Taken out of context, this quote - attributed to the master of horror - makes no sense.
In context, however...
What King meant was this: Too many aspiring authors approach writing with trepidation. They are afraid their writing might not be good enough. They are afraid people won't read it. They are afraid people won't like it. They are afraid they might not even like it. They are afraid to screw up.
They over-think things.
They chase away confidence with the shotgun of fear.
And their writing reflects this.
Charles Bukowski said (I believe in The Captain Is Out To Lunch And The Sailors Have Taken Over The Ship) that the reason his writing worked was because he took risks. Too many other writers - he said, in his endlessly condescending manner - study...and fail.
Not to diminish the importance of study - of reading, of exploring the craft - but only to say that (my words - not Bukowski's) too many writers are too technical with their approach. They break writing down to steps. To a science. They forget to fly.
Because of this, their books fail to get readers off the ground as well.
Dear Writer,
...take off
...let go
...forget the "what if it doesn't?"
...focus instead on the "what if it does?"
Get rid of that fear. Have some confidence. Take some risks!
Fly.
[be a pal. follow me…]
*on this website*
*on twitter*
*on facebook*
I love this Jordan. This applies to many, many aspects of life as well as writing.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate reading your insite - and not just because our last names are the same!!
I needed to hear this today, it came at a time when I'm procrastinating on my revisions. After I read this I realized it's fear getting a grip on me. Appreciate the post.
ReplyDeleteAlvarado - that's awesome to read! Glad it could help.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently on p. 170 of that very book. I'm trying to read it in conjunction with my revisions; I'm finding when I hit barriers, if I walk away and read a few chapters, it gives me a fresh starting point to move forward.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to focus on the "what if it does?" It's my mantra during the entire revision process, and it is helping. Sometimes, I worry I'm editing my story dry; that the parts I've fallen in love with are disappearing or losing their special touch. Thanks for this post; I'll try not to do that. (And when I do, at least I'm saving each draft!)
Paul - 'Editing it dry' - I like that. I actually felt that same way while editing LENORE. And there were definitely parts where I did over-edit. The great thing is, you still know the story. And usually, when you realize you cut too much out of a section, you can make it even better the second time around!
ReplyDeleteI recently read Stephen King's On Writing and absolutely loved it. I can't read his novels because the scare the crap out of me, but is there really anyone out there with more insight into successful writing than the King?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, it's always good to be reminded of the importance of just getting the dang words down!
Nina
Nina - I think we all feel that way at times! (The part about "getting the dang words down." Well...the part about Stephen King scaring the crap out of us, also!)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"They forget to fly."
ReplyDeleteI really loved this post, Jordan. I'm a structured person, and so I find that I have to outline my story before I write it, otherwise I get lost.
However, I still run into problems while I outline: I get stuck. The road is there, but my wheels have been caught in a rut. And although it's better than being completely lost, miles from the path, it still halts my writing. Sometimes for days. Sometimes for weeks.
So next time, when I get stuck ... I'll forget the mechanics ... forget the fear of path being too wide or narrow, or not going in the right direction ... and I'll just fly.
Guess I'd better dust of those old wings in the closet.
ReplyDelete