Stephen King's On Writing finally came to an end. Several times in the book I had to force myself to finish reading, and I first I was reluctant to be a King fan. I still don't think I'd read any of his other books, but this one was worth the time.
I loved his tips on editing your drafts. I know on several occasions I've gone and tried to edit my own work almost immediately writing it. In most circumstances I don't have six months for my draft to sit there and "age", but those few times I don't procrastinate (very, very few) and allow my mind a couple of days to clear, it ends up as my best work.
I didn't relate much to the finding an agent section mostly because right now I'm not aspiring to be a published author. If that ever did turn out to be a dream, I would definitely re-read his advice.
I also agree with the idea of having an I.R. (Ideal reader). I have teachers and peers that I trust to edit anything of mine, and I really value their feedback. That doesn't mean I have to change everything they think needs to be reworded or what not, but I do trust their opinions. I'm glad King agreed to that too.
King's accident showed his perseverance. It's unfortunate that it took such a tragic event to get him past his writer's block, but, in fear of sounding like a Hallmark card, I think it proves what dedication from yourself and support from family and friends can do.
To anyone who ever has to take another English class or simply enjoys writing, go read On Writing. It'll get you thinking, and maybe even inspire you to write the next great novel.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
State of the Union Address
I am not a fan of President Obama or his administration; nevertheless, I wanted to go into this address open minded (a big step for me) and hope that from the results of midterm elections, Obama would realize that America was more moderate and would join us in the middle. He let me down.
This speech was much like his campaign speeches. It was inspirational and positive, and full of what he and his administration thought America wanted to hear. I, however, don't think America needs empty promises and a charismatic leader at this point.
Obama's theme was "Winning back America", and he basically stated that America could win back prosperity and power with the help of the federal government. Doing so would require "investing" more money and putting us in even more debt (because 14 trillion isn't enough). Regardless of how President Obama wants to phrase it, spending anything is not the answer. I disagree 100% with his tactics.
It's true that President Obama was given a crappy economy, but I believe it's his fault that he doesn't know how to deal with it. His inexperience comes to light here, and I think many people that voted him to office are seeing it as a mistake.
Rep. Paul Ryan's response from the GOP wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. He basically said that we don't have money to spend, and that Republicans in the House will have to try to keep it balanced. That was the first time I'd ever hear Ryan speak; I'm still not sure of what I think about him.
This speech was much like his campaign speeches. It was inspirational and positive, and full of what he and his administration thought America wanted to hear. I, however, don't think America needs empty promises and a charismatic leader at this point.
Obama's theme was "Winning back America", and he basically stated that America could win back prosperity and power with the help of the federal government. Doing so would require "investing" more money and putting us in even more debt (because 14 trillion isn't enough). Regardless of how President Obama wants to phrase it, spending anything is not the answer. I disagree 100% with his tactics.
It's true that President Obama was given a crappy economy, but I believe it's his fault that he doesn't know how to deal with it. His inexperience comes to light here, and I think many people that voted him to office are seeing it as a mistake.
Rep. Paul Ryan's response from the GOP wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. He basically said that we don't have money to spend, and that Republicans in the House will have to try to keep it balanced. That was the first time I'd ever hear Ryan speak; I'm still not sure of what I think about him.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tool Box and On Writing
I was surprised to find that the tips in the Toolbox were practical. After reading about his strange experiences growing up, I was expecting his wiriting advice to be "advanced" and what not. But right off the bat I loved his point of not using huge vocabulary words just for the sake of using them; rather, use the first word that comes to mind. We all know people (like half the debate team) that love to show off their extensive vocabularies. In attempt to sound smarter, they sound like tools. It's obnoxious, not to mention. We all learned those Mrs.-Shoemake-words too, buddy.
Speaking of Mrs. Shoemake, I felt that King's section on using active not passive voice was straight from her mouth. I can remember countless days of sitting in her class and hearing her screech, "The subject does the verb!" or receiving an essay that had PASSIVE VOICE written on it. I now try to avoid it at all costs, and agree with King 100% on it.
His examples of starting a story and then telling the reader to go finish was such a neat way to get the reader involved. When he was talking about the young wife stalked by a crazy ex-husband, I really did want to know what happened next. I was even more interested to know what would happen if we switched the characters and had the wife psychotic. Now, I didn't go write the story like he had suggested, but it was a nice idea nonetheless.
These chapters weren't the most interesting I've ever read; in fact, I had to force myself through the last 20 or so pages, but King's tips are definitely something worth listening to and trying, considering his success.
Speaking of Mrs. Shoemake, I felt that King's section on using active not passive voice was straight from her mouth. I can remember countless days of sitting in her class and hearing her screech, "The subject does the verb!" or receiving an essay that had PASSIVE VOICE written on it. I now try to avoid it at all costs, and agree with King 100% on it.
His examples of starting a story and then telling the reader to go finish was such a neat way to get the reader involved. When he was talking about the young wife stalked by a crazy ex-husband, I really did want to know what happened next. I was even more interested to know what would happen if we switched the characters and had the wife psychotic. Now, I didn't go write the story like he had suggested, but it was a nice idea nonetheless.
These chapters weren't the most interesting I've ever read; in fact, I had to force myself through the last 20 or so pages, but King's tips are definitely something worth listening to and trying, considering his success.
Monday, January 17, 2011
"Life isn't a support system for art; it's the other way around."
As a Stephen King newbie, I was skeptical if I would enjoy reading his autobiography. I didn't see the reason why we had to read it in an AP Language class, or how it would benefit us. I still haven't answered those questions, but to my surprise I have loved the book (even if I am only 107 pages in).
When I first began reading I noticed he had written three forewords. "Geez", I thought, "Does he really have that much to say?" I soon realized that yeah, he did, and I wanted to hear all of it. King had accomplished in the first few pages what takes most writers chapters; he had me laughing out loud. I remember sitting in Mrs. Oglesby's class (which is always silent) and laughing audibly to myself. These forewords grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading. This tactic is one all writers, famously published or merely high school students, would profit from using.
His stories may have started as funny, but they soon turned graphic. Sure, that may appeal to some, and heck, some probably think that is funny. I, however, find his crudeness and vulgarity unnecessary and gross.
If you can look past that though, the rest is great. I love the way he describes abstract things by describing physical things. One example is when he's telling the story of how he and his friend would go to movies. By describing his preference of movies, he's really describing himself, and it helped me understand his personality a little better. Plus it's way more iteresting for readers.
I loved his stories of when he was on his high school newspaper staff because I'm on staff here, and I completely understand his dilemma in trying to write interesting things but can't always get them "approved". It was also nice to see that there are staffs more dysfunctional than ours.
The whole beginning of On Writing has been nothing but stories, and I now believe that that's the only way an autobiography should be written. They're not just pages full of boring facts, but adventures and romances and comedies that hook the reader. Already, King has made this a "memoir to the craft", and I'm (surprisingly) anxious to continue reading.
When I first began reading I noticed he had written three forewords. "Geez", I thought, "Does he really have that much to say?" I soon realized that yeah, he did, and I wanted to hear all of it. King had accomplished in the first few pages what takes most writers chapters; he had me laughing out loud. I remember sitting in Mrs. Oglesby's class (which is always silent) and laughing audibly to myself. These forewords grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading. This tactic is one all writers, famously published or merely high school students, would profit from using.
His stories may have started as funny, but they soon turned graphic. Sure, that may appeal to some, and heck, some probably think that is funny. I, however, find his crudeness and vulgarity unnecessary and gross.
If you can look past that though, the rest is great. I love the way he describes abstract things by describing physical things. One example is when he's telling the story of how he and his friend would go to movies. By describing his preference of movies, he's really describing himself, and it helped me understand his personality a little better. Plus it's way more iteresting for readers.
I loved his stories of when he was on his high school newspaper staff because I'm on staff here, and I completely understand his dilemma in trying to write interesting things but can't always get them "approved". It was also nice to see that there are staffs more dysfunctional than ours.
The whole beginning of On Writing has been nothing but stories, and I now believe that that's the only way an autobiography should be written. They're not just pages full of boring facts, but adventures and romances and comedies that hook the reader. Already, King has made this a "memoir to the craft", and I'm (surprisingly) anxious to continue reading.
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