I tried Steinbeck’s 6 rules for writing & they transformed my writing

Summary

The video presents John Steinbeck’s writing advice as a practical set of habits for making progress, handling self-doubt, and telling effective stories. The narrator tries several of the ideas and says that journaling, writing with a physical limit, and experimenting with poetry helped her focus and feel more creative.

Main lessons and practices

• Write freely before you edit. Steinbeck reportedly sharpened at least 24 pencils before writing by hand, moving to a fresh pencil whenever one became dull and stopping after using them all. The ritual encouraged him to keep writing rather than interrupt himself to revise. His broader advice was to save editing for later, since polishing a draft too soon can disrupt momentum. The narrator found the pencil routine a playful way to set a writing session and build a daily habit.

• Prepare by writing out your thoughts. Steinbeck wrote in a diary or notebook before beginning his main work. Sometimes, he used a page to write a letter to his editor, putting his worries and thoughts about the process into words. The narrator found that noting her worries before working helped reduce distractions. A writer’s diary can also track workdays, progress, and how each session went.

• Focus on small, regular progress. Rather than fixating on finishing an entire book, Steinbeck advised writing a page each day. Consistency matters more than waiting for perfect discipline or inspiration. His diary records frustration with procrastination and lapses in concentration, showing that even a successful writer struggled to maintain a routine.

• Forget the imagined crowd. Steinbeck argued that an anonymous audience can be intimidating because it is not a specific, real reader. Instead, picture one person—real or fictional—and write for them. The narrator also cautions against chasing trends or trying to guess what editors and audiences want. Steinbeck’s attempt to write a marketable werewolf mystery was rejected, illustrating the risks of moving away from one’s own interests.

• Aim to tell an effective story, not follow a formula. The video’s central account of Steinbeck’s storytelling principle is that a story should convey something meaningful from author to reader. There is no universal recipe for doing this. Before drafting, try reducing the story to one sentence that captures its central idea. The video connects this principle to East of Eden, which Steinbeck described as a way of telling his sons a story about good and evil.

• Use poetry and research to get unstuck. Steinbeck recommended writing poems that are not intended for sale or even for anyone else to read. He described poetry as practice and a way to release anxiety. The narrator says that trying poetry felt relaxing and sparked her creativity. Steinbeck also drew on subjects he cared about, researched them deeply, and chose topics connected to his own life. The video cites his research for East of Eden and his interest in the King Arthur stories as examples.

• Move past difficult scenes, and be willing to cut. If a scene or chapter is not coming together but you want to keep writing, skip it and continue elsewhere. You can return to it later; the difficulty may indicate that the section does not belong. Be especially cautious about scenes that seem disproportionately important or precious, as they may not fit the larger work. The narrator describes moving beyond a first chapter she wanted to perfect as a breakthrough. The video links this to “killing your pets”—removing material you like when it does not serve the story.

• Read dialogue aloud. Speaking dialogue while writing or revising can reveal whether it sounds natural or stiff. The same test can help identify awkward sentences.

• Expect rejection and keep going. Steinbeck faced poor evaluations and many rejections, including for early novels, yet continued writing. The video emphasizes that becoming a writer takes time and does not necessarily get easier. Persistence and learning to express yourself matter even when success is uncertain.

Speakers and sources featured

• MariWriting narrator: Presents the video, describes trying Steinbeck’s advice, and includes a Skillshare sponsorship.
• John Steinbeck: The principal source of the writing advice, quoted through statements attributed to his diary, letters, and comments to other writers, as well as references to East of Eden.
• Other people and sources mentioned: Playwright Bob Anderson; Ernest Hemingway; Stephen King; Thomas Malory; Steinbeck’s college creative-writing teacher; and Skillshare course instructors Dan and Lu. They are referenced in the video but are not presented as additional speakers in the subtitles.