Life lessons from Stephen King’s “On Writing”

Stephen King’s “On Writing” is a goldmine of wisdom that extends far beyond the craft of writing. Before we dive into the quotes that have shaped my outlook on life, here are some fun facts about King and this remarkable book:

• King wrote the first draft of “On Writing” by hand, using a Waterman cartridge pen.
• The book was put on hold after King’s near-death accident in 1999, where he was struck by a van while walking.
• King’s wife, Tabitha, rescued the manuscript of his first novel “Carrie” from the trash, where he had thrown it in frustration.
• “On Writing” was originally conceived as a series of short magazine articles about the craft.

Here are ten quotes that have shaped not just my approach to writing, but my outlook on life.

1) “Your job isn’t to find ideas, but to recognize them.”

This reminds me to stay open to inspiration in everyday life. Great ideas often come from the most unexpected places. Most of us will not be and don’t have to be great inventors; we can do well by just being keen observers.

2) “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

Whether it’s a new job, relationship, or project, that first step is always the hardest. But it’s also the most important.

3) “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

Replace “writer” with any profession or skill. Success comes from immersion and practice, no matter what you’re pursuing.

4) “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”

In life, as in writing, sometimes less is more. Be direct, clear and judicious with your words.

5) “Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference.”

This holds true for any challenging endeavor. A good support system can make all the difference in achieving your goals.

6) “Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.”

In any form of communication, leave room for others’ interpretations. Don’t always spell everything out — allow for dialogue and exchange of ideas.

7) “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

Probably my favorite quote. It’s mostly all about consistency— showing up every day, whether you feel inspired or not.

8) “Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.”

I interpret this as: create freely, but then open it up to feedback without becoming defensive.

9) “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”

It is easy to get attached to your creations. So we need to evaluate everything critically, even the parts we’re most proud of, and being willing to let go if they don’t serve the larger purpose.

10) “To write is human, to edit is divine.

Whether it’s a project at work, a personal goal, or even a relationship, the initial draft is just the beginning. The ‘editing’ — the thoughtful revisions, the trimming of excess, the polishing of rough edges — that’s where we elevate our work and ourselves. It’s a reminder that greatness often lies not in the first attempt, but in the willingness to revisit, rethink, and improve.

I’m a sucker for a good quote, and King serves them up like a literary short-order cook. These gems from “On Writing” aren’t just about putting words on paper — they’re life hacks disguised as writing advice. Whether you’re crafting the next great American novel or just trying to adult successfully, there’s something here for you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some darlings to kill and a scary start to face.