Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get Busy Writing

By Scott McNeight
April 18, 2009

Stephen King’s On Writing delivers the goods, not only on writing, but on life. King’s book teaches the inspirations, redemptions, and discoveries of becoming a writer to anyone willing to listen. In a semi-autobiographical, instructively philosophical manual of sorts, King gives writers something that most sorely lack: hope. The “cold hard facts” of becoming successful as a writer, and the long, daunting odds (one tenth of one percent of writers are actually self-sustained) overshadow creativity and instill a deep-seated fear of failure. On Writing distills those fears, not by falsifying hope, but by renewing the sense that drives writers to write in the first place―the love of the written word.

King’s voice is strong throughout as he describes what it was like growing up as an artistic youth. As a teenager he impales his rejection slips from literary magazines to a spike nailed into his bedroom wall. Gradually, those rejection slips come with notes: “This is good. Not for us, but good. You have talent. Submit again.” These notes act as a source of inspiration, and King creates a world where failure is seen solely as the impetus for redemption. From living in abject squalor to finding immense wealth, King tells a story of hard work and achievement. We all feel a sense of deliverance as King finally arrives on the scene when his novel, Carrie, sells for four hundred thousand dollars to Doubleday.

On Writing is not simply an autobiography, however. The second half of the book is specifically for us―the writers of the world who struggle to find an outlet for our gift. King gives us an insight into what it takes to succeed, and there is no secret. Success is merely having natural talent and a willingness to get your hands dirty: “I suggest (writing) a thousand words a day…With that goal set, resolve yourself that the door stays closed until that goal is met.” King’s middleclass workman’s mentality belies his incredible achievement and universal acclaim. It is this attitude which makes On Writing accessible to all of us writers out there―he speaks to us and never at us. In that respect, he is just one among many, a writer who still struggles to put words on the page but who never stops until the task is complete.

If you are interested in writing, or about finding out what it takes to become successful in any venture in life, with highlighter in hand, give On Writing a close, honest read, and I guarantee you will be glad that you did.

Scott McNeight is a graduate student at Western Connecticut State University pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Professional Writing. He is also a writing tutor at Dutchess Community College.