"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.