On Writing

Seriously, if I want to be a writer I REALLY should learn to spell writing/writer correctly. I keep trying to spell it w-r-i-t-t-i-n-g/w-r-i-t-t-e-r. stupid really. Anyways, rant over.

I actually did work on my story today. I'm just updating this blog because, if there are other writers out there (ones that can actually spell writer) I have recently found an amazing book about writing that I absolutely love! It's called On Writing by Stephen King.

I actually have not read any of Stephen King's works before, as they (from what I hear at least) really are not my style. But I came across this book from a blog I had googled saying "Books every writer must read." and while Stephen King says that at the top of that list is Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White, I would say if that's the number one must read (I am in the process of acquiring it and have yet to read it though I plan to) On Writing is number two.

On Writing starts off with a lot of glimpses into the life of the young Steven King and events that either 1- humorously teach a truth about a rule of writing or 2- made him who he is today. This part was very enlightening to read, the most humorous of which, in my opinion, is when after relating to us a story about how his brother magnetically charged a nail and wrapped it in a lamp cord and plugged the cord in, effectively blowing the transmitter on the block, that it would not hurt anyone who considers himself/herself to be a writer to wrap their TV cord around a magnetized nail and plug it into the wall.

This was very encouraging/funny to read because my husband and I can't afford cable. So while I have a monitor that plays DVD's and COULD hook up to an outlet, we effectively only watch TV when visiting mom's/dad's/grandma's/aunts... you get the picture. Stephen King says that the skill/talent of a writer is directly in proportion to how little the so-called writer watches TV. With this truth, I'm SURE to hit top selling status...someday at least. It also makes me want to keep it to where we have no TV even if we can someday afford it. I've never really been big TV watcher as it is.

Also, other highlights of On Writing include Stephen King's illustration of the "writer's toolbox."

I actually have yet to finish this book, but if you are a young writer, I highly advise reading this book. It's almost like being in a private lesson with Stephen King himself. As I said before, I've never read any of his works, but I like him quite a bit thanks to this book.

Also, a slight rant. Because Stephen King says that there are reasons to give up working on a manuscript, but difficulty of any kind is not one of them (mentally, physically, technically, ect)... Well.. it looks like I will be re-typing out 80 pages because I must continue on with Liliana's Story also. And due to moving computers at some point, and files being lost... I don't have the first 80 pages on electronical-copies. So, I must retype those 80 pages before I begin continuing the story. NOT something I'm looking forward to.

Will let you know what I think of Elements of Style after I've read it.