On Writing, Post 5: Overall Thoughts on the Novel

I absolutely loved this book. An expectation I had was that it would be boring (considering it is basically writing lessons). Boy, was I wrong. Stephen King has a wonderful personality, and quite the sense of humor. (I disrupted my whole house, laughing, when he says "That makes two of us, Mom." on page 25.) Moreover, I rather expected a scarier man than King turned out to be due to his genre of choice: horror. But, his lightness in describing his encounters with evil babysitters, rejections, teachers, and, most of all, writing turned this book into a page turner. I'm so happy this was an assigned book, because I doubt I'd have found it otherwise. I'm glad to have read it and have no doubt I'll remember much of what he said the next time I'm writing a story (or essay!).

On Writing, Post 4: How I Can Learn From King's Novel

Stephen King has been writing for years. He's much older than I and has been writing since he was much younger than I. I love the fact that he wrote this book because he's passing on his tricks of the trade to this generation of writers and we probably need it. Having been the first generation to grow up on the internet and TV, our experiences are way different than King's--including that most of us probably chose to waste our Saturdays watching cartoons for as much time as King spent writing a series for his brother's magazine. Having read experiences of King when he was younger than I, I certainly feel that I haven't lived up to my potential thus far. Here's hoping I can fix that.

On Writing, Post 3: A Common Trait

Throughout all of King's life, I learned, he wrote. Starting from early early childhood, he wrote. His stories may have started out childish, but they evolved into some of the most well-known works in history. The writing got him through his life, and I don't just mean as a source of income. From the time he was young, when he was bored, he wrote; when he had an idea, he wrote; when he had spare time, he wrote. He dedicated himself to a passion that ended up paying off. His writing got him through great struggles (with help from his loyal family) and easy times (through giving him something to love). I hope I can find something as truly life changing for myself as King did for himself.

On Writing, Post 2: A Dark Age

Stephen King was a smoker, drinker, and drug addict at some point in his life. But these dark days helped him become a better writer, still. Some of his best works were written during this time. I'm amazed that he was able to come out of such a dark time to become the creative and unique person I saw come alive on the page as he described his life's tales. His family support, no doubt held much of the weight of getting past his addiction. But I know that it takes a lot of willpower and fighting to get past addiction. I'm extremely impressed by his work.

On Writing, Post 1: Success

King's success came in many ways, just as mine will, and everyone's does. Starting off with his mother's smile as the only reward he got from writing, that is the happiest moment of success King says he's had. But, as he developed more of a sense for writing, he wrote in to magazines, wrote novels (and sold them at his school), and eventually wrote novels for the big time. But, success is not something to be taken lightly: it is something earned through hard work and dedication. There was a time in King's life when he had about three hours of sleep some days because he'd work before school and after school. It wasn't for frivolous reasons, either. It was for the purpose of going to college. He was working hard to further his ability to work hard in the future. I truly admire this.