Writing with the door closed

by Ewan Ashford
6th March 2015

The title is the method Stephen King recommends in his book "On Writing". Now, I really like this but sometimes I really want to ask someone their opinion on an idea or plot point before I've written it. Is this a bad idea? It feels like I'm "writing with the door closed but occasionally peeking out and asking someone what they think". Perhaps having a previous career in Marketing has conditioned me to do this. Any advice is appreciated!

Replies

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Profile picture for user ewanashf_34970
Ewan
Ashford
270 points
Developing your craft
Short stories
Fiction
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Business, Management and Education
Gothic and Horror
Ewan Ashford
07/03/2015

I like the door to be closed, so I'm not interrupted, but I do open it and go and brainstorm with my best muse - my wife. So many times I get hung up on a small plot point or a dialogue issue, or sometimes just the correct word! Asking and getting feedback, however small, helps me avoid staring at my screen for ages, feeling like I'm no good at this...

Profile picture for user jeff4ric_37323
Jeff
Richards
330 points
Practical publishing
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Historical
Romance
Jeff Richards
07/03/2015

I enjoyed On Writing, too.

One of the learning points I took from it: if you're going to do what bears do in the woods, take some paper with you.

Or learn what poison ivy looks like.

You don't have to write to benefit from that little nugget.

Profile picture for user KatyW_
Katy
W
270 points
Ready to publish
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Historical
Speculative Fiction
Katy W
06/03/2015