On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

King uses the introduction to this section to reflect on his two main theses: good writing consists of mastering the fundamentals in the toolbox, and it is possible to “make a good writer out of a merely competent one” (142).

As he opens Chapter 1, King asserts that good writers must do two things “above all others: read a lot and write a lot” (145). Reading “creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing” (150). You can learn from both good writing and bad writing. Through bad writing, you can learn what not to do. You can also be rest assured that your own work is better than what you’re reading. Good writing teaches, “style, graceful narration, plot development, the creation of believable characters, and truth-telling” (146).

King advises to read as much as possible. Always take a book with you so you can read while waiting, at the gym, in the bathroom, and so on. You should also try to reduce TV time as much as possible and instead fill time with reading. Finally, you should be reading and writing because you want to do it, and “If there’s no joy in it, it’s just no good” (150).