Thank you, Mr. King!

That titled isn't intended as a tagline to pull you into reading this particular post. It is a heartfelt thank you directed toward Stephen King. When I first realized that maybe I could write something people would want to read, I began to pick up books on writing. I don't think I ever made it all of the way through any of them. These books frequently talked about developing an outline, figuring out your plot, creating character sketches. It all seemed like a LOT of process when I simply wanted to write.

I've had Mr. King's book 'On Writing' sitting on a shelf for quite some time. I downloaded the copy for Kindle and even the audio book. And yet, I hesitated to begin it. Why? I was afraid that again I'd be told to outline, plot and so on. I cannot write like that. Honestly, I don't KNOW where my characters are going to take me. I don't KNOW where the story is going. I don't KNOW how it will end. I have my suspicions, but I don't know.

For me to write, I need to be drawn into the story. I need to love or in some cases hate my characters as I get to know them and what they are about. To me, if I can't be drawn in, why would a reader?

Mr. King does not recommend writing that way. Thank God! That is not to say that he doesn't recommend some things that make me screw up my face. However, he backs all of that up with actual descriptions and lets me see the difference. So, I will be reading 'The Elements of Style' and I will be reading a book on basic English grammar.

The long and short of it is, Mr. King gave me permission to write as I need to write. He gave me permission to let my characters lead me. Maybe permission is the wrong word. His opinions gave weight to my own that outlines, plotting and character sketches might work for some, but they don't work for all writers.

I highly recommend that any aspiring writer check out his book 'On Writing'. Let's face it. While you might not be a fan, he is a highly successful writer. From whom could you get better writing tips?

So...freed from what doesn't work for me...I now simply write. Sincerely, Thank you, Mr. King.