Stephen King and My Journalistic Future

At a Glance



Who: Alethea Skinner
What: Commenting on Stephen King's book "On Writing"


This week I felt the need to hide a book I was reading--for the first time in my adult life. That was my experience when I took Stephen King with me to the Grandparent's Day celebration at Jefferson Elementary School.

One grandparent and at least one teacher commented about the author, his style of writing and whether or not they would be caught in public with one of his books. Others just looked at me with a quizzical expression.

"I read one of his books; it was awful," a grandma said.

"It's a book on writing I am reading for my class," I hastened to assure her, showing her the title and explaining my position on the language content.

"Oh!" was her only comment, but she eyed me with a raised eyebrow.

How embarrassing!

Well, King seems to have a bad reputation for scaring people and for foul language. Still, there are things I have learned from reading between the words (and omitting a lot of them).

That is what I will share.

Throughout his book, in the midst of all of the stories, King actually provides aspiring great writers with valuable knowledge about the mechanics and subtleties of perfecting the craft.

For instance, he said he believed"large numbers of people have at least some talent as writers and storytellers, and that those talents can be strengthened and sharpened." While it seems an insignificant tidbit, for someone who is struggling and filled with self-doubt, it is a major encourager.

I believe I have "at least some talent" as a writer and storyteller.

There were times I have wondered about story ideas--where you get them, the source of a writer's inspiration. According to King, story ideas come from various places, rather than an "Idea Dump" or "Story Central." Rather than trying to find story ideas, the key is learning to recognize the ideas when they appear.

I had better do more watching then.

I have actually found King's "-isms" are very helpful. I particularly liked his comments about the basic unit of writing being the paragraph rather than the sentence. He says it is "the place where coherence begins and words stand a chance of becoming more than mere words."

Not only have I found that to be true, I have seen it happen (without comprehending it) in my own writing.

"You must learn to use it well if you are to write well," King says.

In the middle of this book, however, I found what is probably the most important thing I will take into my journalistic future: "good writing consists of mastering the fundamentals (vocabulary, grammar, the elements of style) and then filling the third level of your toolbox with the right instruments" and this: while there are impossibilities when it comes to different levels of writers, it is possible, "with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one."

It is my hope that I am at least a "competent" writer, and that the help gained in my classes and from this book are "timely." I am dedicated and am committed to the hard work portion.

I want to become a good writer.

I also realize, again, that somehow I have to do more reading. I don't even know where to find the time, or what is worth reading! I used to read National Graphic, Times, US News for the flow of the words, the rhythm of it, not just for the news it contained. It was the same with GRIT magazine.

But, you have to read a lot in order to develop your own style. King says you can read "listen" as you drive. Never thought of doing that. Somehow, I imagined that the things I learn about writing would be lost.

I learn a lot from seeing where paragraphs are formed--seeing the mechanics.

Still, the words would be in my brain, and that is part of the process.

Guess I'm going to have to divorce myself from Keith and Chris, and say goodbye to MSNBC. The analogy between my TV watching versus reading and King's son's saxophone practice versus playing for fun was very convincing.

That is how I was about piano as a child; I must do the same with my writing.

I loved his "Ideal Reader." I have one that rides me like a mule but without whom I would never be able to write.

I actually even have a "Tabby" when I need her--my older sister. Oh, she is rough! However, she sees beyond her sister to the writing and does not hesitate to point out the areas that were weak, confusing or whatever. She just isn't close enough to do it often.

So, thank you, Stephen King, for inspiring me to change my bad habits, add to my toolbox and to keep going.

I have miles to go and things to write before I sleep.