Jump to content

Stephen King ~ Thoughts on writing a novel with a Waterman Fountain Pen


dragon899

Recommended Posts

I was listening to an older interview with Stephen King and was interested to learn that he actually wrote one of his more recent books the old fashioned way (long hand ~ without computer) using a Waterman fountain pen. I searched the forums here and didn't find that this had ever been brought up, and thought some might find this an interesting piece of trivia. One of those things a collector of Waterman pens would share at dinner or around a campfire.

 

Link to the youtube post where I found this out.

 

 

(Stephen actually brought one of his ledger books to the interview and discusses the benefits of writing long hand as opposed to a word processor)

 

I found it a really fascinating interview...hope some of you do as well.

 

 

Mike

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 21
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Titivillus

    4

  • RLTodd

    4

  • dogpoet

    3

  • dragon899

    2

This has been discussed as I remember referring to the intro to one of the Dark Tower series where he mentions the pens he used.

 

 

Kurt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  dragon899 said:
I was listening to an older interview with Stephen King and was interested to learn that he actually wrote one of his more recent books the old fashioned way (long hand ~ without computer) using a Waterman fountain pen.

I only heard two things about the book (Dreamcatcher), so it may not be entirely fair to post it here:

a.) that the book was no good

b.) that the pen was a cartridge filler

For many here b.) might explain a.). B)

 

Edit: oops, you have to be careful here with the letter b followed by a closing bracket. It turns into a smiley.

Edited by Bartimaeus
Link to comment
Share on other sites

AIR, he went to the pen because his macular degeneration was causing severe problems with using a word processor.

 

I think the fountain pen, rather than the customary BP or RB, was because someone gave him one so he used it.

 

 

YMMV

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  Bartimaeus said:
  dragon899 said:
I was listening to an older interview with Stephen King and was interested to learn that he actually wrote one of his more recent books the old fashioned way (long hand ~ without computer) using a Waterman fountain pen.

I only heard two things about the book (Dreamcatcher), so it may not be entirely fair to post it here:

a.) that the book was no good

b.) that the pen was a cartridge filler

For many here b.) might explain a.). B)

 

 

my two comments:

a) didn't really like dreamcatcher but many of his recent books have not really been enjoyable to me

B) (I'm sure you can do better) all the arrogant filler-snobs who say that a cartridge filler is a lesser pen! :thumbup:

 

Kurt

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

(1) Agree that "Dreamcatcher" was not good. In either an absolute sense compared to what is available in print or a relative sense as compared to his other works. One of those ones where I felt short changed even for a five dollar COSTCO paperback. But then the movie was even worse. (Not fair to blame King, as script butchery is a common Hollywood attribute. Sometimes they just buy the novel for the title.)

 

(2) Since Mr. King suffers from Macular Degeneration I would think that even a cartridge loader would be somewhat of an inconvenience for him.

 

 

Edited by RLTodd

YMMV

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filler method aside, I do remember feeling that the best way to read Dreamcatcher was to play "Which of His Own Works is King Re-Using?" There's very few of his novels that don't put in an appearance in that one. The film was indeed worse.

 

And yes, there are some sour grapes involved in that. I'm sure the vast sacks of mainly-well-deserved money will cushion the harshness of my comments.

Ravensmarch Pens & Books
It's mainly pens, just now....

Oh, good heavens. He's got a blog now, too.

 

fpn_1465330536__hwabutton.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stephen King has written a book on writing, called, strangely enough "On Writing". It is an excellent book on the craft of writing.

 

It appears, though, that one of my bookshelves has hidden my copy and won't give it back, otherwise I would check to see if he says anything about writing tools (pens, typewriters, word processors) as against writing techniques.

 

 

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  dcwaites said:
Stephen King has written a book on writing, called, strangely enough "On Writing". It is an excellent book on the craft of writing.

 

It appears, though, that one of my bookshelves has hidden my copy and won't give it back, otherwise I would check to see if he says anything about writing tools (pens, typewriters, word processors) as against writing techniques.

 

He doesn't in that book

 

K

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  dcwaites said:
Stephen King has written a book on writing, called, strangely enough "On Writing". It is an excellent book on the craft of writing.

 

It appears, though, that one of my bookshelves has hidden my copy and won't give it back, otherwise I would check to see if he says anything about writing tools (pens, typewriters, word processors) as against writing techniques.

 

yes some of his books are guess which other stories series he will put in. Hearts in Atlantis is one book I got to the end and threw away angry that I had spent that much time reading a purile piece of dreck. That had a few tiny pieces of his overriding 'dark tower' in it.

 

Kurt

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  Titivillus said:
  dcwaites said:
Stephen King has written a book on writing, called, strangely enough "On Writing". It is an excellent book on the craft of writing.

 

It appears, though, that one of my bookshelves has hidden my copy and won't give it back, otherwise I would check to see if he says anything about writing tools (pens, typewriters, word processors) as against writing techniques.

 

He doesn't in that book

 

K

 

As I recall most of that book was his life story. About how he writes, as I recall, it was he just writes.......................... Gets an idea and goes with it. Which kind of makes sense. I frequently get the impression that he definitely does make it up as he goes along.

 

 

 

 

 

YMMV

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

As I recall most of that book was his life story. About how he writes, as I recall, it was he just writes.......................... Gets an idea and goes with it. Which kind of makes sense. I frequently get the impression that he definitely does make it up as he goes along.

 

That was the impression I got from that youtube video I mentioned in my opening comment. Since he had written that novel out in long-hand, they asked him how he shuffles paragraphs around etc...for the final copy. Stephen just basically said that he never does that...he might delete some things here and there in the final edit...but nothing gets re-arranged because it's a story. It's as if he just makes it up as he goes...or has it all worked out in his head already and it's just a matter of writing it down.

 

I'm reading through the "On Writing" book currently as well. So far it has pretty much just been autobiographical with interesting pieces thrown in here and there on his concept of writing. The autobiographical stories are very interesting...but as an inspiring writer I'm hoping he shares a little more "how to" in the latter part of the book...I guess we'll see.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve's a "pantser" as it's known in the trade. So'm I. So is Nora Roberts. [i keep invoking millionaire authors in hope it rubs off!] Instead of outlining into meticulous detail every chapter and turn of a book, a "pantser" writes by the seat of their pants. We don't know how our stories end until they do! It makes them more character driven as we're dependent upon things happening to and by our characters instead of bending the character to the story line.

 

Sometimes all it takes is a few articles off the news or a handful of post its with notes on them and a book is born.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Writing by the seat of ones pants sounds like a good description. I note that Mr. King said he started writing very early and once he started he just kept on doing it. It sounded like he got past Jerry Pournelle's "first million words go directly into the trash can" fule before he was out of his teens.

YMMV

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  Ghost Plane said:
Steve's a "pantser" as it's known in the trade. So'm I. So is Nora Roberts. [i keep invoking millionaire authors in hope it rubs off!] Instead of outlining into meticulous detail every chapter and turn of a book, a "pantser" writes by the seat of their pants. We don't know how our stories end until they do! It makes them more character driven as we're dependent upon things happening to and by our characters instead of bending the character to the story line.

 

Sometimes all it takes is a few articles off the news or a handful of post its with notes on them and a book is born.

That said, King has made a few snotty comments about writers who do outline stuff first not being proper writers, and belonging in Academia instead. I do wonder if he applies this to his occasional colleague Peter Straub*, Neil Gaiman (who King's written a number of glowing blurbs for, and outlines everything he writes at more than short story length to within an inch of its life before he starts writing), or Richard Matheson (who King's fond of citing as an influence, and plotted out his two best novels in advance of writing them).

 

King's obviously a very successful writer, and he's produced some excellent stuff in his time, but I really do think he's talking (Potty Mouth) on that one. Apart from anything else, an outline isn't a straightjacket, it's a guide. If something contrary occurs to you while you're writing, you can dump it and go with that, and few people write from guidelines so meticulously anal that they rule out including anything that hasn't been plotted in advance.

 

*(Now I think about it, both The Talisman and The Black House were plotted out in advance before they started writing either novel, weren't they?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Stephen King makes the point that to write one must write. Other writers will say the same thing. I've been that person who's looked for tricks, secrets and techniques to help me write instead of actually writing. On a fountain pen forum there must be a few who looked to the pen for the answer to their own failings. That's how I came to find fountain pens, after all.

 

It comes down to this: The less of a physical chore writing is for you, the more likely you will be to do it. Since writing is the only way to write, removing things that keep you from writing is good. Just be aware that writing will result in you having writing something, not removing things that keep you from writing.

 

As for his statement about outlining. We all have a need to feel that what we are doing isn't only acceptable, but the preferable method. So, since he doesn't outline, outlining is a bad thing to do.

 

I find I extensively outline. I call it my first draft. Frequently I will never read my first draft but immediately start my second.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That was a really interesting interview. Did he use Florida Blue to write the book, then? If so, then doesn't that mean that the original manuscript would be very prone to fading over time if exposed to light?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  Coyotebd said:
It comes down to this: The less of a physical chore writing is for you, the more likely you will be to do it. Since writing is the only way to write, removing things that keep you from writing is good. Just be aware that writing will result in you having writing something, not removing things that keep you from writing.

Word. That part of King's argument I have no argument with at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    • Penguincollector Today 17:03
      Hello @Jeffrey Sher, pen club information can be found in the Pen Clubs, Meetings, and Events sub forum. If you use Google site search you can find information specific to Israel.
    • Jeffrey Sher 14 Apr 8:25
      Shalom just joined . I have been collection fountain pens for many years. I believe there is a club in Israel that meets monthly. please let me have details. .
    • lamarax 11 Apr 0:58
      It's gonna end where 1929 left us: a world war, shambles, and 'growth by rebuilding'. That's the conservative view of cycling history --and the big plan. Even if our generations perish.
    • lamarax 11 Apr 0:49
      Of course trade wars are much, more important than the prices of consumer products. The true intention is to weaken the dollar, so that the Chinese start selling their US held debt. But the dollar being the defacto world reserve currency, it doesn't lose value that easily. So the idea is to target trade through artificially raising prices. Problem is, inflation will skyrocket. Good luck with that.
    • lamarax 11 Apr 0:33
      Guess who loses
    • lamarax 11 Apr 0:30
      In Europe, the only (truly) American produced brand is Esterbrook AFAIK. Tariffs will make Esterbrook products compete on the same level as some high-end European brands (let's say Aurora), while clearly the product is manufactured to compete on a much lower price level.
    • lamarax 11 Apr 0:24
      So let's say you want to buy a Montblanc or whatever. You pay the current tariff on top of the usual price, unless your local distributor is willing to absorb (some) of the difference
    • lamarax 11 Apr 0:20
      Tariffs are paid by the importer, not the exporter.
    • TheQuillDeal 10 Apr 2:44
      Can anyone explain how the tariff war will affect fountain pen prices??
    • Penguincollector 30 Mar 15:07
      Oh yes, pictures are on the “ I got this pen today” thread.
    • lectraplayer 29 Mar 9:19
      Is it here yet?
    • Penguincollector 26 Mar 5:00
      I just got the tracking information for my Starwalker💃🏻
    • T.D. Rabbit 3 Mar 12:46
      @lamarax I am horrified... And slightly intrigued. But mostly just scared.
    • lamarax 2 Mar 20:38
      Oh well. In case of failure you can always wring the paper to have a nice -albeit somewhat stale- cup of coffee back.
    • T.D. Rabbit 2 Mar 10:20
      @Astronymus I could use cornstarch... Or i could distill it and make it very concentrated.
    • T.D. Rabbit 2 Mar 10:20
      @lamarax That's what I used! (In reply to black coffee).. But the milk might not be good at all for paper.
    • Grayfeather 2 Mar 0:08
      Good day, all.
    • Gertrude F 20 Feb 17:58
      Sorry think I posted this in the wrong place. Used to be a user, just re-upped. Be kind. 😑
    • Gertrude F 20 Feb 17:56
      Looking to sell huge lot of pretty much every Man 200 made - FP, BP, MP, one or two RBs. Does anyone have a suggestion for a bulk purhase house? Thanks - and hope this doesn't violate any rules.
    • lamarax 17 Feb 18:05
      Cappuccino should work. Frothy milk also helps to lubricate the nib. But it has to be made by a barista.
    • Astronymus 17 Feb 16:19
      YOu might need to thicken the coffee with something. I admit I have no idea with what. But I'm pretty sure it would work.
    • asnailmailer 3 Feb 17:35
      it is incowrimo time and only very few people are tempting me
    • lamarax 31 Jan 21:34
      Try black coffee. No sugar.
    • T.D. Rabbit 31 Jan 8:11
      Coffee is too light to write with though I've tried.
    • Astronymus 29 Jan 21:46
      You can use coffee and all other kinds of fluid with a glas pen. 😉
    • Roger Zhao 29 Jan 14:37
      chocolate is yummy
    • Bucefalo 17 Jan 9:59
      anyone sells vacumatic push button shafts
    • stxrling 13 Jan 1:25
      Are there any threads or posts up yet about the California Pen Show in February, does anyone know?
    • lamarax 10 Jan 20:27
      Putting coffee in a fountain pen is far more dangerous
    • asnailmailer 9 Jan 0:09
      Don't drink the ink
    • zug zug 8 Jan 16:48
      Coffee inks or coffee, the drink? Both are yummy though.
    • LandyVlad 8 Jan 5:37
      I hear the price of coffee is going up. WHich is bad because I like coffee.
    • asnailmailer 6 Jan 14:43
      time for a nice cup of tea
    • Just J 25 Dec 1:57
      @liauyat re editing profile: At forum page top, find the Search panel. Just above that you should see your user name with a tiny down arrow [🔽] alongside. Click that & scroll down to CONTENT, & under that, Profile. Click that, & edit 'til thy heart's content!
    • liapuyat 12 Dec 12:20
      I can't seem to edit my profile, which is years out of date, because I've only returned to FPN again recently. How do you fix it?
    • mattaw 5 Dec 14:25
      @lantanagal did you do anything to fix that? I get that page every time I try to go to edit my profile...
    • Penguincollector 30 Nov 19:14
      Super excited to go check out the PDX Pen Bazaar today. I volunteered to help set up tables. It should be super fun, followed by Xmas tree shopping. 😁
    • niuben 30 Nov 10:41
      @Nurse Ratchet
    • Nurse Ratchet 30 Nov 2:49
      Newbie here!!! Helloall
    • Emes 25 Nov 23:31
      jew
    • Misfit 9 Nov 2:38
      lantanagal, I’ve only seen that happen when you put someone on the ignore list. I doubt a friend would do that.
    • lantanagal 7 Nov 19:01
      UPDATE - FIXED NOW Exact message is: Requested page not available! Dear Visitor of the Fountain Pen Nuthouse The page you are requesting to visit is not available to you. You are not authorised to access the requested page. Regards, The FPN Admin Team November 7, 2024
    • lantanagal 7 Nov 18:59
      UPDATE - FIXED NOW Trying to send a pen friend a reply to a message, keep getting an error message to say I don't have access. Anyone any ideas? (tried logging our and back in to no avail)
    • Dr.R 2 Nov 16:58
      Raina’s
    • fireant 2 Nov 1:36
      Fine-have you had a nibmeister look at it?
    • carlos.q 29 Oct 15:19
      @FineFinerFinest: have you seen this thread? https://www.fountainpennetwor...nging-pelikan-nibs/#comments
    • FineFinerFinest 24 Oct 8:52
      No replies required to my complaints about the Pelikan. A friend came to the rescue with some very magnification equipment - with the images thrown to a latge high res screen. Technology is a wonderful thing. Thanks to Mercian for the reply. I had been using the same paper & ink for sometime when the "singing" started. I have a theory but no proof that nibs get damaged when capping the pen. 👍
    • Mercian 22 Oct 22:28
      @FineFinerFinest: sometimes nib-'singing' can be lessened - or even cured - by changing the ink that one is putting through the pen, or the paper that one is using. N.b. *sometimes*. Good luck
    • Bluetaco 22 Oct 22:04
      howdy
    • FineFinerFinest 21 Oct 5:23
      I'm not expecting any replies to my question about the singing Pelikan nib. It seems, from reading the background, that I am not alone. It's a nice pen. It's such a pity Pelikan can't make decent nibs. I have occasionally met users who tell me how wonderful their Pelikan nib is. I've spent enough money to know that not everyone has this experience. I've worked on nibs occasionally over forty years with great success. This one has me beaten. I won't be buying any more Pelikan pens. 👎
    • FineFinerFinest 21 Oct 4:27
      I've had a Pelikan M805 for a couple of years now and cannot get the nib to write without singing. I've worked on dozens of nibs with great success. Ny suggestion about what's going wrong? 😑
    • Bhakt 12 Oct 5:45
      Any feedback in 100th anniversary Mont Blanc green pens?
    • Glens pens 8 Oct 15:08
      @jordierocks94 i happen to have platinum preppy that has wrote like (bleep) since i bought it my second pen....is that something you would wish to practice on?
    • jordierocks94 4 Oct 6:26
      Hello all - New here. My Art studies have spilled me into the ft pen world where I am happily submerged and floating! I'm looking to repair some cheap pens that are starving for ink yet filled, and eventually get new nibs; and development of repair skills (an even longer learning curve than my art studies - lol). Every hobby needs a hobby, eh ...
    • The_Beginner 18 Sept 23:35
      horse notebooks if you search the title should still appear though it wont show you in your proflie
    • Jayme Brener 16 Sept 22:21
      Hi, guys. I wonder if somebody knows who manufactured the Coro fountain pens.
    • TheHorseNotebooks 16 Sept 13:11
      Hello, it's been ages for me since I was here last time. I had a post (http://www.fountainpennetwork...-notebooks/?view=getnewpost) but I see that it is no longer accessible. Is there anyway to retrieve that one?
    • Refujio Rodriguez 16 Sept 5:39
      I have a match stick simplomatic with a weidlich nib. Does anyone know anything about this pen?
    • The_Beginner 15 Sept 16:11
      dusty yes, glen welcome
    • Glens pens 11 Sept 1:22
      Hello, Im new to FPN I'm so happy to find other foutain penattics. collecting almost one year ,thought I would say hello to everyone.
    • DustyBin 8 Sept 14:34
      I haven't been here for ages... do I take it that private sales are no longer allowed? Also used to be a great place to sell and buy some great pens
    • Sailor Kenshin 1 Sept 12:37
      Lol…
    • JungleJim 1 Sept 1:55
      Perhaps it's like saying Beetlejuice 3 times to get that person to appear, though with @Sailor Kenshin you only have to say it twice?
    • Sailor Kenshin 31 Aug 21:06
      ?
    • Duffy 29 Aug 19:31
      @Sailor Kenshin @Sailor Kenshin
    • Seney724 26 Aug 22:07
    • Diablo 26 Aug 22:05
      Thank you so much, Seney724. I really appreciate your help!
    • Seney724 26 Aug 21:43
      I have no ties or relationship. Just a very happy customer. He is a very experienced Montblanc expert.
    • Seney724 26 Aug 21:42
      I strongly recommend Kirk Speer at https://www.penrealm.com/
    • Diablo 26 Aug 21:35
      @Seney724. The pen was recently disassembled and cleaned, but the nib and feed were not properly inserted into the holder. I'm in Maryland.
    • Diablo 26 Aug 21:32
      @Seney724. The nib section needs to be adjusted properly.
    • Seney724 26 Aug 18:16
      @Diablo. Where are you? What does it need?
    • Diablo 26 Aug 16:58
      Seeking EXPERIENCED, REPUTABLE service/repair for my 149. PLEASE help!!!
    • Penguincollector 19 Aug 19:42
      @Marta Val, reach out to @terim, who runs Peyton Street Pens and is very knowledgeable about Sheaffer pens
    • Marta Val 19 Aug 14:35
      Hello, could someone recommend a reliable venue: on line or brick and mortar in Fairfax, VA or Long Island, NY to purchase the soft parts and a converter to restore my dad's Sheaffer Legacy? please. Thanks a mill.
    • The_Beginner 18 Aug 2:49
      is there a guy who we can message to find a part for us with a given timelimit if so please let me know his name!
    • virtuoso 16 Aug 15:15
      what happene to the new Shaeffer inks?
    • Scribs 14 Aug 17:09
      fatehbajwa, in Writing Instruments, "Fountain Pens + Dip Pens First Stop" ?
    • fatehbajwa 14 Aug 12:17
      Back to FPN after 14 years. First thing I noticed is that I could not see a FS forum. What has changed? 🤔
    • Kika 5 Aug 10:22
      Are there any fountain pen collectors in Qatar?
    • T.D. Rabbit 31 July 18:58
      Ahh okay, thanks!
    • Scribs 29 July 18:51
      @ TDRabbit, even better would be in Creative Expressions area, subform The Write Stuff
    • T.D. Rabbit 29 July 11:40
      Okay, thanks!
    • JungleJim 29 July 0:46
      @T.D. Rabbit Try posting it in the "Chatter Forum". You have to be logged in to see it.
    • T.D. Rabbit 28 July 17:54
      Hello! Is there a thread anywhere 'round here where one can post self-composed poetry? If not, would it be alright if I made one? I searched on google, but to no avail...
    • OldFatDog 26 July 19:41
      I have several Parker Roller Ball & Fiber Tip refills in the original packaging. Where and how do I sell them? The couple that I've opened the ink still flowed when put to paper. Also if a pen would take the foller ball refill then it should take the fiber tip as well? Anyway it's been awhile and I'm want to take my message collection beyond the few pieces that I have... Meaning I don't have a Parker these refills will fit in 🙄
    • RegDiggins 23 July 12:40
      Recently was lucky enough to buy a pristine example of the CF crocodile ball with the gold plating. Then of course I faced the same problem we all have over the years ,of trying to find e refill. Fortunately I discovered one here in the U.K. I wonder if there are other sources which exist in other countries, by the way they were not cheap pen
    • The_Beginner 20 July 20:35
      Hows it going guys i have a code from pen chalet that i wont use for 10% off and it ends aug 31st RC10AUG its 10% off have at it fellas
    • T.D. Rabbit 19 July 9:33
      Somewhat confusing and off-putting ones, as said to me by my very honest friends. I don't have an X account though :<
    • piano 19 July 8:41
      @The Devil Rabbit what kind of? Let’s go to X (twitter) with #inkdoodle #inkdoodleFP
    • Mort639 17 July 1:03
      I have a Conway Stewart Trafalgar set. It was previously owned by actor Russell Crowe and includes a letter from him. Can anyone help me with assessing its value?
    • Sailor Kenshin 15 July 17:41
      There must be a couple of places here to share artworks.
    • T.D. Rabbit 15 July 12:45
      Hullo! I really like making ink doodles, and I'd like to share a few. Anywhere on the site I can do so? Thanks in advance!
    • Sailor Kenshin 6 July 17:58
      Pay It Forward.
    • AndWhoDisguisedAs 6 July 16:59
      where would I post wanting to trade bottle of ink straight up?
    • JungleJim 3 July 16:14
      @Bill Wood-- just look at the message below you that was posted by @PAKMAN. He is a moderator here on the forums.
    • Bill Wood 2 July 14:24
      Just checking on a classified section and where we are with that. Many thanks. Bill
    • PAKMAN 29 June 1:57
      @inky1 The software for the classified stopped working with the forum. So no we don't have a sales section anymore at FPN
    • inky1 28 June 16:49
      I am not sure which is the classifieds section
    • inky1 28 June 16:46
      IIs there a Fountain Pen Sales board anywhere on here?
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...