How to become an insanely good writer, according to Stephen King
Are you an aspiring writer who would give an arm and a leg to get a glimpse into the mind of one of the most popular writers in the world? If yes, then keep reading.
Stephen King, one of the most prolific writers of our time who's sold over 350 million books, has shared great advice on writing over the years that we have compiled just for you. From how to pen captivating opening lines to keeping the reader's interest level high throughout his books, here are some pointers from the master of the bestseller.
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Give up on television and read instead
To quote him, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." According to King, the television is 'poisonous to creativity' and an aspiring author should get as much reading done as he or she possibly can.
Disconnect from the world while writing
Writing should be a devoted activity without any distractions like phones or even open windows. It is important to maintain total privacy between you and your work to produce great pieces of writing.
Be prepared to face criticism and failure
Stephen King affirms that you will face self-doubt and even encounter doubts from others when you write. Sometimes you might even have to write when you don't feel like it. His advice is to remain positive through it all, as optimism is a perfectly legitimate response to failure.
Start by writing for yourself
The author strongly believes that the best way to produce memorable pieces is to write because it brings you happiness and fulfillment. Start by selecting a subject you care about, as that will go on to be the most compelling element in your writing style.
Master the art of narration
Visualise what you want your readers to feel when they read your piece and then translate what you see in your mind's eye to the words on your page. Use simple vocabulary and fresh images while describing a situation, person or place in your writing piece. Description isn't about how much you write, but it's about limiting how much you say.
Playing it safe will not work in your favor
Stephen King has repeatedly stated that fear is the root cause of most bad writing. Be confident enough to write what you believe in and not digress just because you fear what your readers will think. While you're at it, stop using passive voice unless the piece you are writing truly demands it.
Make it a point to write every day
Once you have started work on a project, don't slow down or stop unless you absolutely have to. If you don't write consistently, the excitement for your idea and the characters in your story's plot will begin to slowly fade away.
To conclude, no matter how many rejections you face, remain resilient and focused on what you wish to achieve. This way, you'll learn to ignore the negatives and you'll bounce back from defeats stronger than ever.
