A discussion on Stephen King's book 'On Writing' explores the persistence and dedication needed in creative pursuits. It touches on the challenges faced by writers in maintaining focus and staying motivated, emphasizing the importance of pushing through difficuties. The podcast also delves into the significance of mentorship in accelerating learning and the impact of personal growth on work-life balance.
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Quick takeaways
Consistency and dedication are crucial in the writing process, treating it like a job rather than relying solely on inspiration.
King emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuous learning, shaped by mentors and high expectations.
Stephen King's early struggles highlight the importance of belief and encouragement, particularly his wife's unwavering support during tough times.
The pivotal moment with 'Carrie' taught King the value of pushing through challenges and not giving up when the writing process feels difficult.
Deep dives
Stephen King's Writing Process and Dedication to the Craft
Stephen King shares his writing process, emphasizing the importance of consistency and dedication to the craft. He describes how writing should not rely solely on inspiration but on showing up every day to work, treating it like a job. King stresses the significance of removing unnecessary elements from a story and the comparison of writing to sweeping the floor rather than waiting for moments of inspiration.
Influence of Mentors and Learning from Professionals
King reflects on the impact of mentors and professionals in shaping his writing journey. He shares how a gifted teacher helped him learn two years of theory and arranging in just a few lessons, demonstrating the necessity of high expectations and consistent effort. This experience taught King the importance of perseverance and continuous learning.
Struggles and Support of Stephen King's Family
Stephen King's early struggles as a writer, working in a commercial laundry and facing financial difficulties, highlight the challenges he overcame to pursue his passion. His wife's unwavering support during tough times was instrumental, showcasing the crucial role of belief and encouragement in a writer's journey.
The Turning Point with 'Carrie' and Belief in Creative Potential
The pivotal moment in King's career with 'Carrie' exemplifies the belief in one's creative potential despite setbacks. From doubts about his writing to the discovery that stopping a piece of work just because it's difficult is a mistake, 'Carrie' taught King the value of pushing through challenges and continuing even when the process feels strenuous.
Lessons Learned from Struggles and Triumphs in King's Writing Journey
Stephen King's writing journey showcases the lessons learned from struggles and triumphs. His dedication to the craft, influence of mentors, family's support during tough times, and pivotal moments like 'Carrie' demonstrate the resilience and perseverance required in the creative process. Through consistency, belief, and pushing through challenges, King exemplifies the journey of a successful writer.
Impact of Family Support and Consistent Effort in Stephen King's Success
Stephen King's success is attributed to his family's unwavering support and his consistent effort despite challenges. The influence of mentors, lessons learned from setbacks, and pivotal moments like 'Carrie' underscore the importance of belief, perseverance, and dedication in achieving creative goals. King's journey epitomizes the resilience and commitment required to navigate the ups and downs of a writing career.
Stephen King's Breakthrough with 'Carrie'
Stephen King's breakthrough moment comes when he receives a phone call notifying him that the manuscript of his book, 'Carrie,' has been accepted by Double Day with a $2,500 advance. This unexpected success marks a turning point in his life as he contemplates the future possibilities of his writing career. Despite initial doubts about the book's potential success, the news of the paperback rights being sold for $400,000 to Signet Books further solidifies King's entry into the world of published authors, providing financial stability and recognition for his work.
Stephen King's Advice on Writing and Work Ethic
Stephen King offers insightful advice on approaching writing and work ethic, emphasizing the importance of dedication and perseverance. He underscores the significance of reading extensively and writing consistently as essential practices for aspiring writers. By sharing personal experiences of overcoming challenges and self-doubt in his writing process, King encourages aspiring writers to take their craft seriously and commit to continual improvement. His dedication to the solitude of writing, coupled with the belief that talent requires effort, serves as a guiding principle for aspiring writers to navigate the creative process with passion and determination.
Get access to the World’s Most Valuable Notebook for Founders at Founders Notes.com
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My earliest memory is of imagining I was someone else.
By the time I was fourteen the nail in wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled upon it. I replaced the nail with a spike and went on writing.
I think I was forty before I realized that almost every writer who has ever published a line has been accused by someone of wasting his or her God-given talent. If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or sing), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that's all. I'm not editorializing, just trying to give you the facts as I see them.
There was also a work-ethic in the poem that I liked, something that suggested writing poems (or stories, or essays) had as much in common with sweeping the floor as with mythy moments of revelation.
The realization that stopping a piece of work just because it's hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to go on when you don't feel like it, and sometimes you're doing good work when it feels like all you're managing is to shovel shit.
If I ever came close to despairing about my future as a writer, it was then. I could see myself thirty years on, wearing the same shabby tweed coats with patches on the elbows, potbelly rolling over my Gap khakis from too much beer. I'd have a cigarette cough from too many packs, thicker glasses, more dandruff, and in my desk drawer, six or seven unfinished manuscripts which I would take out and tinker with from time to time, usually when drunk. And of course. I'd lie to myself, telling myself there was still time, it wasn't too late.
You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair – the sense that you can never completely put on the page what’s in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.
“When asked, "How do you write?" I invariably answer, "One word at a time," and the answer is invariably dismissed. But that is all it is. It sounds too simple to be true, but consider the Great Wall of China, if you will: one stone at a time, man. That's all. One stone at a time. But I've read you can see that motherfucker from space without a telescope.”
Talent renders the whole idea of rehearsal meaningless; when you find something at which you are talented, you do it (whatever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. The sort of strenuous reading and writing program I advocate - four to six hours a day, every day – will not seem strenuous if you really enjoy doing these things and have an aptitude for them.
You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons of all are the ones you teach yourself. These lessons almost always occur with the study door closed.
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Get access to the World’s Most Valuable Notebook for Founders at Founders Notes.com
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
