To whoever may read,
I'm writing this note to acknowledge the many ways in which Stephen King's writing has made an impact on me. First and foremost and likely most important - the ways in which his writing has affected mine. I know all authors must find their own voice and trying to mimic that of another will only hold you back. However, On Writing taught me some valuable rules that have stuck with me as I write. The vision of the rejection letters pinned to the wall has helped me through some of my own, although I am celebrating my first publication. His use of the vernacular is not only inviting as a reader, but has guided me through the difficult dialogue writing process. His advice on the process of writing is one that I've adopted myself and it's paying off.
Secondly, I want to acknowledge the impact his fiction writing has had on me as a reader. I keep places that he wrote, in his mind, guarded carefully in my own. Places I like to come back to on a regular basis - especially in the summer. As a teacher, there is something intensely pleasing when I finish my school year in spring. I am brimming with as much excitement as my students with my new freedom, freedom that will be spent revisiting some of my favorite places. Places like Derry, Maine, which SK created in his mind and now lives in mine. The setting in books like IT, The Stand, Hearts in Atlantis and more have a permanent place in my conscious. It's amazing, really - he creates them in his mind and by transmission of words, without ever having met, I have my own indestructible copy. A copy of places that exist in a time I favor - a nostalgic era of Americana and childhood that I revere. I've read thousands of books and have many favored authors, but SK holds a special place for me. Without ever intending or knowing it, he's guided me on my path with writing, and is helping me to realize the vocation I was born to do. So as I sit with my copy of IT on the table and brace myself to join our heroes on the mission, I send out a message of thanks to the inspirational, irreplaceable SK for all the guidance he's given and the places he's taken me.
Merci from north of the border,
Lindsay Clayton Day
I'm writing this note to acknowledge the many ways in which Stephen King's writing has made an impact on me. First and foremost and likely most important - the ways in which his writing has affected mine. I know all authors must find their own voice and trying to mimic that of another will only hold you back. However, On Writing taught me some valuable rules that have stuck with me as I write. The vision of the rejection letters pinned to the wall has helped me through some of my own, although I am celebrating my first publication. His use of the vernacular is not only inviting as a reader, but has guided me through the difficult dialogue writing process. His advice on the process of writing is one that I've adopted myself and it's paying off.
Secondly, I want to acknowledge the impact his fiction writing has had on me as a reader. I keep places that he wrote, in his mind, guarded carefully in my own. Places I like to come back to on a regular basis - especially in the summer. As a teacher, there is something intensely pleasing when I finish my school year in spring. I am brimming with as much excitement as my students with my new freedom, freedom that will be spent revisiting some of my favorite places. Places like Derry, Maine, which SK created in his mind and now lives in mine. The setting in books like IT, The Stand, Hearts in Atlantis and more have a permanent place in my conscious. It's amazing, really - he creates them in his mind and by transmission of words, without ever having met, I have my own indestructible copy. A copy of places that exist in a time I favor - a nostalgic era of Americana and childhood that I revere. I've read thousands of books and have many favored authors, but SK holds a special place for me. Without ever intending or knowing it, he's guided me on my path with writing, and is helping me to realize the vocation I was born to do. So as I sit with my copy of IT on the table and brace myself to join our heroes on the mission, I send out a message of thanks to the inspirational, irreplaceable SK for all the guidance he's given and the places he's taken me.
Merci from north of the border,
Lindsay Clayton Day
