On Writing … over Christmas and the holidays

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nishdo

New Member
Dec 24, 2018
2
11
54
Hello all,

Big fan of Stephen King's book On Writing, here's a lighthearted thank you for that book, and about writing over the holidays - which is hard to get started on with so much else going on!


On Writing … over Christmas

When you are ready, you might start with a character,
You move on to place, maybe near, maybe far.
When is the story set, Easter, summer, perhaps Christmas night,
Last, what is it about, what makes it feel right.

Harold Pinter once said to let your characters roam,
You wonder if such advice would suit your tome.
It is a nice idea, but one you fear to trod,
You find your Stephen King book, time to learn from the God.

Book in hand, one of your favourite presents,
It’s just you and a laptop, for sentences of brilliance.
You know what Stephen wants, you’ve highlighted each line,
No adverbs, no passive, write for yourself, one word at a time.

You might think now, would Stephen start with a pun,
You know, just for a little bit of fun.
Yule all laugh out loud, you tell your folk,
What if no one does, best don’t start with a joke.

No words are flowing, you’re in full retreat
Today’s sole joy, the advent calendar’s sweet.
There’s knocking on the door, people are visiting,
You bet Stephen never put up with a pipers-bidding. (*)

You know what Stephen would say, if he were here,
He would say, write, now, and without fear.
And you would, you would put to words, all you had to say,
You do this for Stephen, after all, it is Stephen’s Day! (**)



* Unannounced or last minute visitors.
** In Ireland, December 26th is also called (Saint) Stephen's Day.


N.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Hello all,

Big fan of Stephen King's book On Writing, here's a lighthearted thank you for that book, and about writing over the holidays - which is hard to get started on with so much else going on!


On Writing … over Christmas

When you are ready, you might start with a character,
You move on to place, maybe near, maybe far.
When is the story set, Easter, summer, perhaps Christmas night,
Last, what is it about, what makes it feel right.

Harold Pinter once said to let your characters roam,
You wonder if such advice would suit your tome.
It is a nice idea, but one you fear to trod,
You find your Stephen King book, time to learn from the God.

Book in hand, one of your favourite presents,
It’s just you and a laptop, for sentences of brilliance.
You know what Stephen wants, you’ve highlighted each line,
No adverbs, no passive, write for yourself, one word at a time.

You might think now, would Stephen start with a pun,
You know, just for a little bit of fun.
Yule all laugh out loud, you tell your folk,
What if no one does, best don’t start with a joke.

No words are flowing, you’re in full retreat
Today’s sole joy, the advent calendar’s sweet.
There’s knocking on the door, people are visiting,
You bet Stephen never put up with a pipers-bidding. (*)

You know what Stephen would say, if he were here,
He would say, write, now, and without fear.
And you would, you would put to words, all you had to say,
You do this for Stephen, after all, it is Stephen’s Day! (**)



* Unannounced or last minute visitors.
** In Ireland, December 26th is also called (Saint) Stephen's Day.


N.


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