Stephen King: On Writing

Stephen King makes some of these points about writing successfully in his book:

• To be a successful writer you need to do two things as a consistent habit:
• Read
• Write
• Find a space of your own to write. Call this space sacred and keep distractions out (make sure it has a door!)
• Write about what you want to write about--but tell the TRUTH (as you see it).
• You will start writing like every other writer in the world by reading and modeling your style on the authors you read.
• Fiction consists of three important parts:
• Narration (moves a story from beginning to end)
• Description (this includes imagery & detail--specific nouns, active verbs, etc.)
• Dialogue (develops character; should push plot along)
• Your job as a writer is like an archeologist trying to dig a fossil out of rock. Sometimes the specimen comes out whole and only needs brushing off. Most of the time it will come out in pieces.
• Base your stories on situations: a speculative idea, for example. Ask yourself "What if...?"; Situations come first. See George Polti's 36 Dramatic Situations!

Class Exercise: In your assigned group (or alone if you are not in a group), please examine Stephen King's short stories and discuss how the author uses narration, description, and dialogue in an effective way. Also: consider how the title adds meaning or points to what is important in the story, and how the author builds suspense by revealing information at certain points to create a larger, more vivid picture for the reader. Consider discussing what surprised you in the stories you read, what passages you thought were effectively written, and examine King's craft. To what conclusion do you come?

Lab Exercise: Use Stephen King's writing exercise as a jumping off point for a story of your own. Read the handout and write the story as he directs you to.

Print out any piece you didn't already print for your portfolio. Portfolios are being collected and are due today!

HOMEWORK: Read Stephen King's collection. Continue to write your story.