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5/5/2018 0 Comments

STEPHEN KING - BEHIND THE PEN

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    ​Our surroundings make us who we are - and often inspire creativity in our lives. Stephen King is the perfect example of taking his environment and experiences and twisting them into grandiose images and tales that leaves his audience speechless. Although his vivid expressions may be more on the grotesque or frightening side, as were his intentions, he is quite a remarkable man! Here are some of his methods to his “madness” that we can take to heart: 

    1. Pay attention to the world around you - Your surroundings provide a plethora of ideas and inspiration just waiting to knock on your mind.  Stephen King used many things in his life to create his stories. In Cujo, he used his experiences with a mean dog he encountered and a car that he and his wife bought that was having trouble running. He put the two together and got a riveting story.
    2. Our surroundings make us who we are - and often inspire creativity in our lives. Stephen King is the perfect example of taking his environment and experiences and twisting them into grandiose images and tales that leaves his audience speechless. Although his vivid expressions may be more on the grotesque or frightening side, as were his intentions, he is quite a remarkable man! Here are some of his methods to his “madness” that we can take to heart:
    3. Using inspiration from other stories is okay - Stephen King was very much into movies and books. He began reading adult books as a teenager. Many of his ideas are twisted off from other movies and books. Adding your own flair is not prohibited - provided you don’t use the exact same thing. You can stem from the characteristics and features a troll may have in Tolkien's novels, but provided they don’t look or act the exact same way, you’ve just made your own creation!
    4. You can have a life as a writer - Contrary to previous beliefs, you can write, have a family and do things you enjoy. Stephen King edited while watching the Red Sox play at Fennway Park. Writing doesn’t have to consume every second of your life - in fact, that is unhealthy for you and your relationships. Yes, your work may be the only thing on your mind for many days, months or even years - As a true writer, this is inevitable. But, if the idea of locking yourself in a basement every day to work is keeping you from writing, kick that thought in the butt now.
    5. Don’t let life stop you from writing - King was being interviewed while he was still recovering from being hit by a van. He never just stopped his dream because life got in the way. No matter what publishers, friends or even strangers say, never stop writing and improving. Until that offer is made and you can no longer make those long-night edits to words that were probably fine to begin with, keep writing. Obviously, don’t write your life away, but don’t let your insecurities or unfortunate events keep you from pursuing that dream, that idea, that inspiration. Someone is counting on that work - perhaps someone needs to hear what you have to say or learn something from your main character.
    6. Hook them in the beginning - Many authors do this - not just King. Although King is phenomenal with his fatherless main character in Pet Sematary or his terror-stricken character in IT. Both keep the character already relatable or the reader enthralled in what happens next.
    ​
    Strong words that get right to the point are key. King is a genius with his word use and eye-widening tension. Just reading one of his rewarding novels will enrich writers with riveting ideas. The best medicine is learning from the greats - and Stephen King is one such individual.

    Citations:

    Lehmann-Haupt, Christopher, and Nathaniel Rich. “Stephen King, The Art of Fiction No. 189.” The Paris Review, 27 Nov. 2018, www.theparisreview.org/interviews/5653/stephen-king-the-art-of-fiction-no-189-stephen-king. ​

    “Stephen King's 20 Rules for Writers.” Open Culture, www.openculture.com/2018/10/stephen-kings-20-rules-writers.html.

    “Chapter 1. After the Flood (1957)” IT, by STEPHEN KING, SCRIBNER, 2019.

    “Chapter 1.” Pet Sematary, by Stephen King, Sperling & Kupfer, 2016
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