Stephen King vs. James Patterson: Who Has the Better Writing Method?
Both Stephen King and James Patterson have made a serious amount of money writing books. Stephen King’s estimated net worth is $500-$600 million, while James Patterson’s estimated net worth is a whopping $800 — $900 million.
How the heck did Stephen King make so much money?
He put his amazing talents into creating over 60 novels, countless short stories and massive film/TV adaptations. He still writes every day, and continues to earn from book royalties, backlist sales, movie rights and screenwriting. King states that he still writes for around four hours a day and the rest of the time he reads.
How did James Patterson become so crazy rich?
You know how I always say authors should treat their writing as a business? Well, Patterson is the king of franchises. I’ve read his thrillers and I’ve even taken one of his masterclasses. His books are very distinctive, with lots of unexpected twists. As someone who writes a lot of twists myself, I loved how unapologetic he was about it, stating that his books are for entertainment, not to be factually accurate or totally down to earth. From Alex Cross to Women’s Murder Club, he churns out book after book with the help of co-writers. He’s a master of branding — kids books, thrillers, even romance. He’s topped the Forbes’ highest paid author list for years. He once signed a $150 million deal with Hachette and he’s sold more books than most entire publishing houses.
So, naturally, we look at them both and think, If I could just follow their routine, maybe I’d finally finish my book… and buy myself a nice new house.
But here’s the problem: Stephen King and James Patterson’s writing methods couldn’t be more different. So what do you do?
Stephen King is the patron saint of seat-of-your-pants writing. The man wakes up, grabs a coffee, and aims to write 2,000 words a day. No outline. No roadmap. Just sits his backside in the chair and gets on with it.
James Patterson, on the other hand, outlines everything. We’re talking 30 to 50 pages of outline before he types a single line of dialogue. He basically has a structure for his structure!
And yet, they’re both wildly successful.
Team King: Writing With the Door Closed
If you’ve read On Writing (and if you haven’t, grab it now), you know King believes writing is a form of telepathy. He trusts his gut and discovers his stories as he goes. His motto? “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
As an author of dozens of books, I get that. There’s a kind of freedom in showing up to the page with no idea where you’re going. It’s magical. It’s wild. It’s also risky. I tried it once and painted myself into a corner. I couldn’t work out how to resolve the story given the direction that it was taking. I ended up having to rewrite the book and ditch thirty thousand words.
Still, for King, that messy magic is where the story lives. If you’re someone who thrives on discovery, on following characters down dark alleys just to see what they’ll do… King might be your guy to emulate.
King’s Core Principles:
Daily Word Count: King famously aims for 2,000 words a day, every day, including holidays. He believes consistency is key to keeping the story fresh in his mind.
“Shut the Door”: He advocates for creating a dedicated, distraction-free writing space. When the door is shut, it’s time to work, and the outside world fades away.
Organic Discovery: Instead of outlining extensively, King starts with a “what if” scenario and lets the characters and plot unfold naturally. He compares finding a story to unearthing a fossil — it’s already there, you just have to dig it out.
Read a Lot, Write a Lot: King is a voracious reader, believing that good writers are also good readers. He absorbs techniques and styles from others, consciously and unconsciously.
First Drafts are for Discovery: He emphasizes getting the first draft down quickly, without worrying too much about perfection. Revision is where the magic happens.
The Strengths of King’s Method
Deep Immersion: This approach allows for incredibly rich character development and a sense of organic discovery for the writer, which often translates to the reader.
Authenticity: Stories can feel more alive and less constrained by a rigid plan.
Flow State: The daily routine and focus can help writers achieve a deep “flow” state, where words pour onto the page. It’s more about the art of creativity.
Unpredictability: Many King fans (including me) love the unpredictability of his stories, which comes from writing organically.
The Potential Downsides:
Getting Lost: Without an outline, it’s possible to wander, leading to rewrites or even abandoned projects. King has admitted abandoning projects in the past because the ending just wouldn’t work.
Slower Output: While King is prolific, his method is generally less about sheer volume of finished manuscripts per year compared to Patterson.
Team Patterson: Plot it or Forget it
Now let’s talk about the other side of the ring. James Patterson outlines like his life depends on it. His outlines are practically short novels in themselves.
As I said, he treats writing like a business. Everything is planned. Tight chapters. Clear hooks. He doesn’t leave anything to chance. It’s efficient. It’s productive. It can also suck the magic out of the beautiful, wild unpredictable world of writing where your story takes you.
But if you’re someone who loves a plan, who gets hives thinking about sitting down with a blank page and no map, then Patterson’s your man. And to be fair, he talks a lot about his passion for writing, and keeping that passion alive.
Patterson now also works with co-authors. His job is to provide the blueprint. The heavy lifting. Then someone else comes in and fleshes it out. They usually get paid a one off fee and he takes the subsequent royalties. But he’s got a huge audience of voracious readers who will buy anything he puts his name on. And as far as I know, he always lists the name of the author working with him. When it comes to ghostwriting, the writers are rarely listed. The celebrities who are approached to publish a book to begin with often take the credit for the work. Patterson credits his co-authors, and they gets some amazing exposure as a result.
Patterson’s Core Principles:
Detailed Outlines: Patterson begins with incredibly detailed outlines, often 50–80 pages long, that map out every plot point, character arc, and major twist. He considers the outline to be the book itself.
Co-Authorship Model: This is perhaps his most distinctive feature. Patterson works with a team of co-authors who take his detailed outlines and flesh them out into full manuscripts. He then reviews, edits, and refines the drafts.
Focus on Pacing and Hooks: His method keeps the reader engaged, with short chapters and cliffhangers designed to propel the story forward.
High Output: This systematic approach allows Patterson to release a remarkable number of books each year across various series and genres.
Brand Consistency: Despite multiple co-authors, Patterson maintains a consistent brand and style across his vast bibliography.
The Strengths of Patterson’s Method:
Incredible Efficiency: The division of labor and detailed planning lead to a highly productive system.
Consistent Quality (for his target audience): Readers know what to expect from a “Patterson” book: a fast, engaging read with lots of twists and turns.
Reduced Writer’s Block: With a clear roadmap, there’s less room for getting stuck on what happens next.
Scalability: This model allows for an unprecedented volume of work.
The Potential Downsides:
Less Organic Discovery: The story is largely set before the prose is written, potentially limiting spontaneous creative detours.
Authorial Voice: Some critics argue that the co-authorship model can dilute a singular authorial voice, though Patterson’s fans clearly don’t mind.
Focus on Plot Over Prose: While effective, the emphasis is heavily on plot mechanics and pacing, sometimes at the expense of more spontaneous prose.
Logistics: Logistically, it’s not feasible for a new author to scale such a big business without growing their own brand name first.
What Wins: Stephen King vs. James Patterson Writing Method?
Honestly? Neither.
Because the better writing method isn’t their method. It’s the one that works for you.
Some writers need structure. Others need spontaneity. Some (like me) need a structure that allows for spontaneity or a complete change.
As an ex-detective, I appreciate the planning and structural integrity that underpins Patterson’s approach. In police work, an airtight plan and clear objectives are paramount. However, as a writer, I also understand the magic of King’s organic discovery, where characters surprise you and the story takes unexpected turns. I love it when this happens. It’s magical.
Many successful authors, myself included, often employ a hybrid approach. We outline enough to have a roadmap but leave room for discovery and character-led detours. We might set daily word count goals but allow for flexibility when inspiration strikes, or when life gets in the way.
What This Means for You
If you’ve been stuck trying to force yourself to write like Stephen King when your brain craves bullet points… stop. If you’ve been outlining like a machine and wondering why you feel creatively dead inside… stop.
Hun, you don’t have to pick a side. You just have to start.
Try both. See what sticks. Mix and match. And if you want a little help, that’s where Brave the Pagecomes in. It’s the motivational six step system I created to help writers like you find your own way — without the burnout, the fear, or the false starts. Today, it’s on a 24 hour flash sale. Let me help you write the book you’ve always wanted, today.
Because at the end of the day, the best writing routine is the one that gets your book finished.
And hey, if it leads to a new house? Even better.
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Find out what happened when I tried Stephen King’s writing routine for 30 days.
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What do you prefer? The Stephen King vs James Patterson writing method? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment. Or check out my newest book.
