Can you imagine selling 350 million books?  It takes your breath away, but one writer reputedly has done it – Stephen King with 70 books of horror, science fiction, and fantasy to his name.   He has shared some of his writing strategies that have contributed to his success.

TELL THE TRUTH! You can write anything you want, as long as you tell the truth by imbuing your story with life.  Make it unique by blending in your own knowledge of life, friendship, relationships and work.  Be brave.

DON’T USE BIG WORDS IF SMALL ONES WORK.   It’s like dressing up your household pet in evening clothes.

USE SOME SINGLE SENTENCE PARAGRAPHS. It makes the reader feel welcome. The single sentence paragraph resembles talking more than writing  – it’s seduction.

WRITE FOR YOUR IDEAL READER. All novels are really letters aimed at one person – the ideal reader.  In King’s case, it was his wife Tabitha.

READ A LOT.  Always have a book with you to read in small sips as well as in long swallows – waiting rooms, theatre lobbies, long checkout lines and the smallest room in the house.

WRITE ONE WORD AT A TIME.   It’s that simple.

WRITE FOR THE JOY OF IT.   He said he’s made a lot of money, but never wrote just for the money. He did it for the buzz and the pure joy of writing.  He said that if you write for joy, you can do it forever.

So now you know.  Happy writing.