29 Comments
User's avatar
Chris Sherwood's avatar

I keep his quote, “You must not come lightly to the blank page,” taped to the lower corner of my computer monitor.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

love that :)

Expand full comment
Christina Jones's avatar

Thanks for sharing, I have new rules to step it up. I do not write horror, but I share a birthday.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

sharing a birthday is a sign from the Universe Christina

Expand full comment
Christina Jones's avatar

Thanks, Alex.

Expand full comment
Peter Wyro's avatar

One of my favorite quotes from Stephen King is that on writing at the same time and same place every day, "I may not know where I will find inspiration, but inspiration always knows where to find me."

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

love that!

Expand full comment
Pajay Haykins's avatar

"For him, it’s his wife Tabitha. She’s his first reader and the person whose opinion matters most."

I love this idea mahn. Stephen King is a genius for coming up with something like this.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

yeah !

Expand full comment
Charles K Summers's avatar

My biggest problem is that I tend to my family before anything else — which clobbers routine.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

NO excuses ;)

Expand full comment
Charles K Summers's avatar

I have been trained to take care of others since I learned to walk — maybe if our birds leave the nest. I do require myself to release a newsletter per week

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

good for you sir

Expand full comment
Charles K Summers's avatar

I appreciate the points you relayed -- and also highly recommend "On Writing" by Stephen King.

Expand full comment
erg art ink's avatar

The day I knew I was ill, was the day I turned down a lunch invitation from Stephen. A long time hero. A noted turning point, I retired the next week.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

wow!

Expand full comment
Jodie Jones's avatar

Love King and his view of writing as a craft. On Writing has helped me so much.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

me too

Expand full comment
Istiaq Mian's avatar

I used to be so put off by his "write everyday" advice, but I get it, to be prolific, you have to put words down, but I don't think you need write every day to be a writer. if you're going to publish things though, writing often so you have a bank to choose from is a must.

Good piece Alex, made me think!

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

thanks! good thoughts

Expand full comment
Jon (Animated)'s avatar

This is great. Such a clear, energising breakdown of King’s discipline. A brilliant reminder that craft isn’t mystical, it’s a slog too.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
whitney's avatar

Routine, consistency. Thanks for that

Expand full comment
Erin O'Connor's avatar

Consistency is everything. Over time it can turn creativity into a Pavlovian reflex.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

yes!

Expand full comment
Lebo Von Lo-Debar's avatar

I doin't reallry hatve a probblem writiang. It'is witt editinging i hav a probblem.

Lebo Von Lo~Debar

Former/Always 82nd Airborne Infantryman, Disabled Veteran for Life, & Author of the book, "The Separation of Corporation and State" subtitled "Common Sense and the Two-Party Crisis" Available on Amazon.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

lmao!

Expand full comment
Christopher Lynn | Systems's avatar

I got more out of this post than I did reading On Writing.

Thanks for this rundown, Alex!

Expand full comment
Trevor's avatar

Eventually...

Expand full comment