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
All I ask is that you do as well as you can, and remember that, while to write adverbs is human, to write he said or she said is divine.
Interpretation
Strive for your best in writing, and remember the value of simplicity in dialogue.
Stephen King's quote emphasizes the importance of doing your best in writing, while also highlighting a fundamental aspect of dialogue—using simple tags like 'he said' or 'she said'. This encourages writers to focus on clarity and directness in their craft, elevating the storytelling through uncomplicated expression rather than excessive embellishment.
In practice
In a writing workshop, this quote can encourage participants to focus on clarity in dialogue.
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.
Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
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.
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.
The most important thing in writing is to have written. I can always fix a bad page. I can't fix a blank one.
I consider the process of gestation just as important as when you're actually sitting down putting words to the paper.
I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.
Secure writers don't sell first drafts. They patiently rewrite until the script is as director-ready, as actor-ready as possible. Unfinished work invites tampering, while polished, mature work seals its integrity.
Write the best story that you can and write it as straight as you can.
I've tried writing on a computer thinking it would make me more efficient, but if you're writing crummy stuff, being efficient is no help.
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