Stephen King: On Writing Introduction; Chapters 1 & 2

Stephen King: Creative Writing

In Stephen King's book On Writing, he has a section called "Toolbox" in which he reminds us that:

• Writers have a figurative "toolbox" just like a carpenter does. We use the tools of our trade to make stuff or fix stuff.
• On the first shelf of the writer's toolbox is: vocabulary. Words. The more words you know or come to know, the better. Some writers use a lot of words, others not as many, but writers have a way of collecting words so they can use them in their writing. You can too!
• Write a short list of your favorite words (try to get at least 10) in your journal. You can also write a post on YOUR BLOG discussing with the world your favorite words and why they are your favorite...
• On the second shelf is grammar. While you are learning this, note that well-constructed sentences can have a lot of power in a story. You have to master enough grammar to communicate your ideas effectively when you write. There's no way around this. Luckily, you're currently in the right place to improve your grammar.
• Write a short sentence that is grammatically correct.  Ex. The cat scratched him.
• Then write a long sentence that is grammatically correct that communicates the same basic information.  Ex. The black and white calico cat reached out her paw without hesitation or provocation and slashed him across the back of the neck, drawing rigged welts of blood in parallel lines, forcing a shrill screech to fill the otherwise quiet and dark basement--then the cat fled back up the stairs, leaving him alone in stinging pain.
• Then write a third time, dividing up your long sentence into a variety of short and long sentences. Ex. The black and white calico cat reached out her paw. Without hesitation or provocation, it slashed him across the back of the neck. The claws drew rigged welts where blood appeared slowing, like peeking from behind a curtain of skin. A forced and shrill screech filled the quiet and dark basement. The cat fled. It scampered back up the stairs. He was alone with his stinging pain.
• And finally, on the third shelf is style. Style includes your use of tenses (present, past, future), POV (1st, 2nd, 3rd), diction (word choice), paragraphs (how long or short they are), sentence length, and, of course, the use of various literary elements and techniques. We'll discuss this more at length later.

Throughout this unit, we will be working with the techniques of suspense. For mystery, suspense, action, and horror writers, this skill is essential. But any writer's story can be improved with the use of suspense. Suspense is used in all good storytelling, no matter the genre. Romance and Science Fiction or Westerns and Fantasy or Comedy or Realistic Fiction and children's literature. Even poetry and plays use suspense. So let's learn how to improve our craft.

Stephen King: Writing is Hypnosis
Stephen King: Writing Process

Suspense: delaying the reader's gratification. The intense feeling (often of anxiety) a reader feels when characters in stories/films, etc. are either in danger, threatened or the outcome of the story is in question. This uncertainty creates a feeling of suspense. The feeling a reader gets is called MOOD. The way the writer uses words (diction) to create that mood is called TONE. Tone is your job as a writer. With the proper tone (say a suspenseful tone) your mysteries, horror, and suspense stories will be more effective.

As writers, we want to make sure our readers ask: what's going to happen to my favorite character in this situation or what will happen because this is happening to my favorite character?

Some ways to create suspense:

• Show (describe) the danger or threat
• Hint at possibilities through your diction (careful word choice) and imagery
• Delay gratification by keeping your reader guessing as to what will happen next
• Use description as a way to break up or slow down the resolution of events
• Use dialogue as a way to break up or distract characters from the resolution of events
• Cut to a different scene--use white space to transition from one scene to another
• Cut to the POV of a different character--this is called parallel action
• Stop the scene before you resolve it--this is often called a cliffhanger

YOUR TASK: Let's begin reading Stephen King's On Writing (his book has 5 parts, you're only reading part 3). As you read, consider your goals as a writer. Consider how a master storyteller like Stephen King can help you achieve your writing goal(s). Take his advice. He's a successful writer and probably has something to teach us. 

We'll read pages 135-150 (chapters 1 & 2) together and stop occasionally to discuss what's important in these chapters.

Stephen King: On Writing Post Ideas

TASK #1: Read On Writing. In your journal, take notes about key or important tips about writing as you read. We will use your notes to help us create class discussions in future classes in this unit.

TASK #2: 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.

If we finish early, I'll give you time to continue working on your short story drafts from The Thief of Always. Try to complete a draft of this story by next class if you can or, at least, by the end of the week. We will be starting something new next class, so don't delay your draft.

HOMEWORK: Read Stephen King's On Writing, Part 3 (the handout you were given) pages 150-170 for homework.

Please bring your packets back to our next class Thursday, March 12.

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