Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
Bad writing is more than a matter of (expletive deleted) syntax and faulty observation; bad writing usually arises from a stubborn refusal to tell stories about what people actually do to face the fact, let us say, that murderers sometimes help old ladies cross the street.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Bad writing stems from a refusal to portray real human actions and complexities.
In this quote, Stephen King emphasizes that bad writing is not just about poor grammar or observation but is often rooted in a writer's unwillingness to engage with the truth of human behavior. He suggests that good writing should reflect the complexities of human nature, including actions that might seem contradictory, such as a murderer performing a kind act like helping an old lady, thereby highlighting the nuances of morality and character.
Themes
WritingStorytellingHuman NatureMoralityTruth
In practice
Example use cases
During a writing workshop, to emphasize the importance of authenticity in storytelling.
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That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
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Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
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