5 of 17

Write now Article Tools

One of the most profound pieces of information imparted by Stephen King in his "On Writing" is also one of the most obvious: start writing. If you've started writing: keep writing. Although employing a biographical framework, King makes his point a universal one - you cannot be a writer if you do not write. And you cannot be a writer if you do not read the words that others write.

King does not claim to be a genius, nor does he claim that writing always comes easy. The book is filled with anecdotal examples, from Joyce to Grisham, of authors who struggled with that enemy of the novice and the bestselling author alike, the blank page. Yet, King emphasizes, there are ways to beat that enemy. Setting oneself a writing goal (perhaps a certain number of pages per day) can ease the dread of the blank page, and is a writer's "practice", in the same way that a football player or a musician needs to practice.

The operative word is perseverance. Perseverance in writing, in rewriting, in researching, in presenting and in submitting. King knows of what he speaks when he reminds the reader that there may be a lot of rejections before there will be any acceptances. His own spike in the wall, supporting the weight of dozens of rejection letters, attests to this. For the beginning writer, this seemingly doleful prophecy is actually quite encouraging. If King, a bestselling author, was himself often refused, there is no shame in that. The only shame is in not trying again.

King's "On Writing" is invaluable to not only the novice, but to the struggling writer who sometimes wonders if it is all worth it. It reminds readers that writing is, as King puts it, "magic."

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Beasley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Book reviews: On Writing, by Stephen King?
We want to hear your view. Write now!