"This Is Not An Autobiography."

As a beginner to any of Stephen King's books, I didn't know what to expect as I read the CV. However, as I read more into King's life, I couldn't help but to follow him through his journey to becoming who he is today. King's sense of humor is shown throughout the CV through his childhood stories and use of swear words. Yes, the CV has many swear words; however, King only uses these words when he thought the timing was appropriate. Also, King did not "sugar coat" anything as he told his story. A clear example was when he recalls the period in his life where he fell into the hands of alcohol and drug abuse.

One of my favorite quotes from the CV was right after King's mom encouraged him to start writing some of his own stories: "I remember an immense feeling of possibility at the idea, as if I had been ushered into a vast building filled with closed doors and had been given leave to open any I like. There were more doors than one person could ever open in a lifetime, I thought (and still think)." This realization led King to who he is today. From contributing to his brother's newspaper, Dave's Rag, to publishing The Village Vomit, King's own interpretation of the school newspaper, King prospered in putting his ideas on paper. Even when he was rejected hundreds of times before, King's determination to pursue his passion continued throughout his childhood and into his adulthood.

Soon enough, King met his future wife, Tabatha (Or, as King refers to her, Tabby). She is later one of his most loyal supporters as King tries to get his books published to support his family. King soon has his biggest break as the rights of his book, Carrie, goes for $400,000. However, his success was followed by a period of drugs and alcohol. King soon overcomes this with not only the help of his family and friends, but with his rational thinking. ("Any claims that the drugs and alcohol are necessary to dull a finer sensibility are just the usual self-serving bullshit.")

While I found King's On Writing a great piece of literature, I couldn't help think of the excessive amount of chapters. Just from the CV, there were 38 chapters. I felt that King left many "empty spaces" from his story. I know that he left many periods of his life out for different reasons; I couldn't help but feel that King would leave me hanging after a chapter or two. Nevertheless, King left a great impression on me. Just from the CV, he showed me that hard work and determination can lead to whatever my imagination can take me. I look forward to reading the rest of the book and learning more about not only King but more about writing.

"This is not an autobiography. It is, rather, a king of curriculum vitae - my attempt o show how one writer was formed. Not how one writer was made; I don't believe writers can be made, either by circumstances or by self-will (although I did believe those things once)." -Stephen King