Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
Once I start work on a project, I don’t stop and I don’t slow down unless I absolutely have to. If I don’t write every day, the characters begin to stale off in my mind – they begin to seem like characters instead of real people. The tale’s narrative cutting edge starts to rust and I begin to lose my hold on the story’s plot and pace. Worst of all, the excitement of spinning something new begins to fade. The work starts to feel like work, and for most writers that is the smooch of death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Consistent work and daily dedication are vital for creativity and maintaining engagement with a project.
In this quote, Stephen King emphasizes the importance of daily writing and maintaining a consistent workflow when working on creative projects. He suggests that failing to write regularly can lead to a loss of connection with the characters and narrative, making the writing process feel burdensome rather than exciting. This underscores the necessity of discipline in nurturing creativity and maintaining the vitality of storytelling.
Themes
WritingCreativityDisciplineConsistencyNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
During a writing workshop, one might share this quote to encourage participants to maintain a daily writing practice.
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