Stephen King wants to reach out and grab you - with his writing

Stephen King discusses his writing process, character development, and the evolution of his trilogy, starting with 'Mr. Mercedes'. He emphasizes the organic nature of storytelling, where characters and plots often take unexpected turns. King shares his philosophy on writing, highlighting the importance of emotional engagement and the intuitive discovery of story ideas. He believes writing can be learned through reading and practice, though not necessarily taught. King also expresses his fear of losing the ability to write due to conditions like Alzheimer's, underscoring his passion for storytelling.

What was Stephen King's initial plan for the 'Mr. Mercedes' book?

• To write a short story

• To write a series of five books

• To create a trilogy

• To write a standalone novel

How does Stephen King describe the development of characters in his novels?

• As an organic growth around a central idea

• As a strict adherence to an outline

• As a collaborative effort with readers

• As a predetermined process

How does Stephen King describe his writing style?

• As primarily visual

• As strictly logical

• As emotionally engaging

• As purely intellectual

According to King, how do story ideas typically come to a writer?

• By following a strict writing schedule

• From a central repository of ideas

• By keeping one's sensors open to the world

• Through a structured brainstorming session

What does Stephen King believe about the ability to teach writing?

• It is a self-taught skill developed through reading

• It is a skill that cannot be learned

• It can be fully taught in a classroom

• It requires a mentor to guide the process

What routine does Stephen King follow to maintain his writing discipline?

• Stopping with a few pages of raw copy

• Starting with a blank page every day

• Writing at different times each day

• Revising the previous day's work before starting

What is Stephen King's greatest fear related to his writing career?

• Not being able to publish his work

• Losing the ability to write due to Alzheimer's

• Facing writer's block

• Running out of story ideas