Stephen King’s Advice to Writers

11/06/2009 | By Diana Adams

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Stephen King is one of my favorite writers of all time. Known as a modern day Alfred Hitchcock, his books Carrie, The Shining, Misery, Cujo and The Dead Zone have all inspired me to be a writer.

I find it fascinating that as an author he can find just the right words to scare someone (and wow can I get scared) from reading. Think about it, no costumes, no scenery, no props, no music, just words. To me, that is talent!

When asked why he writes, Stephen King said, “The answer to that is fairly simple, there was nothing else I was made to do. I was made to write stories and I love to write stories. That’s why I do it. I really can’t imagine doing anything else and I can’t imagine not doing what I do.” He is also often asked why he writes such terrifying stories and he answers with another question “Why do you assume I have a choice?”

According to http://www.thedailybeast.com, as of this month, Stephen King will begin writing a comic series called American Vampire. This will be his first venture into comics, and I’m excited to check it out.

I found this video from a speech he made at Yale University in 2003. It is only a little over one minute long but it is full of inspiration. Stephen King gives two pieces of advice to people considering a career as a writer:

1. Read a lot, period.
2. Write a lot, to develop a style.

He talks about “the magic moment” that every aspiring writer goes through. You want to be a better writer and a better blogger? Watch this!

Author: Diana Adams

By day, Diana is the CEO/owner of Adams Consulting Group, Inc, a technology services and business solutions consultancy firm serving the specific needs of its clients in advertising and public relations. By night, she lives and breathes by writing. After publishing a small cookbook last year, she is now working on her new masterpiece, scheduled for publishing next year. “I could write all night long and not get tired of it. I think that is when you know you’ve tapped into a true passion. Whatever that thing may be, if you could do it all day or night long, lose track of time, ‘wake up’ ten hours later, and still thirst for more, that is a passion, and I feel like I’ve found that in my writing.” Diana also spends many hours each week assisting the homeless men and women in Atlanta. You can find her on Twitter at @adamsconsulting.

4 Comments

Misty Belardo

November 6th, 2009

Stephen King is my favorite author and people who know me real well knows that as i have his books, read them over and over. Watched films adapted from his books too. And yes I agree with you read and write a lot!! I love reading its one of my favorite things to do most specially when I need inspiration or when I want to be entertained. My imagination is more powerful because of that. Thank you for sharing this amazing article.

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Cindy O

November 9th, 2009

Diana, Thanks for this piece of inspiration this morning when I need it most!

I’m participating in NaNOWriMo this year for the first time and at less than halfway through I am getting frustrated and discouraged.

Stephen King certainly knows how to do it! My confidence is now renewed!

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Tim Baker

November 9th, 2009

For another great Stephen King article check this out…

http://mikeshea.net/Everything_You_Need_to_Kn.html

He makes it sound so easy!!!

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mwgrover

November 18th, 2009

I do the same as Misty…I often re-read his books. My favorite is ‘Needful Things.’ His writing puts fantastic images in my mind. I’ll take any advice he can give about writing. There’s much to be said about having passion for your work and knowing that it’s what you were created to do.

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