Stephen King believes a writer should write a lot to be successful. Throughout his life, King has always written.

Final Response to Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Throughout his life, Stephen King has demonstrated his dedication to the art of writing. From a young boy, eager to learn the meaning of new words to a 63 year old autobiographer, King has lived his motto: read a lot and, more importantly, write a lot. King's passion for writing, displayed in the memoir, encourages amateur and aspiring writers, dedicated to the craft. King uses several personal experiences and advice as specific examples to show good writing. Unique examples include his early writing years, his time of addiction, and his relationship with his wife.

In his first years of writing, King could've been discouraged enough to give up writing completely. Rejection slip after rejection slip, King strived to become a published writer. In his C.V., King states: "Don't bother trying to read between the lines, and don't look for a through-line. There are no lines -- only snapshots, most out of focus." He uses metaphors like this example to show how simple good writing can be and is for a good author. In his childhood, King moved often with his mother and brother. One thing that never changed (contrary to his fast-paced life) was writing. In his early years, King developed the theme and genre he loved to write about. He realized fiction was suited for him and even wrote for newspapers. To write well, knowing early in life what you love to write about and share with others is key.

As his career progressed, King developed an addiction to alcohol and other drugs. And while some of his best works were written under the influence, King regrets not remembering his "glory" days of writing. Throughout his intervention, King showed true leadership in good writing by overcoming personal obstacles. As King had to battle his personal downfalls and strife, he had to form himself into the writer he is today. He says "Words create sentences; sentences creates paragraphs; and sometimes paragraphs quicken and begin to breathe." Like the structure of good writing, King had to develop the mentality of a good writer. In this portion of the novel, King portrays overcoming his darkest hour and rising triumphantly out of the pit of despair.

A writer herself, King's wife is an encourager, but more importantly, a realist. As his Ideal Reader, Tabitha King has a relationship with King beyond that of a bonded marriage. King uses her for advice on all of his works -- whether good or bad. When King is unsure of a piece he's begun, Tabitha is there to give him the absolute truth. When writing Carrie, King threw away his draft. Tabitha was immediately there to scoop it out of the wastebasket and put her mind to the work -- and a bestselling novel was born. In expressing his relationship with his Ideal Reader, King shows the importance of writing...good writing, that is.  He defines writing the best: "Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well."

Writing and reading a lot are a given in King's opinion. Beyond this, King uses several specific examples to develop good writers. Throughout his life, King has always written, and he charges others to do the same in this memoir.