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
Most books about writing are filled with bullshit. Fiction writers, present company included, don’t understand very much about what they do—not why it works when it’s good, not why it doesn’t when it’s bad.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the abundance of misleading advice in writing literature and suggests that even experienced writers have limited understanding of their craft.
Stephen King's quote emphasizes that many instructional books on writing are filled with misleading or irrelevant information. He acknowledges that even successful fiction writers, himself included, often lack a deep understanding of the intricate mechanics that differentiate good writing from bad writing, hinting at the complexity and subjective nature of the writing process.
Themes
WritingBooksUnderstandingCreativityFiction
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, to illustrate the complexities of writing, you might quote Stephen King.
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I would also suggest that any aspiring writer begin with short stories. These days, I meet far too many young writers who try to start off with a novel right off, or a trilogy, or even a nine-book series. That's like starting in at rock climbing by tackling Mt. Everest. Short stories help you learn your craft.
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What you look for as a reader is somebody who is going to take you and say, 'C'mon. Come into the story. I'm going to show you what there is to see.' The guide who is going to tell you, 'Pay attention over there,' or, 'Do you remember that other thing? Now watch!'
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