When did Stephen start writing?

[nodoubt]

Just curious. My daughter came to school today (she's eight) in a little bit of trouble for the violence in her story today. She snapped a coyote's neck. So of course Mr. King came screaming to my mind. I mean he's made over $100 million snapping all sorts of necks, but maybe 8 is a little too soon?

[Todash]

Eh, as long as she's just snapping them in stories. :)

[Shann]

LOL Really. I use to write stories when i was like 10 years old and snapping people's neck but like i told my mother back then its all make believe

[Merdoc]

haha I agree with last post. Stories are a great outlet, though to answer your question...didnt he start writing at a very young age as well? I cant really remember.

[delores 74]

SK started writing at the age of 7 or thereabouts. I wouldn't worry about her snapping necks in stories...as long as that's the only place she snaps them.

[Shann]

I can't remember either but like i said its all make believe its not like he actally went out and snap people's necks lol :wink2:

[Bryan James]

I was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck a few times (I like to think I invented breakdancing back in the early Seventies).

I was supposed to be severely retarded--oxygen to the brain, all that jazz.

As it turned out, I'm only moderately retarded.

My mother went WAY over with books and playtoys and stencils of letters on the walls surrounding (and above) my crib.

Long story short, I could read at about the same time I could walk, and what I wrote barely pertains to the situation posted (it does, but I'm not going to write 10 pages of backstory)

If your daughter has an early gift, foster it...but monitor it...loosely.

If she starts levitating furniture...can't help you there.

My mother TK'd a jumprope into her hand from her porch as a toddler. Several witnesses and everything....since then she's been over-scared of snakes (beyond phobia).

The worst thing you could do to a child would be to egocentrically tell them that something is bad or wrong...unless it is something dangerous, "Suzie, stop running with Gramma's knitting sticks or I'm going to beat yer cheeks with this here soup ladle!"

Just watch and wait. Nancy Drew her, and cut back the cartoons a bit.

Don't stifle a possibly budding talent. Don't snip a rosebud before a bloom.

BJS

sorry, I rambled, took a few calls while writing this...MY DOOR WASN'T CLOSED

[Mr Nobody]

Well, there was the whole self-printing scheme going on and basically ripping off movies when he was in high school, right? So it's pretty much a case of 'since forever...or at least childhood'.

As for nodoubt's kid...provided the coyote's neck was snapped in context and was logical in the story, I can't see why any teacher should have a problem with it. If anything, given that (I presume) she had never snapped the neck of anything, it shows a lot of imagination and she's learning to deal with violence on her own terms.

[jacobtlong]

Stephen King has been writing since before he was born. He's just that awesome!

[JackTheRipper]

Yes I believe he started on his brother Dave's paper "Dave's Rag." This would've been at about nine or ten. Maybe even younger

[marew1]

SK wrote stories and had his own news letter when he was young. I believe I'm correct on this.

[PatInTheHat]

I totally agree!!!
I'm borrowing on just this side of a hittin' the half century mark, and I am in no way, emotionally/mentally prepared to be a successful multi-millionaire:eek2:!

How does one do it:eyebrow:?

[seanryan]

Considering the amount he has written over the years. I would say right after conception LOL!

[Bev Vincent]

About the age of six, I think -- that's when the Mr. Rabbit Trick stories were written. Check out On Writing.

[JohnDalglish]

SK wrote stories and had his own news letter when he was young. I believe I'm correct on this.

Hi,

Indeed, it was his brother publication, 'Dave's Rag', and you'll find two of his earliest published stories, from 1959/60, in the excellent and invaluable Secret Windows, entitled 'Jumper', a thee part serial, and 'Rush Call'.

Long days and pleasant nights

[pandora]

Thanks for the info John. I'm pulling out Secret Window right now !

[Prince of Darkness]

Hi,

Read On Writing, Secret Window, and Danse Macabre.

I have only read the former (due to financial embarassment), but know that the other two explain some things about his writing career and/or early life.

Well, I'm not of legal age yet, but I write things that would make the most experienced people in certain situations steam.. :biggrin2: LOL, and not to mention horror that has given ME nightmares when I re-read it.

Don't worry, writing it doesn't mean she will do it. I'm never going to do any of the bad things I write about, but that doesn't make it less appealing.

Long days and pleasant nights

[smjohn]

Things like that would not be such a big deal, if the adults in the kids lives didn't MAKE it such a big deal. When we were kids, my brother and I used to make up stories all the time. We used our imaginations and there was violence. In school we played a game called Dodge Ball where kids lined up against a wall and got balls thrown at us...We lived...Why can't kids just use their imaginations without being made to feel like future serial killers?

[irisahart]

i made up a devil story when i was about 8. no i was not nor am i now disturbed but it was and continues to be a facination to see how much i can freak someone out.