both discovery writers, from what I heard. I have a feeling that’s why George R. R. Martin is taking so long to finish his series: he has so many characters and stories at this point that it must be a nightmare to control without an outline (or plot).
King is quick ideas that are unique, martin is worldbuilding and character depth. No character depth at all in king books
@@Submersed24 have you read the Mr Mercedes trilogy?
One of my characters is a sociopath who is obsessively in love with another character. He has no purpose in life after losing his family and is now trying to manipulate his way into her heart. I can’t tell you how much fun it is playing with the suspense in his interactions and showing off his callous, remorseless side. I have one beautiful scene of him rescuing her after a car crash over a cliff face, but leaving her cab driver and the wreckage on the road, driving only her to hospital. In that scene, he has to reach over the cab driver to her, he could’ve helped the cab driver first, but instead decided to unbuckle his seatbelt. This causes the cab driver to fall through the cab door and off the cliff, making it much easier and safer to pull her out of the car.
That actually sounds pretty good. But the better the idea sounds, the tougher it is to execute properly in long term of a novel. But I'm sure it will be great! Would love to read something of yours in the future.
@@ArunKumar-dv8zw Thanks :) I tend to plan obsessively over a novel (For example, this is just a fraction of it all, I have a few thousand pages I've been writing since I was a child... yes it's that big). Luckily, I have extreme patience, so I'm waiting another year before I even start the book. I'll be writing short stories and the like to practice, so that it's immaculate. But I also don't have a fear of the scale of the project I'll undertake, just been looking forward to it since 13 years old (22 now, when i'm 23 the novel starts ;) ). I'll be looking forward to your feedback :)
I actually want yo thank you that you have just given me an amazing idea thankyou
@@almost_there_ no problemo
If you allow, little advice; sociopaths are unable to fall in love, they pretty much appear to be in love untill it serves their goal, whatever that goal might be, they manipulate with utmost "expertise" and not every time to a degree of usual movie style murder, kindapping, or making new wallpaper out of their victim's skin. So, to the advice at hand, investigating and researching stuff you want to write about, if you're not certain about them, would benefit your writing as well as your personal growth, since statistically highest number of scripts, books, novels and such, that are very poorly written are result of author writting about stuff he doesn't know enough. I'm sorry for being "helpful" when it wasn't asked, but i like your idea and it would be a shame to turn out shallow on the fact merrit.
Stephen King is so inspiring!! I sort of hated his stuff to begin with but then i realised it on a much deeper level than i knew!! These interviews are great!!
Love how you formatted the video, straight to the point and very informative!
I’ve never been a huge fan of Stephen King per se, though I’ve always had a fair amount of respect for him as a writer, and it’s encouraging to know that he’d already completed entire novels before trying his hand at writing screenplays, as I’ve taken the opposite route, and am only now at 40ish years old writing the second draft of my first novel after having written numerous scripts and treatments for film over the past twenty years or so. No two writers chart identical paths to publication or silver screen, nor should they.
His talent for putting himself into that hypnotic state should not be overlooked. That's a second talent on top of the writing ability. That hypnotic state is key. I've been there many times myself but haven't gotten the routine to get back there lately.
*I remember reading the Mist* and just being flooded with ideas of where the story was going - I honestly believed the military would save them - and they’d go back to ordinary life knowing what their neighbours were capable of.. and the message of the story would be “You don’t know your neighbour” love the guy’s writing.
Glad I watched this first. I've been having doubts about stuff I'm working on and this is everything that happens to me when I write. It just pops in my head and stays with me until it gets out completely.
I read King's book on writing several times, and I thoroughly enjoy his being in touch with the metaphysical side of writing/life...listen to how he speaks of ideas and aspects of a story as already existing in the aether, only to be discovered by those of us seeking.
Bro I totally think about it the same way. It's amazing because in that sense the characters themselves are like souls forcing themselves into our physical world. It really removes the ego regarding creation, and it is really the ego that most hinders creation. Writer's block has more to do with self-worth than it does one's ability to create.
What I learned is J R R Martin is freaking hilarious lol
These tips are so amazing and so inspiring. I've always wanted to write a story. It's one of my biggest dreams since when I was fifteen years old.
It's been a little secret dream of mine for a while. Even when I was 12 I wrote a book full of short stories.
One thing I regret about my time in high school (15 years ago now sheeeesh) is they didn’t teach us modern authors who could actually talk about their ideas and process for themselves. I would have loved to have listened to stuff like this when I was a baby writer. It makes the craft seem so much more accessible and human than just studying the far away legends like Shakespeare or Hemmingway. Or obscure authors people knew nothing about and who shared nothing of their craft.
I really enjoyed this video. Keep it up!
I love Stephen's routine, especially the part where he watches CNN after breakfast, which must be a great resource for his horror novels, antagonists and evil characters.
Stephen king is so inspiring! listening to him talk about his craft was just so pleasant! Thank you for this video
Hii
I love his inspirational thoughts. Thanks a lot to share with the world.
I love Stephen King! I've read so many of his novels and short stories SEVERAL TIMES! Read the stand about 4 times,It 3-4 times,The Dark Tower Series about 7 times....etc.
I love the bit about notebooks being places for bad ideas. I've trained myself not to keep track of ideas and just go with the ones that stick in my brain night after night when I'm not sleeping. Also, he's right that writers are readers. But most of all I like the mix of work ethic and magic he talks about. Sit down every day, make it routine, do the work and you will fall into your imagined universe.... IF you do the work. I tell my students, writing is ditch digging, not swanning around in a pirate shirt acting angsty. Ditch digging. Thanks Stevie!
Major respect for this man
I'm 21 with 3 published books., truly curious to hear from a master writer. I 100% Completely agree with tips 3-6 and 9 and 10. My average writing a day is roughly half of what King suggested though. If there are people watching this wanting to learn how to make their own book or stories, constructive criticism is okay but don't let negativity or doubt get in your way...ever!
You don't take notes?
What's the name of your Books?
@@nxbxxha_1764 School of Payback...with 2 sequels. Living logans life with one sequel so far all on Amazon
Omggggg 😭 you're REALLYYY an Author, I just found your Book! Can't wait to read it!
@@grantheming1975 wasn't there a movie called Payback?
I love how he encourages short stories. That’s what I’ve started out writing and it is very enjoyable.
I agree with everything except the notebook one! My basic ideas always stick with my but sometimes conversations pop into my head and I just have to write it down or I’ll forget!
Then write down the conversations. If you still like them after awhile and can incorporate them into your story without it seeming fake, then do so. These tips are ones that work for King, not necessarily everyone else.
Hyy
He’s amazing, we all know that. But not every mind works congruently-when he said taking notes and plotting out stories ahead of time is “garbage”, Im taken aback. I idolize him but I do make outlines so when I write the story process is smoother and “go where the story leads” is entirely up to the writer. Sometimes the story goes with my outline and sometimes I lead myself astray from it to a better path. It’s not “garbage” to me-just internalize that every writer is different.
Same, outlines help me a lot
A very good friend of mine uses notes and develops plot lines like that,and he is amazing writer imo, i on the other hand don't want to know the end till the very end. I want to be the first one to read it and expirience it while writing. I take a break now and then whe i hit wall, but it's a cigarette break, and i'm off to the races again.
You're probably a planner kind of writer then. Stephen is a "pantser" or discovery writer/Gardner. I am as well. If we try to work with an outline it kills our creativity. We just have to write and discover the plot as we go. He's taking from the point of view of his own process. Planners need the structure of an outline and notes to write. That is totally okay too. 😊 Don't feel bad about your personal process because Stephen does it a different way. That's just what works for him. Do whatever works for you, what helps you write your story. Because it's your story that you want to tell and no one can tell your story but you. 😊
I can understand why it helps but me personally, and I'm not sure for who else, but I have key moments planned then make it up as I go. It much more fun not knowing what happens because I know if I plan it all out, it's going to bore me writing out. NOT TO BE MEAN TO ANYONE WHO PLANS! JUST MY OPINION
King is blunt with his opinions, that's one of the things I like about him. But don't take it like gospel what he does. His way works for him and your way works for you. Do whatever works for you. Everyone has their path.
Thank you Mr. King any assistance you can provide is welcome. I understand the reader must be drawn in. You are a master at this
"Pet Sematary" introduced me to Mr. King's works.. Thanks SK for the countless late nights. Live long and prosper! 🖖
For whoever made this clips thank you
Stephen King seems like such a genuine person. An absolute mastermind
I enjoyed watching this video. Once I start writing, time eludes me. I just write where the story is going. Who better then to hear from the great man himself in tips for writing. Thank you Stephen King.
Love this advice and have read his book On Writing, twice. Even though I write memoir, I have two entirely different ideas for fiction books that won’t seem to go away, and one for a children’s book. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
I have been reading his books since the beginning. Surprisingly his work dramatically improved as he went on.
Fantastic collection of clips on his thoughts on writing. If you haven't picked up On Writing, I highly recommend it. Bradbury's book Zen and the Art of Writing is also great.
Love this & great interview questions all round xx
Oh dear, Stephen King and George R.R Martin in the same room are just adorable together!
I am learning more, thank you!
Amazing videos, keep it up
Wow!!! The motivation within this is amazing!
Thank you for making this video, is really helpful ❤️❤️❤️
The Dark Tower is the greatest story I’ve read and the Gunslinger is my favourite book.
Loved 'Christine', 'The Bachman Books', 'The Talisman'... I pretty much grew up reading King. One of my early writing heroes. :)
I am a varatious reader!!! I love being a self published author and you Stephen have inspired me. Thank you!!! When I was 10 years old I was reading your books!!! 🤣😂 you are an inspiration as a successful author.
It's actually really true. All of my ideas seem to float a long time before I put them to my notes. The good stuff stays for months and years and the stuff that doesn't work is forgotten
Our brains aré sofisticated filters
King's writing is great for the most part. It reads easy and he writes characters very well. I feel like he has issues ending his longer stories though. That probably comes down to him wanting to spend more time with the characters (as he has stated) but he knows he has to end it. That's one of the reasons I find it useful to know how your story is going to end, at least in a round about way. Now, however long it takes one to get there is entirely up to the author. Throw in all the stuff you want but just don't end it lazily. If it requires more pages or even a second book then by all means take advantage of that is afforded the oppurtunity. Obviously publishers have a say in things but at this point I think someone of King's stature doesn't have to worry about such minutia. The rest of us* are at the wolves mercy lol. *By the way I am not a writer/aspiring writer. One can probably tell by my terrible grammar. Though, I do have tons of stories wrapped up in my head. I have never put pen to paper. So by "us" I mean all the aspiring authors out there :)
Throw some ideas out there what do you got? Always interested in other peoples genuine ideas
Very Amazing a video, it is so motivating, and it's a great one for every writers and not just screenwriter
Thank you Steven King i just finished writing a Bucky Barnes fanfiction thanks to you. Im sure this is exactly what you imagined when giving out writing advice
I literally laughed out loud -- so loud it woke my soundly sleeping K9 -- when Martin revealed the extent of his frustration and self doubt/ questioning wtf he's doing when constipated as a writer. Because OMFG I do the same thing.
Now I understand why Stephen King hated Kubrick's brilliant rendition of THE SHINING -- he wrote a draft for the screen first. He got his retort with the lesser Rebecca deMorney version for TV a while later.
The TV version sucked.
Kubrick ruined the shining and clockwork orange. He took amazing novels and turned them into horror movies for hipsters
There's just something about movies and novels that you can't put them together as the same idea. You gotta take a single theme from the book in order to adapt it into a movie, like Kubrick took the cabin fever as its theme. If you took the whole novel into one movie, you might as well gonna adapt a garbage like many hollywood adaptation did. The Shining movie is briliant for you as it is for me. The novel itself is brilliant in its own way. It has more things to talk about other than cabin fever, it talks about a haunted hotel, a kid with superpower, a family matter, and how a husband work shits for his family. King wanted the movie to stay same as the novel, but Kubrick took out so much of it that the movie became a raw pizza dough in comparison with the full toppings pizza of the novel.
@@soandsomarkovitz7660 lol, sure
A great and insightful video!
Great video with great advice. The best
He's a treasure.
I loved the number 10, not just the fantastic advise but the passion with which he talks about it. Yes, it passion, he is not crazy ok? jajajaja
He's so spot-on about the notebook part. It's literally it. A space for bad ideas or variations of those same ideas. Whatever makes it in there, never makes it to the book.
Well I can totally Identify with this.
Number 9 is my favorite one. Basically if a football coach started listening to the fans, he’s gonna be sitting next to the fans watching the game next year. Write what you love, not what they want you to write.
Honestly people like King, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and several other authors were my inspirations to begin writing.
Thank You For This Video🤝
Amazing 👍 so inspiring and empowering 👍
Simply the best advice there is for writers. Inspiring stuff Mr King.
So much to learn from him. I wish I could write even 3 pages a day, 6 will be nirvana, I guess...
Start writing more interesting dialogue. I love writing dialogue more then anything, and as such, I write a lot. I can take my characters to an interesting place, and camp.
Huge fan sir hats off to you. 🎩 I've learned so much about being a novelist from your writing resources.
great video I really enjoyed this one it is very informative and I'm your new subscriber thanks for sharing
I'm new to fiction writing and the thing is, I've never been a fan of fiction, beyond Steven King of course and Dickens and Steinbeck who I read as a kid and loved. I've read a lot of history and the good history writers are very good story tellers so I guess I kind of fall back on that a bit. But I have always loved movies. When I write, I tend to think of my story as a movie. I have no idea how a screenplay should be written. Let's see if I can get a novel published before branching out. But even I end up with a bigger nail than he had for the rejection notices I'll still stay at it. I love it that much and I am very proud of my most recent work. If my story and the characters I have created only live on my computer so be it. To steal from John Lennon, it's my Strawberry Fields and I don't think I could ever get more honest with anything I ever write. Thanks for the inspiration Steven. And thanks for uploading this.
I know Stephen King himself hated the Stanley Kubrick adaptation of "The Shining", but I really enjoyed that movie.
I am so proud of him
Listening to "Misert" on Audible (read it years ago), most of this is part of the plot of that incredible piece of work. Amazing.
King is a genious writer
The best thing in writing is living in that world, but you have to break loose from the obsession, otherwise you will be in an institution. | THATS THE TIME YOU WILL PRODUCE YOUR BEST
This was so illuminating! Thank you :)
motivating, thanx
Finally - a writer with no bs process and absolutely no intention to teach the rest of us how to mf write.