On Writing By Stephen King
Writing skills are an important component in the production of popular novels. However, successful writing is dependent on unique styles possessed by the author. These styles are developed by having a passion for writing and personal experiences encountered by the author. Hence, the successful creation of popular books such as On Writing by Stephen King requires adequate knowledge that is based on personal experience. Consequently, the study of the book On Writing by Stephen King is essential in understanding specific writing styles used by a novelist.
In On Writing, the novelist uses his personal experiences to provide a mechanical guide. Through the description of his family, pre-fame experiences and post-fame experiences, the novelist shows young writers how his past managed to shape his passion for writing. For illustration, the author tells how he came to learn of his passion to write as he says, “eventually I showed one of the copycat hybrids to my mother, and she was charmed – I remember her slightly amazed smile, as if she was unable to believe one of her kids could be so smart… I had never seen that look on her face before… and I absolutely loved it” (Spignesi, 2001). This instance creates an urge in the author to write more since someone else had appreciated his work. This urge led the novelist to create an original script on four magical animals that rode in an old car helping out little kids, which was subsequently determined by his mother to be of a good enough quality to be in a book. This instance helped the novelist to become an outstanding author.
The author uses a simple descriptive style to convey his message to the writer. This message is that they should not use complex vocabularies to convey a subject. For instance, the author uses a simple but vivid description to explain his experience during a visit to the otiologist, detailing the experience after the puncturing of his eardrum using the quote “the smooching sound in my head was louder; this time it was giants kissing” (Burak, 2010). This simple but vivid description enables young writers to value simplified but effective description in communicating a message to the reader.
King (2011) uses a lot of humor to speak out to young writers. For example, the novelist says, “Eulah-Beulah was prone to farts – the kind that are both loud and smelly.” Through this style, the author tries to advise young readers by capturing their interest.
In addition, the novelist employs plot in a different style within this book to communicate a unique message to new writers. In the book, the novelist does not adhere strictly to the rules of plot in his narration, but he adopts a haphazard approach in which he communicates various messages to the reader in a unique manner. The application of this style enables young writers to value the benefit of developing unique writing styles in their work to create a suitable novel in the literature industry (Blasingame, Deakinand, Walsh, 2012).
On Writing by Stephen King provides a suitable guide to the development of writing skills through a humor-filled narrative. This novel shows distinctive styles that are used in order for young writers to be familiar with the use of plot, description and personal narration.
References
Blasingame, J., Deakin, K., & Walsh, L. A. (2012). Stephenie Meyer: In the Twilight. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press.
Burak, K. (2010). Writing in the Works. Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
King, S. (2011). 11/22/63: A Novel. New York: Scribner.
Spignesi, S. J. (2001). The Essential Stephen King: A Ranking of the Greatest Novels, Short Stories, Movies, and Other Creations of the World’s Most popular Writer. Franklin, N.J: New Page Books.
