On Writing

King is consistent in his advice to young writers to always continue writing. To be a writer, one must be a reader. Reading is essential to the development of writing and to understand the trade of a writer, exploring different writing styles is necessary. King needed writing like he needed air to breathe. An example of this is pg.41 of On Writing, King is quoted stating, “The nail in my wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled by it.” King had submitted his work so many times that he had trouble even recording the amount of rejection he received. However, the more submissions King made the more writing experience he achieved and the more tips that he received from publishing magazines and newspapers. To King writing was something he had always had an interest, from the 8^th grade he was selling small ‘books.’ Through all the trouble that writing land Mr. King in (from the 8^th grade book failure to the high school newspaper fiasco. Pg 48-50) nothing could dissuade him from the need to write. In fact King even admits to using writing as a crutch to help him through his drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Even in the financially rough times in King’s life (pg.86) he continued to write, possibly in hope for that big break, or just for a way to continue his passion. Throughout his life King has essentially written without ceasing, except to catch his breath and to find a new idea for a book. To King, writing is a way of life that he simply and honestly cannot live without. Writing without ceasing is the only way to gain any literary success.