Shoshonni
September 8th, 2009, 08:21 AM
I have to tell you, I honestly have no idea what I'm going to put here but I know that you sometimes read these boards. (or so they say) Who are they any way?
I've lurked on this board watching people gush over this book or that book and extol your virtues as a writer. I, of course, being a typical King fan, agree with them.
The bookshelves in my den might as well be a scene from Misery as I own every book you've written. (sometimes in duplicate because I am a hardcore fan of the hardback book.. but sometimes you just can't afford more than the paperback!)
I'm writing this as a confession. I own all of your books. I've read them all, but one.
On Writing has been on my bookshelf for well over four years - unread and unappreciated, until last night. I was afraid of it. I was afraid of you. I knew what was in that book. I KNEW you were going to point your finger at me and scold me for not nurturing what I knew to be my God given talent.
..all those books that almost got written during my teen years when the fire burned bright and blazing. All those stories that I started, stalled, and finally threw out. Someone, the most IMPORTANT someone who flamed those weird and often gory tales in my head - was going to tell me that I was a loser. A cop out.
..and you did. I was rather surprised, however, to discover that it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. Sure - it stung all the way down to my tummy to be told that I would never be a great writer just because I was a good one.
I'm not yet done with On Writing. I just walked into my den and folded the corner down on page 177. Yes - I fold book corners, guilty as charged. The librarians of the world are agape with outrage. They're MY damn books!
I don't have to finish it to confess my sin though do I? It'll be finished by lunch time. Pinkie swear.
Now that the hard part is out of the way, I can take a deep breath and say this. "Thank you."
I want to WRITE. I want to do it now.. and tomorrow and the next day..
I lost that want in the shuffle of my life somewhere - marriage, children, illness, death.. but your has book put it all into perspective for me.
Those are the things I write ABOUT. Write what I know.
..oh and screw the plot. The story owns itself. I knew that once but I forgot it when I went to college and they shoved plot outlines in my face and sucked all the fun out of scribbling on napkins.
Maybe some day I'll get to thank you in person but for now.. this is enough.
Thank you.
Sho Walker
I've lurked on this board watching people gush over this book or that book and extol your virtues as a writer. I, of course, being a typical King fan, agree with them.
The bookshelves in my den might as well be a scene from Misery as I own every book you've written. (sometimes in duplicate because I am a hardcore fan of the hardback book.. but sometimes you just can't afford more than the paperback!)
I'm writing this as a confession. I own all of your books. I've read them all, but one.
On Writing has been on my bookshelf for well over four years - unread and unappreciated, until last night. I was afraid of it. I was afraid of you. I knew what was in that book. I KNEW you were going to point your finger at me and scold me for not nurturing what I knew to be my God given talent.
..all those books that almost got written during my teen years when the fire burned bright and blazing. All those stories that I started, stalled, and finally threw out. Someone, the most IMPORTANT someone who flamed those weird and often gory tales in my head - was going to tell me that I was a loser. A cop out.
..and you did. I was rather surprised, however, to discover that it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. Sure - it stung all the way down to my tummy to be told that I would never be a great writer just because I was a good one.
I'm not yet done with On Writing. I just walked into my den and folded the corner down on page 177. Yes - I fold book corners, guilty as charged. The librarians of the world are agape with outrage. They're MY damn books!
I don't have to finish it to confess my sin though do I? It'll be finished by lunch time. Pinkie swear.
Now that the hard part is out of the way, I can take a deep breath and say this. "Thank you."
I want to WRITE. I want to do it now.. and tomorrow and the next day..
I lost that want in the shuffle of my life somewhere - marriage, children, illness, death.. but your has book put it all into perspective for me.
Those are the things I write ABOUT. Write what I know.
..oh and screw the plot. The story owns itself. I knew that once but I forgot it when I went to college and they shoved plot outlines in my face and sucked all the fun out of scribbling on napkins.
Maybe some day I'll get to thank you in person but for now.. this is enough.
Thank you.
Sho Walker