Being Successful: 8 Tips from Stephen King

Stephen King is a successful writer. In his book On Writing, he gives clear advice for novice writers. Most of these tips apply to any activity, so I decided to briefly formulate and publish here.

1. Don’t waste time on nonsense

Many people take their time empty, don’t lead to anything useful. It mainly refers to watching TV, today is replaced by computer.

“Still, if you want to be a writer, it is not the worst opinion – strip the cable of television, wound it on a steel pike and poke a fork into a socket – see what and where flies”.

2. Be persistent

Having a failure, don’t stop trying to do it again. King was hanging on the wall the obtained publisher refuses.

“When I was 14, the nail in the wall couldn’t bear the weight of sheets of failure. Replacing carpenter nail with a crutch I continued to write.“

After years of denials they became softer and after a while publishers have begun to take his writings to be published. Well, when it became known, it could send the previously rejected works – and no one could reject his works ever after.

3. Don’t take in mind criticism

There always will be people who are ready to blame others.

“If you write (books, or pictures, or sing) someone always tries to instill a sense of shame you for it.”

Do what you think is right and don’t pay attention to the spiteful critics.

4. Maintain and develop your own form

The author suggests that we need to refine and improve the necessary tools.

“To write on high level of your capacities you should make your own box of tools”.

As a writer he speaks about vocabulary and grammar skills. Each person can decide what tools he needs in his work.

5. Do what you like

“What doesn’t bring happiness that is not good. Reading and writing it is not less than to play a musical instrument, playing baseball or the content of restaurant.”

The long and hard work may seem harsh, if you like it and if you have this tendency.

6. Follow routines and disciplines

Do some work every day.

“I have already said that I work every day except Christmas, Fourth of July and my own birthday. This was not true. The truth is that when I write, then write every day.”

If you follow the rule number 5, the discipline – it is not difficult.

7. Think of those for whom you work

“How to find a middle ground with the help of the ideal reader. Try to imagine if he was bored reading a scene – if you know the tastes of the ideal reader at least half as far as I know his tastes it will be easy.”

Imagine the reaction of the consumers of your work that you do. Will they like it or maybe it needs some work.

8. Work not for money

“Yes, I chop a bunch of money, but never write some papers for it.”

Go back to section 5 – try to do things like that, and the rest will follow. The pursuit of money can take away from the correct course and not allow to unleash the potential of man.

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