Continuing On: Stephen King On Writing

Stephen King: On Writing Post Ideas

READING: Read On Writing. In your journal, take notes about key or important tips about writing as you read.

Stephen King invites us as readers into his life. He says of his memoir that it is his attempt to "show how one writer was formed...snapshots, most out of focus" (page 4, On Writing). Along the way, he drops some pretty solid advice to young writers. Read for these nuggets of wisdom. You can also gain nuggets of wisdom from watching these short interviews/videos with Stephen King:

Stephen King on "The Outsider"
Stephen King: On Childhood
Stephen King: Top 10 Amazing Facts about Stephen King

WRITING TASK #1: Write a short (200-300 word) scene that involves a specific character involved in a specific conflict. Keep your scene tight--in other words, just focus on the now of the character in the conflict.

For now, just write that scene...you will be adding to this scene in future writing sessions. To get you started, you may use material from your journal as to character, situation, and setting--or choose a similar character and situation from a book you are reading. Don't plagiarize, just borrow the type of character or conflict in the chapter you're on, for example. Change names/details as necessary.

Please keep the draft of your 200-300 word story safe for next week's lesson!

While are not going to read Stephen King's first section of his book On Writing due to length and time. We can still use what he wrote to spur us on to greatness and a bunch of ideas for our own writing.

WRITING TASK #2: In chapter 5 of his book, Stephen King provides writing students with an exercise. He provides a detailed backstory for two characters. Then asks you to alter the story a bit, and write a 6-page story. Do that. Except, instead of 6 pages, write at least 6 paragraphs. [If you want to try the whole 6 pages, feel free to do so!]

Try to add some of the suspense techniques we covered in our last class (see the previous posts for details on how to do this!)

You will turn in this draft in our Google classroom by the end of the marking period. More details and support coming your way! 

Stephen King: On Writing Post Ideas for YOUR blog

BLOG WRITING TASKS: Stephen King invites us as readers into his life. He says of his memoir that it is his attempt to "show how one writer was formed...snapshots, most out of focus" (page 4, On Writing).

For your next few blog posts, you will be asked to reflect on your OWN life as to how YOU were formed. These 'snapshots' will be collected together for your own mini-autobiography/memoir that will be collected on YOUR BLOG as part of your final journal. I will be adding to this list as we continue.

Please use any of the following prompts to write your posts. You may write as many of these as you can or want.

Remember: our goal is to approach writing fluency. You can't get better at writing by avoiding it. Use these prompts to give your ideas a good jumping-off point for your inspiration and reflection. Above all, try to tell as much of the truth as possible. Where you don't recall a detail, it is fine to make something up. Feel free to use dialogue, imagery, or other effective writing techniques to tell your story or communicate your ideas.

PROMPTS (with chapter models from On Writing by Stephen King):

• Chapter One: Write about your earliest memory.
• Chapter One: Write about an injury you suffered when you were young.
• Chapter Two: Write about one of your babysitters (or one of your babysitting jobs, if you'd like)
• Chapter Two: Write about a time when you were sick or violently ill
• Chapter Three: Write about a crazy stunt your brother, sister, or you did
• Chapter Four: Write about your experience or first memory of death (if you can't think of one, ask your parents, or a sibling)
• Chapter Five/Six: Write about getting a childhood sickness (the measles, chickenpox, pneumonia, ear aches, stomach viruses, etc.) or operation (even your first shot at the doctor's office...)
• Chapter Five/Six: Write about a doctor's visit (include some dialogue...)
• Chapter Seven/Eight: Write about your first story you ever wrote
• Chapter Nine: Write about your first crush, kiss, or date
• Chapter Nine: Write about an embarrassing moment (how did you survive?)
• Chapter Ten: Write about one of your siblings (or a friend, if you are an only child)
• Chapter Ten: Write about your first "scientific experiment"; or write about your first experience with a "blackout" or when the electricity (or internet) went out
• Chapter Eleven: Write about a favorite t.v. show when you were growing up
• Chapter Twelve: Write about your first 'rejection'

HOMEWORK: Read Stephen King's On Writing (from the packet you received in school...if you don't have it, there's a copy on our Google Classroom). Begin the writing prompts detailed on this post. Stay safe and healthy!