'No shortcuts to writing success'

 

“As a writer, one of the things that I've always been interested in doing is actually invading your comfort space.  Because that's what we're supposed to do. Get under your skin and make you react.” – Stephen King

 

Born in Maine on Sept. 21, 1947 King has written more than 200 short stories and 80 (and counting) novels that have sold upward of 400 million copies.   Many movies also have been made from his works; and he’s won a remarkable 6 dozen major writing awards. Among them are the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award, and the National Book Award Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

 

King and his wife Tabitha, also a noted writer, are among America’s leading philanthropical couples, annually contributing some $3 million to charitable causes.   And he has been unafraid to share his writing talents with others, including authoring the book On Writing, considered one of the best written on the craft. 

                

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut,” King said.   “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.”