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First Published: July 13, 2025 Paul W. Romero
Preface: This was originally written on June 15, 2022 at the beginning of my MFA Creative Writing program.
No two writers are the same, so why compare yourself to others when they don’t compare to you? Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has their way to solve problems. What matters is that they solve that problem, no? Same goes with getting a story onto the page.
Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is written in two parts with the first part told in an autobiographical approach about King writing journey. The second part takes on a more instructional approach where he lays out each chapter to include separate tools to be used by the writer. So far with the text, the idea of having a writer’s toolbox has become highly useful to me.
I have used this quote several times already, and it bears repeating. King states, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around those two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut” (145). Easier said than done, but it’s meant to emphasize that one must practice, practice, practice their craft. One must live and breathe their craft.
Keep practicing not until you get it right but until you can’t get it wrong.
As the adage goes one must keep practicing not until he or she gets it right but until he or she can’t get it wrong. Thus, I have learned to start creating a routine for myself that no matter what, no matter how busy or how tired I am from work, I will make the effort to carve out a section of each day to dedicate to reading and writing. Although I’m not entirely certain I can read seventy to eighty books a year like King (which would equal roughly one and a half books a week) nor can I crank out two massive novels a year, I can at least start somewhere and work my way up from that point.
That being said, don’t compare yourself to others and their journeys. Stay in your lane and do what’s best for you. We are all unique and must develop our own writing styles. We cannot allow ourselves to be pale imitations of someone else.
One belief that has been challenged by the text and I’m only a little bit ashamed of it is the belief that every story must start with a theme. In my previous studies in screenwriting, I was always told that the theme was the most important element and that a writer should start with the theme and build the story around it.
According to King, “Writing and literature classes can be annoyingly preoccupied by (and pretentious about) theme, approaching it as the most sacred of sacred cows, but (don’t be shocked) it’s really no big deal” (200). I admit I jumped up in brief celebration at this enlightenment. I have the utmost respect for my instructors, but as one who has struggled with the process of starting with finding a theme first and foremost, this gave me a sigh of relief to know that I don’t have to have writer’s block from trying to develop a theme. As a “pantser,” King relies on going where the story takes him. Eventually a theme will present itself, and if not then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
What works for one writer may not work for another. Do what works for you.
Main takeaway from this is that you must do what is right for you. Study your craft, practice your craft, and do whatever you can to better yourself and your skills. What works for one writer may not work for another. If pantsing or plotting works better for you over the other, then do it. If the theme comes naturally first or you have to flesh out the story first, then do it. If you can write every day or only a few times a week, that’s fine. Do whatever works for you. There are many different ways to write. All that matters is that you write. And have fun. Always be learning and always be having fun.
Work Cited
King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York, Scribner, 2000.
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Paul W Romero 