What the King Taught Me About Writing
"Long live the King," hailed Entertainment Weekly when this book was published in 2000.
No, not that King (although I think every American should make a pilgrimage to Graceland).
Stephen King, the master storyteller from Bangor, Maine. Author of Carrie and Salem's Lot (both written in the laundry room of a rented trailer), plus 47 other books that have sold over 350 million copies.
I snatched up King’s On Writing a few years ago on a recommendation from John Forde. I devoured it in one sitting and took notes on almost all 297 pages.
On Writing is King's revealing inside look at how he got started as a writer, what inspires him, and how he developed his style.
More than anything, it's a book about passion for the craft of writing.
Lessons from a master writer …
Even though he's a best-selling fiction author and you and I are copywriters, you'll find a lot of common ground and practical ideas to implement. To tell you the truth, I'm not even a fan of Stephen King. This is the only book of his I've ever read. But I learned three important things that I use every day in my writing routine:
- Establish a clear-cut writing schedule. For King, mornings are prime writing time. His goal is to write about 10 pages per day, about 2,000 words. That's about a million words in a year and a half. Not bad. His afternoons are for naps and letters, and evenings are for reading, family, and revisions that can't wait (and Red Sox games on TV). I like his evening schedule, but I skip the naps and letters, and my goal is five pages by 8 A.M. (about 1,250 words in the font size I use) and anything I can get after that. For me, it's all a labor of love. What is your daily schedule? Share with me in the comments below.
- Keep vocabulary and grammar simple and the style conversational. Hey, could this guy be a closet copywriter? King says to avoid the passive tense, get rid of adverbs, use short paragraphs and lots of white space, and keep it all tight. He's talking about fiction, but you'd swear he's read the Accelerated Program! All good reminders, and there's much more in the book.
- Read a lot and write a lot. King says, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that." He advocates reading and writing four to six hours a day, seven days a week. And what should you write? Two ideas: 1) Readers want a good story. The best writers are good storytellers, and 2) Write what you like, but imbue it with life and make it unique. In other words, use your own natural voice (another core principle from AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting).
How to connect your mental game and practical business action steps
So what does Stephen King have to do with your blossoming writing career?
Well, this week we've talked about overcoming mental blocks, common fears, the importance of self-talk, developing a successful copywriter's mindset, and the inner game stuff.
Tomorrow, I'm going to give you some tips for getting business right out of the gate and keeping those clients for the long term.
There's an important connection between the inner game and the pragmatic side.
It's PASSION.
I read On Writing a few years ago when I was just getting started as a copywriter. It inspired me and motivated me like no other book has. It made me laugh and it made me cry.
Above all, it gave me the confidence that I could be a successful writer.
When I read the last page, closed the book, and lodged it in a place of importance on my office bookshelf, I finally started calling myself a writer.
I've never looked back, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Stephen King.
Wherever you are on your journey to the writer's life, check out On Writing or the harder-to-find companion book, Secret Windows. You may just get a push from the King like I did.
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Awesome man. You're a great friend. Thank you.
Guest (dale suslick) – July 26, 2011 at 9:19 am
Thanks for pushing me on my first book, Dale. You'll get the first signed copy!
Steve Roller – July 26, 2011 at 11:05 am
Thank you!!!! This is perfect at the perfect time. Although writing is not my specialty as I once thought -- you are helping me get back to normal -- cancer, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries did a number on me, lost my job because could not work (age 69 lost it) and now reading these -- its bringing me back to what is important and its not the job but what I love to do. Thanks again.
Guest (Barb) – October 10, 2011 at 12:20 pm
You're welcome, Barb. Sounds like you've been through a lot of challenges. I'm glad that you are getting back to what is important. Best wishes to you in everything.
Steve Roller – October 10, 2011 at 11:15 pm