This book strips away romantic notions of the muse and replaces them with a call to discipline. Writers, King insists, must show up at the desk and do the work—whether inspiration strikes or not.

He shares these and many ofhsd keys to solid storytelling:

• Kill your darlings
  Even your most inspired lines must go if they don’t serve the story.
• Avoid overwriting
  Use the first word that comes to mind. Simplicity builds momentum.
• Trust the reader:
  Omit some details and let the audience fill in the blanks.
• Favor active voice:
  Bold, direct sentences keep the narrative moving.
• Streamline dialogue:
  Stick to “he said/she said” and skip the adverbs, which often clutter more than clarify.