June 24, 2004
"On Writing" by Stephen King
I like to write stories. I like to create story boards. I like to draw comics. I'm absolutly fascinated with creating a world of my own, people of my own, and telling their stories as I see them. The sad thing is, I'm never sure how to go about doing it. I'm always telling myself "You don't know where to start, so why bother," or "You'll just suck at it anyway, so don't try." I do that with my art work as well...I lack any confidence in my abilities what so ever. Even the very insinuation that I even have any abilities sends me scurrying to hide under the covers...
I always did well in art classes. I know I'm a creative person, that's a certainty. However being a creative person with talent is very different. *laughs* Even when my art teacher would scold me for tearing up pictures or trying to draw everything perfect, I would get upset and fusterated...His favorite thing to say to me was "Shalaney, you're not a camara. Don't try so hard." It's the same with writing. I can't even count the stories I've abandoned because I feel utterly stupid writing them. I was never imaginative enough, wordy enough, descriptive enough, or they were repetivitive, dull, poorly thought out...I can go on and on and on...So I gave them all up and ignore the stories I want to tell because I feel like I can't do it...
And maybe I can't...but I want to try...
So how does one write a story? Honestly, I have no clue, but I found a nifty book the other day that I think everyone who likes to write should read. It's called "On Writing," by Stephen King. I heard about this book while surfing some websites and thought I'd give it a read. I was pleasantly surprised! I like to think of it as more of an "advice" book than a "teaching" book, though I think King has really nailed some of the more elusive elements of writing that are often bogged down by textbook lingo. When I read the pages, I feel inspired, confident, and challenged.
The book starts out as a memoir to his early days and how he became an author. He talks about his learning experiences and the things that shaped him into the novelist he is today. It's entertaing and quick witted, written in his own "Stephen King" style.
In later chapters, he starts to talk about elements of writing, beginning with grammer and then moving on to plot and character development as well as dialogue. It's not boring. Not in the least. His explanations are so clear it makes me wonder "Why didn't I see that before." It also makes me wonder why text books make things so difficult. Not that writing is easy, but everyone here has picked up a literature book or grammer book. We all know how tedious this tomes are to pick through. I think they make great door stoppers, personally.
Some of my favorite pieces of advice from King's book are:
"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others:read and write a lot."
"The other piece of advice I want to give you is, adverbs are not your friend."
"The situation comes first. Characters, alway flat and unfeatured to begin with, come next. Once these things are fixed in my mind, I begin to narrate. I often have an idea of what the outcome may be, but I never demand a set of characters to do things my way. On the contrary, I want them to do things their way. In some instances, the outcome is what I visulized. In most cases, however, it's something I never expected."
"I distrust plot for two reasons: first, because our lives are largly plotless, even when you add in all our reasonable percautions and careful planning; second, because I believe plotting and the sponteniety of real creation aren't compatible. It's best I be as clear on this as I can-I want you to understand that my basic belief about the making of stories is that stories make themselves."
"Stories are relics, part of an undiscovered, pre-existing world. It's the writers job to use the tools in his/her toolbox to get as much of each one out of the ground intact as possible."
Honestly, this is just the tip of the ice berg. The information and helpful advice King gives through out this book is inspiring. He cleared up many of my questions on dialogue, plot, and character development. I realized than a large portion of my problem is I am a control freak, so afraid of making mistakes and being imperfect that I don't let things develop on their own. Hmmm, I believe that's exactly what my art teacher was telling me...*laughs* I understand more about description and and grammer usage. I feel a bit more liberated with my pen and more confident in my abilities, armed with this new knowledge.
Writers, I strongly recommend you to read this book. Even if you aren't a fan of Kings books (which I am not...I'm too chicken to read scary stories). It's incredibly helpful and encouraging!
ISBN: 0-671-02425-6
Finally, thank you Mr. King, for writing a book that teaches, advises, and inspires people instead of boring them to death or frightening them with long, tedious texts and rules!
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On another note:
I'm having an issue with volume 3 of Get Backers....if anyone happens to know the orginal text from the Japanese novel in regards to Shido's comment about Kazuki being a "bitch" and "having HER fight Ginji", I'd like to see it...I'm half tempted to buy the orginal, just so I can see it....
At risk of sounding like one of the Otaku nutballs I loath so much (the word otaku here in the US, for those that don't know, has come to mean crazed, purist anime/manga fans who hate everything translated into English), I have a severe issue with Kazuki being called a girl...since Kazuki is, in fact, a guy, who looks just like a girl...Perhaps it is just a mis-interpretation or an accident...I'll give Tokyopop the benifit of the doubt, but the wording sounded completely deliberate, and I'll be pissed if they change Kazuki's character into a girl...majorly pissed...All jokes at Kazuki's effeminent expense will be rendered completely useless, not to mention, his "story" will make no sense what so ever if TP makes him a woman...If that happens, I'll be buying the JP volumes of this manga for sure.
