Openings and Closings: How Gillian Flynn and Stephen King Get It Done

PLUS: Great work so far! You've made so many beautiful things. Day 8 of #TodayYouWillWrite's November Daily Write-Along.

from my colleague Margaret Luongo’s office door

Hello out there, dear writer friends,

It is Friday! You’ve been writing consistently for many days, perhaps taking rest days over weekends, like I do. Some of you are on a streak of writing 1K a day, some of you are doing whatever your manuscript needs and you have energy for that day to meet the long-term goals of a book draft. Some of you have deadlines to meet for your publisher. Some of you are trying out writing a novel for the first time. And some of you are keeping your goals closer to the chest. It’s amazing, all of these stages, all of this writing. If ever you feel inclined, you are always welcome to leave a comment or reply to this email and pose a question for me to consider in a future letter or let me know a craft thing you are struggling with. I’m writing about topics arising to me week by week, but I’m also here for you and love connecting whatever is on your mind with what is on mine.

A note today to get you on your way and into the writing room, inspired by how Stephen King composes his openings and how Gillian Flynn closes out each writing session. I’m going to try both today!