On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

After covering the basics of storytelling, King says that in terms of the more complex aspects not discussed, “you should use anything that improves the quality of your writing and doesn’t get in the way of your story” (196). He discusses symbolism, which “exists to adorn and enrich, not to create a sense of artificial profundity” (200). It is something that already exists in your story, and you just have to notice it and draw it out. In Carrie, King notices that blood comes up often and begins thinking about its symbolic implications.

The most important thing is that you should do whatever you want and keep what is good. Experiment if you want, and focus on the “grace-notes and ornamental touches” when your basic storytelling is done (197).

King deals with theme in this section. You should start with the story and situation and only later progress to theme because “starting with the questions and thematic concerns is the recipe for bad fiction” (208).

After you’ve written the first draft, take a step back and ask yourself what your story is about. Once you’ve figured that out, try to make it more apparent in the second draft.