Writing is hard. There, I said it. Even the pros like Stephen King, who’s churned out more bestsellers than most of us have had cups of tea, admit that the process isn’t always a walk in the park. But here’s the thing—Stephen King doesn’t just write; he teaches us how to write better. His book On Writing is a goldmine of advice, no fluff, no filler, just straight-up actionable wisdom for writers at every level.
Whether grappling with a blank page or being buried under a pile of draft edits, Stephen King’s advice is like a guiding light in the creative process. His tips are not just theoretical musings but practical tools that can help you navigate the writing journey. So, grab your favorite beverage and explore ten of his most potent writing practices.
All quotes are from On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.
1. Read a Lot, Write a Lot
To write well, you must read widely and write consistently. Commit to a daily writing practice and reading habit, even if you can only read for fifteen minutes daily.
Stephen writes daily from 8 a.m. to noon, giving him about 2,000 words daily. We will all vary in our daily word counts, but consistency can be your friend in building those positive habits.
I read at least thirty minutes daily and read a variety of genres.
“If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
2. Don’t Wait for Inspiration
Writing is about discipline, not waiting for the muse. Create a writing schedule and stick to it, even on uninspired days. Especially on uninspired days!
I like to write in a space different from my work desk. I have a desk in a guest room, and I use my laptop vs my work iMac. The change in space and situation tells my brain that I’m not doing work; it’s writing time. (except blog posts and work writing, which I do at my regular desk on my iMac)
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
3. Use Active Voice
Active voice creates more potent, more engaging writing. Avoid passive constructions. Review your drafts and revise sentences to replace passive voice with active constructions. Grammarly helps with this aspect of writing by offering suggested rewrites.
Here’s an example:
Passive sentence: The book was read by Sarah one afternoon.
Active sentence: Sarah read the book in one afternoon.
In the active version, the subject (Sarah) performs the action directly, which makes the sentence more straightforward and engaging.
“Timid writers like passive verbs for the same reason that timid lovers like passive partners. The passive voice is safe.”
4. Eliminate Unnecessary Words
Be concise. Less is more when it comes to impactful writing. Hunt down adverbs and overused adjectives in your drafts and replace them with stronger verbs and nouns.
“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”
5. Write for Yourself First
Focus on telling the story you want to tell before worrying about the audience. Writing for yourself doesn’t mean clinging to every single idea. Sometimes, you must abandon parts you love if they don’t serve the story.
Treat your first draft as a private conversation with yourself, but during revisions, be ruthless about cutting what doesn’t move the story forward—even if it’s a sentence you adore.
“When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.”
6. Set Daily Writing Goals
Writing every day builds discipline and momentum. Start small—commit to an achievable word count or page number.
“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”
7. Create a Distraction-Free Zone
Give your writing the focus it deserves by eliminating distractions. Turn off your phone, shut down social media, and designate a quiet space for your writing time.
8. Embrace Rewriting
The real magic happens during revisions. Don’t be afraid to make significant changes during edits. Think of it as sculpting, not just polishing.
Rewriting can be a challenging task.
Here are some suggestions for making solid edits and rewrites in a novel:
Take a Break First
After finishing your draft, please step away from it for at least a few days or weeks. This helps you return with fresh eyes and a more objective perspective.
Start with Big-Picture Edits
Focus on the story’s structure, pacing, and character arcs before diving into line edits. Ask yourself:
Use the “Kill Your Darlings” Mindset
Be ruthless in cutting anything that doesn’t serve the story, even if it’s a line or scene you love. Ask, “Does this move the plot forward or reveal something essential about a character?”
Check Your Opening and Ending
The first chapter should hook readers immediately. The ending should feel satisfying and tie up key threads. Rework these sections to ensure they leave a strong impression.
Simplify and Clarify
Avoid overly complicated sentences or unclear descriptions. Simplify where possible to make the writing accessible and impactful.
Strengthen Dialogue
Ensure every piece of dialogue reveals character or advances the plot. Cut small talk or filler conversations.
Pay Attention to Pacing
Vary the rhythm of your scenes. Use shorter sentences and paragraphs in action-heavy moments, and allow for longer, descriptive writing in quieter moments.
Look for Repeated Words or Phrases
Comb through your manuscript for overused words or phrases and swap them for fresh alternatives.
Get a Second Opinion
Share your draft with beta readers or critique partners to get feedback on what’s working and what’s not. They’ll often spot things you might miss.
Proofread for Consistency
Check for continuity errors in timelines, character details, and world-building elements.
Read It Aloud
Reading your work aloud helps you catch clunky sentences, awkward phrasing, or repetitive language. It’s a simple but powerful tool for improving flow.
“To write is human; to edit is divine.”
9. Write Honestly and Authentically
Use your natural vocabulary and voice—don’t try to sound like someone you’re not. Trust your instincts when choosing words and crafting dialogue.
“Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule.”
10. Think of Stories as Fossils
Stories are discovered, not invented, so let them unfold naturally. While Stephen King swears by letting the story emerge as he writes (he’s a proud pantser), I’ve found that planning and outlining give me the clarity I need to move forward. For me, it’s less about stumbling across the story and more about mapping the journey while leaving room for creative detours.
If you’re a pantser like King, trust your instincts and let the story guide you. If you’re more of a planner like me, outline the key beats first—it’s your story, your way.
“Stories are found things, like fossils in the ground. … Your job is to dig it out.”
A Peek into Stephen King’s Writing Routine
- Morning Magic: Stephen King writes every single day without exception. He starts around 8:00 a.m. and works until noon, prioritizing his creative energy in the morning.
- The Power of Consistency: King writes in the same spot every day. This creates a sense of muscle memory and signals his brain that it’s time to get to work.
- The Mid-Action Stop: One of his most practical pieces of advice? Leave something actively happening in your story when you stop for the day. This way, when you sit down to write again, you’re stepping back into the action, not staring at a blank page.
- Rereading for Momentum: King rereads his last two pages before starting a new writing session. It helps him reconnect with the story’s tone, pacing, and flow.
- Efficient Progress: With this disciplined routine, King completes a book in about three months, proving the power of showing up daily.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Commit to writing every single day, even if it’s for a short session.
- Create a consistent writing routine by writing in the same spot to build focus and muscle memory.
- Experiment with writing in the morning to harness your best creative energy.
- Leave your characters mid-action to make restarting easier and keep the momentum going.
- Reread your last pages to jump back into the story seamlessly.
I hope you found some inspiration and great habits to borrow when hitting the keyboard and tapping your story. Writing may not be easy, but it’s worth it.
Whether you’re a pantser, a planner, or somewhere in between, the magic lies in showing up daily and trusting the process. Keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember—the world needs your story.
