Stephen King: On Writing Flashcards

Questions and Answers

When does King come to his revelation about his writing?

Through the accident and during his recovery

How does King state he feels about writing for money?

Everyone writes for money

What suggestion does King's wife make during his recovery period?

To get back to work

From King's statements, what element should be used to illustrate a character?

Their speech Signup and view all the answers

According to King, what are two reasons to write? (Select all that apply)

Writing as a passion Signup and view all the answers

What activity might cause King to work on days he normally doesn't work?

Being in the middle of a new novel Signup and view all the answers

What does King help his uncle fix as a child?

A window screen Signup and view all the answers

What does King say about adverbs?

To limit their use Signup and view all the answers

What is King's most important injunction to writers?

Writers must be honest Signup and view all the answers

What book does King recommend for grammar study?

Strunk and White's Elements of Style Signup and view all the answers

According to King, what goes in the top of the writer's toolbox?

The most important tools for writing i.e. vocab Signup and view all the answers

What did King discover about the act of writing after his accident?

It was life-support Signup and view all the answers

Which genre does King feel Misery will belong to when he begins to write the story?

A short story Signup and view all the answers

Where does King get the idea for the novel Misery?

A dream Signup and view all the answers

What is the last thing on King's mind during the recovery period?

Writing Signup and view all the answers

Who causes King's accident?

Bryan Smith Signup and view all the answers

What is King's overall opinion on writing as a profession?

It is serious and straightforward Signup and view all the answers

What advice does King give on paragraphs?

To pay attention to the length and number of paragraphs Signup and view all the answers

Does King feel that a writer should blindly follow all the rules in the book he recommends?

False Signup and view all the answers

Stephen King dedicated this book to a fellow author, because he felt that she was the one who told him in a very simple and direct way that it was okay to write it. Who was she?

Amy Tan Signup and view all the answers

King states that, 'To write is human, to _______ is divine.'

edit Signup and view all the answers

The title of the first main section of the book is 'C.V.' - what does this stand for?

Curriculum vitae (academic or work history) Signup and view all the answers

Stephen King defines writing as:

Telepathy Signup and view all the answers

According to Strunk and White, and oft-quoted by Stephen King, which of the following is a writer's deadly enemy? (Select all that apply)

Adverbs Signup and view all the answers

Stephen King believes that writers can be divided into groups in terms of ability. Which of these groups does he believe is largest? (Select one)

Bad writers Signup and view all the answers

How did King get the idea for his novel, 'From a Buick Eight'?

He slid down a snowy embankment behind a gas station in Pennsylvania Signup and view all the answers

In 1999, Stephen King was almost killed when a van whose driver wasn't paying attention rammed into him at the crest of a hill. A portion of the book is devoted to the accident and his recovery. King had to undergo what's commonly referred to as P.T. for a long time - what does King say P.T. really stands for, if you've ever had to do it?

Pain and torture Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the small fictional town that features in several of King's novels?

Castle Rock Signup and view all the answers

What pseudonym did King use in writing the novels The Running Man and Thinner?

Richard Bachman Signup and view all the answers

King's wife is also a novelist. What is her first name?

Tabitha Signup and view all the answers

From 1966 until 1971, King studied English at which university?

Maine Signup and view all the answers

What does Stephen King believe is at the root of bad writing?

Fear Signup and view all the answers

What did he learn from writing the novel 'Carrie'?

<ol> <li>The most important is that the writer's perception of a character or characters may be as erroneous as the reader's; 2. Running a close second was the realization that stopping a piece of work because of lack of confidence can hurt a writer.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stephen King: On Writing Insights

King's revelation about writing emerged during his recovery from a serious accident.
He believes that all writers seek financial compensation for their work.
His wife, Tabitha, encouraged him to return to writing during his recovery phase.
Characters should be portrayed primarily through their speech to convey authenticity.
King identifies two fundamental reasons for writing: passion and career opportunity.
Immersion in a new novel can motivate King to write on his normally designated off days.
In his childhood, King helped his uncle repair a window screen, showcasing early influences.
He advises to minimize the use of adverbs in writing to enhance clarity and strength.
King's pivotal advice to writers is to maintain honesty in their work.
He recommends "Strunk and White's Elements of Style" for understanding grammar and style.
The writer's toolbox should prominently include essential tools such as vocabulary.
After his accident, King realized writing served as a crucial form of life support.
Initially, he considered his novel "Misery" to be merely a short story.
The inspiration for "Misery" came to King in a dream.
During his recovery, writing was the furthest thought from his mind until he found solace in it.
His accident was caused by Bryan Smith when he was struck by a van.
King views writing as a serious and straightforward profession, devoid of frivolity.
He emphasizes the importance of being mindful of paragraph length and structure in writing.
King asserts that not all guidelines in his recommended book should be followed strictly, as some may be excessive.
The dedication of his book goes to Amy Tan for her encouragement to write freely.
A key quote from King: "To write is human, to edit is divine," highlighting the editing process's significance.
The main section title "C.V." stands for Curriculum Vitae, showcasing his academic and professional journey.
King defines writing as a form of telepathy, connecting writers and readers beyond words.
Common enemies of writing, as stated by Strunk and White and echoed by King, include adverbs, passive voice, and poor dialogue attribution.
King categorizes writers into groups by ability, with 'bad writers' being the largest demographic.
An anecdote about "From a Buick Eight" reveals that King drew inspiration from a personal incident involving a snowy embankment.
King's near-fatal accident in 1999 and subsequent rehabilitation (referred to humorously as "pain and torture") are detailed in his writing journey.
Castle Rock is a fictional small town that appears in multiple King novels, creating a familiar setting for readers.
Richard Bachman was the pseudonym under which King wrote "The Running Man" and "Thinner."
Tabitha King, a novelist herself, is King’s wife, supporting his literary endeavors.
Stephen King pursued English studies at the University of Maine from 1966 to 1971.
He believes that fear serves as the root cause of poor writing, inhibiting creativity.
From writing "Carrie," King learned that a writer's perception can misalign with readers', and the importance of concluding a piece effectively.

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Test your knowledge of Stephen King's insights and experiences shared in 'On Writing'. This flashcard quiz challenges you to recall important moments and advice from the author regarding his approach to writing and life. Perfect for fans and aspiring writers alike!