Denver Writers Forum: Michael Chabon's Rules of Writing

Michael Chabon has spent decades crafting literary marvels that gleefully dismantle the walls between highbrow prose and genre pulp—from the Pulitzer-winning comic book epic *The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay* to the alternate-history noir of *The Yiddish Policemen’s Union*. Behind the lyrical sentences and sweeping narratives, however, is a disciplined working craftsman who treats storytelling with equal parts reverence, blue-collar grit, and boundless creative joy. Chabon’s advice on the writing life is sharp, funny, and deeply liberating. He rejects the tortured-artist myth in favor of showing up, protecting your focus, and writing the stories you actually love rather than what you think the gatekeepers demand. Whether you’re writing literary fiction, hard-boiled crime, high fantasy, or metaphysical sci-fi, Chabon’s insights offer both a masterclass in craft and a vital jolt of creative courage. Join us for an interactive discussion as we break down Chabon’s core rules of writing—and discover how to bring discipline, joy, and stylistic muscle to your own work. The Lessons We’ll Explore * Discipline Over Inspiration: Chabon famously observes that novel-writing requires three things: talent, luck, and discipline—and discipline is the only one you can control. We’ll look at the power of setting a routine, showing up consistently, and building momentum through habits rather than fleeting bursts of muse.