On Writing- Final Essay

On Writing by Stephen King

Final Essay

        Writing... That is the key. Writing as often as possible is the key to becoming a good writer. Stephen King expresses this in many aspects in his book On Writing. King uses real life stories and literary examples to show that the best way to become a great writer, is to write. 

        Stephen King begins the book by telling his life experiences. These life experiences show how King evolved into the writer that he is today. He tells of how he began writing in the first grade when he was forced to be at home because he missed too much school due to strep throat and ear infections. (Page 27) This shows that he was, for lack of better terminology, almost born a writer. So what if it was only copying comic strips? At such a young age, most kids are running in circles or playing with toys. King wanted to write.

       As the section goes on, King tells of many other experiences with writing. As a teen, he helped his older brother with his newspaper, Dave’s Rag, and then became the editor of his high school’s newspaper, The Drum. (Page 50) This shows that he continued to love to write though his teen years and kept the interest alive. King wrote about what was important to him. (Even though it may have gotten him in trouble a time or two.)

       King also tells of his many horrifying experiences. King was hit by a truck while on a walking on a vacation and at one point, was addicted to drugs and alcohol. (page 87) These things normally would’ve kept a person from writing, but Stephen King chose to fight through all of this and take these opportunities to write. 

       To me, this book is inspiring because King shows a true love for the art. King is proof and is an example and a role model to know that no matter what I’m going through, I can still write. I can take the situation I’m in and use it to my advantage to better my writing. To become a great writer, I must write as often as possible- no matter what.