On Writing

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Hi, my name is Cate Kirby and I'm a writer and translator (Spanish to English or vice versa), I was born and live in Argentina.
I decided to become a member of the Stephen King page a few months back but actually never wrote in the forum, it was on my to-do list... then in September I received an e-mail from the MessageBoard congratulating me on my birthday! So it was a reminder I was connected to the page. And here we are, already 2014...
The reason I became a member is because last year a friend sent me Stephen's book "On Writing", and I wanted to thank Stephen for taking the time to write and publish this book: it is the BEST and most practical book I've ever read on our profession. It inspired me as well as gave me many useful tips. Truly a good book for writers. Strangely, I am not a reader of Stephen's fiction as I don't like reading 'scary' stories. No judgement at all, it's just knowing what I enjoy. This feels a little like writing into a void, but take my advice if you're a writer, and get that book!
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
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Not all of his books are the scary variety. They are suspenseful but don't always have "horror" elements which is what I assume you mean by scary. The Eyes of the Dragon is more fantasy; 11/22/63 would not be considered horror; I would classify The Dark Tower series as dark fantasy; Different Seasons has at least 3 stories you might recognize from the movie adaptations (Stand By Me, Apt Pupil, and Shawshank Redemption); The Talisman and Black House are more dark fantasy than horror; and The Green Mile wouldn't be considered horror although there is a bit of a supernatural element. Hope you give one of them a try to see that horror is not all that Stephen's works are about! And welcome to the Board--hope you stay around!
 

Haunted

This is my favorite place
Mar 26, 2008
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The woods are lovely dark and deep
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Mr. King's books are also lessons in building interesting characters; something every writer should study.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Hi, my name is Cate Kirby and I'm a writer and translator (Spanish to English or vice versa), I was born and live in Argentina.
I decided to become a member of the Stephen King page a few months back but actually never wrote in the forum, it was on my to-do list... then in September I received an e-mail from the MessageBoard congratulating me on my birthday! So it was a reminder I was connected to the page. And here we are, already 2014...
The reason I became a member is because last year a friend sent me Stephen's book "On Writing", and I wanted to thank Stephen for taking the time to write and publish this book: it is the BEST and most practical book I've ever read on our profession. It inspired me as well as gave me many useful tips. Truly a good book for writers. Strangely, I am not a reader of Stephen's fiction as I don't like reading 'scary' stories. No judgement at all, it's just knowing what I enjoy. This feels a little like writing into a void, but take my advice if you're a writer, and get that book!

Besides "On Writing" which is an excellent nonfiction book, you should try some of his other works as well. He has SO many good stories to choose from and not all scary, either!
 
Thanks for that information on Stephen's other books, Ms. Mod! Obviously I wasn't paying attention when seeing The Green Mile and the Shawshank Redemption as movies based on his books. This coincides with Haunted's message on the way Stephen builds his characters, thanks for reminding me about this aspect! So I'm on the right track in paying attention to his tips. For Stand By Me I must do some sort of recall, I guess I must have seen it. I haven't googled this, but I'm presuming the song of the same name is the background for that movie?
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
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Welcome. If I could do anything differently as far as academics, I wish I could learn Spanish. Being bilingual with any language is so useful in just about any job nowadays. We have a few people I work with who make bank working OT as translators around here.
 

Stanley Ruiz

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2013
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Hi cate, welcome.

We used to have a written work spot on here where folks tried the 'dick and Jane' the story SK laid down. At the end of the tale he asked the readers to switch the protagonist from the female who is being stalked by her ex to the male who is being stalked. The stories posted were great ( mostly)

Some twisted puppies out there.


:pirate: Sheemie
 
Hi cate, welcome.

We used to have a written work spot on here where folks tried the 'dick and Jane' the story SK laid down. At the end of the tale he asked the readers to switch the protagonist from the female who is being stalked by her ex to the male who is being stalked. The stories posted were great ( mostly)

Some twisted puppies out there.


:pirate: Sheemie
A "written work spot" sounds like fun to me! I've not kept up with this thread recently although I did read the replies and the likes, thanks for the welcome messages..! I've had no translation work [ :-( ] but this has given me time to think! [ :) ] especially about SK's advice about writing. And one of them is to keep writing every day; and I'm not sure if this next is one of SK's tips, but I have to keep on track and focused - it is very easy for me to get distracted... How many writers out there have the same problem? :)
 
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