How long does it take to write a book stephen king

The craft of writing horror stories while writer stephen king was recovering from a nearfatal car accident, he finished a nonfiction book about the. Stephen king is a new york timesbestselling novelist who made his name in the horror and fantasy genres with books like carrie, the shining and it. Ever wondered how to write a book like stephen king. Stephen kings books have sold over 350 million copies. I reckon 60 words on 17 july was my low point, but i notice i worked on the outline, too, that day. Take note, as this is your chance to have a story published in the paperback. The long walk is a novel by american writer stephen king, published in 1979, under the pseudonym richard bachman. Just seems that writing a book could take near on twenty years to get it all. When you write a story, youre telling yourself the story. Oct 30, 2015 ten things i learned about writing from stephen king. I plan to read this because its supposed to be amazing, but its well over pages and the pages are very long.

By being consistent every day or at least every other day, the pressure to create perfect work will be alleviated because you know its. Personally, its inspired me more than any other book ive ever read, and if i could recommend only one book to bloggers, on writing would be it. There is no clearcut answer for how long it should take to write a novel. Interesting list though, some good things to think about as i sit with 3 chapters of a book id started and then my train of thought derailed. He has published 61 novels, including seven under the pen name richard bachman, and six nonfiction books. Check below to see how long it took for authors to. I wanted to take a red marker and exacto knife to that book. Bob giusti illustration amy hill lettering comingofage story. Since the books publication king s story has been adapted several times. The daily routine of 20 famous writers and how you can use. Published in 1977, it is king s third published novel and first hardback bestseller.

A lot of aspiring writers asked about the authors method. It is a 1986 horror novel by american author stephen king. Cain, looked back on favorite intros hes written, and explained how he approaches a book s first moments. Oct 01, 2000 in our final extract from his new book, on writing, stephen king reveals six key rules for writing a bestseller. It s really good, and really scary as a glamour feeds on the weakminded and the children in stephen king s imaginary town. Stephen king is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. Bestselling thriller writer, stephen king, has penned over 50 novels and sold over 350 million. Over a threemonth span, that amounts to around 180,000 words. How long does it take stephen king to write his novels. How long did stephen king take to write carrie answers. Stephen king outlines and ken follett is a pantser, really extremists rarely add much to any conversation. Why stephen king spends months and even years writing.

Childe roland to the dark tower came but, boy, did it take a while for the gunslinger to find his way to the big screen. Ten things i learned about writing from stephen king books. If i had known how long it would actually take, i wonder if i ever would have started the thing. Kings published wait for it 55 novels, 11 collections of stories, 5 nonfiction works, 7. It was collected in 1985 in the hardcover omnibus the bachman books, and has seen several reprints since, as both paperback and hardback. He admits that not even the king himself always sticks to his rulesbut trying to follow them is a. Kings manual on writing reveals that hes relentlessly dedicated to his craft. Stephen kings 20 tips for becoming a frighteningly good. His recent work includes the institute, elevation, the outsider, sleeping beauties cowritten with his son owen king, and the bill hodges trilogy. The novels narrative is based on the relationship of its two main characters the popular writer paul sheldon and his psychotic fan annie wilkes.

Many fans rejected the eyes of the dragon because it was an epic fantasy book, with virtually none of the horror that initially made his reputation. Misery is an american psychological horror thriller novel written by stephen king and first published by viking press on june 8, 1987. Why did stephen king write the book different seasons. Ten things i learned about writing from stephen king.

King might be best known or, rather, best regarded as a writer of horror novels, but really, his. I was in chicago watching a live interview with david morrell, who wrote first blood for you rambo fans, and he knew stephen king pretty well. Some classics took over a decade while others were written in a few weeks. It was his 18th novel, and the th novel written under his own name. The pronouns that take the place of the proper noun major stephen long are. Are you writing your first novel, or do you already have a minilibrary of fiction under your belt. As king emerged from his crippling stint of writers block, his devoted readers claimed that there was new depth and intelligence to his writing. The green mile is a 1996 serial novel by american writer stephen king. King started his epic in 1970, inspired by his love of movies. Dark tower plans would include idris elba king started his epic in 1970, inspired by his love of movies. Apr 21, 2020 stephen king is a new york timesbestselling novelist who made his name in the horror and fantasy genres with books like carrie, the shining and it.

Stephen kings 20 tips for becoming a frighteningly good writer. Stephen king has published 57 novels, all of them bestsellers. He admits that not even the king himself always sticks to his rulesbut trying to follow them is a good start. On writing quotes by stephen king goodreads share book. How to write like stephen king by pamela hodges 80 comments there are many ways to approach writing a story. Wondering how long it takes to write a novel is a useful question. Messages can be posted on the stephen king message board which stephen does read, although not every day and he does not read every message. In our final extract from his new book, on writing, stephen king reveals six key rules for writing a bestseller. This timeline occurred in 19791980, over a span of about 9months, with real life, eerie and unexplainable events, that, unless you lived it, is hard to believe. I admired his books before i ever met him and as a kind of return tip of the cap, he put me in that book the princess bride. It has 1,166 pages and the reader will find themselves counting down the pages.

How long does it take stephen king to write a book. Aug 01, 2009 it took me about a week to read, and i was reading it 6 hours per day when i could. Jul 02, 2010 while writer stephen king was recovering from a nearfatal car accident, he finished a nonfiction book about the craft of writing. Daily writing stints will keep your creative writing muscle in peak condition, too. One of stephen kings inspirations for misery was the reaction his fans had to his 1984 novel the eyes of the dragon. But, i am no writer, although, i have a story, a real life story, that i feel would be a great book for stephen king to write. The book was released by viking on september 15, 1986. The scariest moment is always just before you start. In a 2000 interview with terry gross, king talked about the.

The shining is a horror novel by american author stephen king. How to write in our final extract from his new book, on writing, stephen king reveals six key rules for writing a bestseller. The first draft of a bookeven a long oneshould take no more than three months, the length of a season. And now hes going to tell you exactly how to become a frighteningly good writer. If youre a writer, on the other, youre far better served by sticking around and. Below, we bring you kings top twenty rules from on writing. The dark tower is a series of eight books and one short story written by american author stephen king that incorporate themes from multiple genres, including dark fantasy, science fantasy, horror, and western. Jul 23, 20 king paid tribute to douglas fairbairn and james m. Write weekly and you will spend half the time trying to get back to the place you left off last week. Gary millergetty images renowned author stephen king has written.

The serial novel was originally released in six volumes before being republished as a singlevolume work. I only heard how long it took him to write one book cujo. Stephen edwin king born september 21, 1947 is an american author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy novels. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, many of which have been adapted into films, television series, miniseries, and comic books. So if the manuscript is, lets say, 360 pages long, thats basically two months work.

The dark tower is a lengthy read, however the final two books are not divided into volumes, and book. How long does it usually take stephen king to write one book. Authors like stephen king pump out two books per year while others write way less, like harper lee who only wrote two books her entire life. On writing how long does it take you to write a book. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The personal pronouns are he as a subject and him as an object in a sentence. The lesson is not how long but who is qualified for actually getting a book published. The dark tower is a series of eight books and one short story written by american author stephen king. So with that in mind, if you are an aspiring writer wondering how long it might take to write your first novel. The first draft of a bookeven a long oneshould take no more than three. If you spend too long on your piece, king believes the story begins to take on an odd foreign feel.

Paul sheldon feeling chained to the misery books by his fans was a metaphor for kings feeling chained to horror fiction. Apr 25, 2017 authors like stephen king pump out two books per year while others write way less, like harper lee who only wrote two books her entire life. You cant tell how long long cause it all depends on which one and how fast you read or how often you read. King takes a book with him everywhere he goes, and even reads. How long did it take authors to write your favorite book. The story follows the experiences of seven children as they are. How long did it take stephen king to write it answers. Like them or loathe them, you have to admit thats impressive.

King takes a book with him everywhere he goes, and even reads during meals. He worked in the mornings from when first woke up to around noon, and. Stephen kings top writing tips the writing cooperative. In some 45 years of writing, stephen king has published 31,271 pages across 59 novels, plus five works of nonfiction and more than 200 short stories. The functioning or lack thereof in the federal government right now is proof of that. It was one of the best selling novels in the united states of that year and is now considered a modern masterpiece of the horror genre in literature. Its a tight, solid story that shows kings ability to paint vivid characters and his deftness with psychological horror. Where other writing books are focused on the mechanics of the written word, king shows. The story follows the experiences of seven children as they are terrorized by an evil entity that exploits the fears of its victims to disguise itself while hunting its prey. Aug 15, 2017 stephen king writes 6 pages and over words a day. Do you really want to know how many hours of labour its going to take. How long does it take to read on writing by stephen king. When i am working on a book or a story i write every morning as soon after first light as possible.

Dec 02, 2015 how long does it take to write a novel. Carrie was the first book that stephen king published, and in this case, starting from the beginning is a great thing. Mar 22, 20 stephen kings books have sold over 350 million copies. Check below to see how long it took for authors to write some of your favorite works of literature. Hes called the king for a reason, and its not just his last name. Why stephen king spends months and even years writing opening sentences.

Frequently asked questions about stephen king and his work. It describes a gunslinger and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. The first draft of a book even a long one should take no more than three months, the length of a season, he says. Oct 20, 20 i only heard how long it took him to write one book cujo. Stephen king has written in just about every genre imaginable, has sold over 350 million copies of his books, and has had work adapted to movies, miniseries, and comics. I used to love stephen king and still love his earlier books. It tells the story of death row supervisor paul edgecombes encounter with john coffey, an unusual inmate who displays inexplicable healing and empathetic abilities. Stephen kings top 20 rules for writers open culture. Take note, as this is your chance to have a story published in the. How long does it take stephen king to write a novel. I only heard how long it took him to write one bookcujo. Stephen has no public email address and we do not give out his personal email address. Incorporating themes from multiple genres, including dark fantasy, science fantasy, horror, and western, it describes a gunslinger and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. He said that first, king wrote 365 days of the year including christmas.