Stephen King: Adopting Consistent Practice

The secret for Stephen King, the king of stories, is habit. King is famous for his orderly approach to writing. He follows a strict daily regimen. He usually writes roughly 10 pages or 2,000 words every day, including vacations. His motto is, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration; the rest of us get up and go to work.” King reduces the chance of writer’s block. He does this by setting a routine, not a one-off. When you visit the Nook, you will find this master storyteller’s total collection. For those who think he only writes horror, Green Mile, Stand by Me- also the work of The Kingster. 

Margaret Atwood: The Power of Location

\

Margaret Atwood finds that new environments ignite her creative impulses. This helps with her rich narratives and imagined realms. Atwood leaves her work and walks outside when she feels confined. She might take a walk in the forest or visit a busy café. The change of scenery lets her see her work from a different perspective. “I find that stepping outside into the natural world opens up something inside me, allowing ideas to flow more freely,” she said. A long time fan of Atwoods, we have her collection including her poetry. Whilst many know her for the Handmaid’s Tale, my all time fave is The Blind Assassin, the book which won the Booker Prize in 2000. 

J.K. Rowling: Handwritten Writing

Pen and paper’s simplicity comforts J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter series. Rowling often turns back to handwriting when she runs up against a creative wall. This tactile technique helps her rediscover her love of narrative. It takes her away from the temptations of modern technology. Her explanation is, “There’s something about the act of writing by hand that slows you down and allows you to think differently.” Complete Potterheads will find all the books in the Nook. It also has quirky tributes hidden throughout, for when you visit. 

Elizabeth Gilbert: Go back to joy.

Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote Eat, Pray, Love, overcomes writer’s block. She does it by returning to her favourite subjects. She advises authors to rediscover the delight and wonder that drew them to stories. Gilbert sometimes pursues other creative avenues, like painting or gardening, or works on side projects. This rekindles her enthusiasm. It usually sends her back to her writing desk, bursting with fresh ideas and energy. Eat, Pray Love is another book with a home at the Nook. Favourite quote?

“Il bel far niente means ‘the beauty of doing nothing’. Now I see it as the necessary precondition for the deliciousness of everything. All the good stuff happens when you’re relaxed and letting your body, your mind, and your heart become open to experience and enjoyment.”

Ernest Hemingway: The Value of Noting Something for Tomorrow

Ernest Hemingway had a different approach. He stopped writing when he knew what would happen next. He would have somewhere to pick up the following day without beginning cold. Hemingway advised, “The best way is always to stop when you’re going good and when you know what will happen next.” Should you do it daily, you will never find yourself caught. Hemingway takes pride of place in many of his works in our library. I love his work, the way he threw the intellegencia out with his simplified word use was a game changer. Favorite quote? From Hemingway’s memoir A Moveable Feast: “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”