The Stephen King Solution: Writing Your Way Out of the Middle

You know that feeling. You're 20,000 words into your novel, the initial excitement has worn off, and suddenly you have no idea what happens next. Your protagonist is stuck in a metaphorical (or literal) dark room, and so are you. Welcome to the dreaded "muddy middle," where more writing projects go to die than anywhere else.

But here's the thing: Stephen King doesn't get stuck. Or more accurately, when he does get stuck, he has a system that pushes him through it. And that system is deceptively simple: write 2,000 words every single day. No exceptions. No waiting for inspiration. No "I'll get back to it when I figure out the plot."

Let me show you why this approach works and how you can adapt it to finally finish that story that's been haunting you.

Why We Get Stuck in the Middle

Before we dive into King's solution, let's understand the problem. The middle of a story is where things get complicated because:

The novelty has worn off. That shiny new idea that kept you up at night? You've been living with it for weeks now, and it's lost some of its luster.

The stakes aren't clear yet. You've set up your story, but you haven't reached the climax. You're in this weird transitional space where you're not sure what matters.

You've discovered plot holes. Remember that brilliant setup in chapter three? Yeah, it doesn't actually work with what you planned for chapter fifteen. Now what?

Perfectionism kicks in. You've written enough that you're starting to judge your work more critically, and suddenly nothing feels good enough.

Most writers respond to these challenges by stopping. They wait for clarity. They outline more. They "think things through." And their manuscript sits there, gathering digital dust.

The Power of the Daily Word Count

Stephen King's approach in his memoir On Writing is almost absurdly straightforward: he writes 2,000 words every day, including his birthday and the Fourth of July. When he's drafting, he doesn't stop until he hits that number.

Why does this work so well for overcoming writer's block?

It removes the decision-making burden. You don't wake up and ask "Should I write today?" or "Do I feel inspired?" You just write. The decision has already been made.

It builds unstoppable momentum. At 2,000 words a day, you'll draft an 80,000-word novel in 40 days. When you're moving that fast, you don't have time to get stuck. You're too busy writing to overthink.

It forces you through the bad ideas. Sometimes you need to write the wrong scene to discover the right one. A daily word count means you'll work through those mediocre ideas quickly and get to the good stuff on the other side.

It separates drafting from editing. You can't polish what doesn't exist yet. The daily word count keeps you in creation mode, not critique mode.

Making It Work for You

Now, I can hear some of you saying, "But I'm not Stephen King! I can't write 2,000 words a day!" And you're right—you might not be able to, especially when you're starting out. The good news is, you don't have to copy King's exact number. You need to find your number and commit to it daily.

Here's how to implement this approach:

Start with an honest assessment. Can you write 500 words a day? 1,000? 250? Choose a number that's challenging but achievable. You can always increase it later.

Make it non-negotiable. This is the key. Your word count happens every day, regardless of quality, inspiration, or how busy you are. Treat it like brushing your teeth.

Write before you do anything else. King writes in the mornings. There's wisdom in this—you haven't depleted your willpower yet, and you can't make excuses about running out of time.

Don't edit while drafting. This is crucial. Your internal editor is the enemy of your daily word count. Turn off that part of your brain. You can fix everything in revision.

Track your progress visually. Use a spreadsheet, a wall calendar, or an app. Watching your word count grow is incredibly motivating, and seeing a streak of successful days makes you want to keep it going.

What to Do When You're Really Stuck

Even with a daily word count, you'll hit moments where you genuinely don't know what comes next. Here's what to do:

Write badly on purpose. Give yourself permission to write the worst possible version of the scene. Often, this loosens things up and something good emerges.

Skip ahead. Can't figure out how your character gets from the parking lot to the office? Write "[INSERT TRANSITION]" and jump to the office scene. Keep your momentum.

Have a conversation with your character. Literally interview them in your manuscript. "Hey, Sarah, what do you want to do next?" You might be surprised by what emerges.

Change something small. Add weather. Add another character to the scene. Have someone tell a joke. Sometimes a small shift creates new possibilities.

The key is to keep writing. Your daily word count doesn't care if you're writing brilliant prose or placeholder text. It just cares that you're writing.

The Freedom of Forward Motion

Here's the beautiful paradox: the rigid structure of a daily word count actually creates freedom. When you're committed to forward motion, you stop agonizing over every sentence. You stop questioning whether you're a "real writer." You stop waiting for permission or inspiration or the perfect idea.

You just write. And the middle of your story—that treacherous swamp that's claimed so many manuscripts—becomes just another part of the journey. Not easier, necessarily, but navigable.

Stephen King has published over 60 novels using this approach. You don't need to match his output or his word count. You just need to find your number, commit to it, and trust that consistent daily effort will carry you through the stuck places.

So tomorrow morning, before you check your email or scroll social media or convince yourself you need more coffee first—open your manuscript and start writing. Your future self, standing at the finish line of your completed draft, will thank you.