Stephen King on Writing: Don't Use A Notebook

A tip from one of the most prolific writers in our industry. While romanticised and immortalised in the writer's experience, the notebook might be your worst ally when coming up with ideas.

One counter thought to this: when writing a big novel, creating an outline or mapping your characters isn't a bad idea. It also heavily depends on whether you're a "gardener" or an "architect" - a subject we've covered at length.

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[mrswaggersticksgamingextra]

David Lynch has the exact opposite take on this subject. Lynch believes that not writing an idea down when it's fresh is akin to murder. That said, whatever process works for you is what matters.

[Liopleurodon]

And then theres me who forgets all the good ideas within an hour and only remembers the really really bad and cringy stuff. Id be completely lost without my notebook

[IbrahimDarCo]

Worth noting that Stephen king is always writing so his ideas get captured quickly.

If you write once a year, you better store your ideas somewhere coz you will forget em at some point

[damadoms]

This is what works for him. We all must find our method of writing. I dislike sitting in front of my laptop until a story is ready to be typed out. Until then I will write an idea on paper or keep brainstorming until a storyline flows.

[FredHenry]

His intuitive writing style both intrigues me and inspires me. The fact that he can write a 500 page novel with a simple "What if" question is astonishing to me.

[TheRogueJedii]

solid advice. a notebook could then be good, only to write ideas that you are 100% sure are worth writing down.

[Bronte]

Even the ideas that stick around require a notebook, for me.

[tattoodude]

Interesting point of view, but I do not feel it applies to everyone and certainly not all writers (or creatives as a whole really). Some people don't have time to let things percolate and life can be very distracting, encouraging the loss of what may have been a great concept. Many people have jobs, family, bills and other stresses/commitments that tap the mind and ideas can fall through the cracks.
The only universal, incontestable "rule" that applies to writing that I have ever found is to read and be open to learning more - about your writing, yourself and the world in general. Those things will improve your writing. But any rules like always throw away your first draft and rewrite it from scratch, make detailed outlines before writing, or don't bother with a notebook, are very subjective and individual to that writer and their personal take on what works for them.

[KN]

You can easily write it down, tuck it in a folder. It'll either be something you can work with or a writing prompt you can slap a plot twist on. Either way, the idea shouldn't be ignored.

[jmdesantis]

As much as I respect this man and his writing, for me, I find this advice to be so unhelpful. The good ideas do stay, for sure, but sometimes I need to declutter my mind or get a bit on paper before using it weeks, months, or years later.

It really boils down to what type of writer you are.

[bintube]

i wonder how many ideas have been lost thanks to this advice

[shadesofgray]

If you have an excellent memory, aren't easily distracted, and you're a genius, well, I could see how this might work for you. Also, SK has an awesome wife who keeps the rest of his life together. If I don't write something down right away, it's gone forever, whether a good idea or a bad one. Luckily, I carry around a handy little notepad everywhere as a smartphone app.

[kilian-one-l]

My ADHD could never, I just write everything down in a big doc, and the amount of times I come across a great idea I'd forgotten about is... every time I go through the document lmao

[dawnmrodgers]

I’ve heard this before,
Which is great if you have a good memory. Even the most amazing ideas can be forgotten if you have a bad memory.😢

[amandawebster]

I adore him. I agree w him on this and on writing everyday for a little bit. Very helpful.

But here’s the thing: other people do great things other ways. It’s really ok. Find your process that works for you.

[icchasaki]

This is how I used to write. And it worked, to a degree. I think it’s a good way to start. But once I have that solidified idea, the real core of it, I can usually tell when I’ve struck gold with an idea or connection and sometimes there are too many to keep track of. Especially as someone with AuDHD. But writing down ideas doesn’t mean they’re set in stone, it just takes the pressure off me to keep it all on my head, and most of the time I don’t have to go back and read those notes. When I do, it’s because I’m in the brainstorming process for something specific and they serve as a sort of cork board. Often the ideas will naturally change and evolve and by the time I write them they’re completely different from the notes. And that’s fine.

The notes I remember I don’t read the notes for. And the ones I need are usually small and specific details where I go “oh yeah! That’s because of x, and will fully round out so-and-so’s character arc!” or something along those lines.

[mohamedmubeen]

If this method works for him, it doesn't necessarily mean that it'll work for me as well...

We all are not genuinses like him and we are geniuses in our own ways....

[theangryMD]

this little pearl is wisdom is great, but i also see the value of immortalizing my ideas because of how addled my mind stays.

[androgynousandy]

this is good advice for some people, 100%. the thing is with me, is that i'll have a great idea then I will forget the whole thing. sometimes I'll look back at my writing and remember some of these great ideas that were lost to my horrible memory

[ShelleyAK]

For me personally I read and listen to his book on writing and Garner so much little nuggets of helpful truth from it. I've also picked up helpful tips from 5 or 6 other writing helpers and a lot of it is contradicting each other. That's okay. You pick and choose what works for you out of what you're learning. I think reading in general is your best tool for becoming a better writer. The more you read and devour the more you can discover a style you lean towards and Hornet and make it your own. Find your voice. My story is that are worth writing down usually bloom from ideas in my dreams. I've always vividly dreamed but my story dreams are weirdly detailed in major plot points. I always write them down but I write the supporting Story by the seat of my pants