To write well is to write often

In his book On Writing, Stephen King clearly demonstrates his belief that good writing comes from writing frequently and plentifully from the first page to the last page. The first example of this is in the not one, not two, but three forewords Kings writes for the book. Each foreword is different than the one before it. He was written so much, and this book is proof that writing lots and writing often pay off.

King’s passion for writing often began at age five or six. He started early and is still going. Every good writer has to start somewhere, and for King that place was in a small house copying comic books just because he loved it.

King made it clear in On Writing that good writing comes from consistent, perseverant writing when he says, “If you want to be a good writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Does it get anymore clear than that? In the first chapter of On Writing King gives many examples of writers of write a lot.

He displayed his love of writing very well throughout the book, but especially in the on Writing section. To summarize, when he is working on a book, King’s biggest issue is having to stop writing to eat or sleep. King becomes so engaged in his writing that he can’t get away. When he is working King writes everyday including Christmas, the Fourth of July, and his birthday.

King lives out what he preaches, and I definitely respect him for that. He doesn’t just tell other writers what to do; he does it as well! If good writing is a direct result of abundant reading and writing, then I must finish this essay so I can open a book!