Writing 101

[la_samtyr]

"When I'm starting a book, I compose in bed before I go to sleep. I will lie there in the dark and think. I'll try to write a paragraph. An opening paragraph. And over a period of weeks and months and even years, I'll word and reword it until I'm happy with what I've got. If I can get that first paragraph right, I'll know I can do the book. ... The best first line I ever wrote is the opening of 'Needful Things.' Printed by itself on a page in 20-point type: "You've been here before." All there by itself on one page, inviting the reader to keep reading. It suggests a familiar story."
--Stephen King

You can read the rest of the article here:

http://www.theatlantic.com /entertainment /archive/2013/07/ why-stephen-king-spends-months-and-even-years-writing-opening-sentences/278043/?utm_source=writersfb

Now I feel a lot better about trying to get things to sound right when I am working on a story. :)

Comments

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

I agree... first lines get me!

And I love his book On Writing as well.

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

On Writing is a great book.

He's an amazing lecturer too.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

It's a wonder he's been able to write so many books! LOL I don't care for his books at all, far too dark for my tastes, but I do like hearing him talk about the craft of writing.

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that as scary as his books are, they aren't that bad. It's *reality* that scares me and gives me nightmares -- and then people ask why I have trouble sleeping.