Coming to Grips

I have spend a good many years—too many, I think—being ashamed about what I write. —Stephen King

I spent most of my July Fourth sprawled out on my bed absorbing Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft.”

When I read how he felt ashamed of his own work for so many years it hit a nerve with me. I’ve struggled myself with writing something “worthwhile” versus writing what I love.

It was this past May when I attended the conference for horror writers and joined HWA that made me finally come to grips with who I am.

I was surrounded by people who thought much the same way I did, and the feeling was liberating. For a long weekend I laughed at things you don’t say in polite company and I reveled in the morbid, the bizarre and the horrible. I came to grips with who I am.

How appropriate that I would read King’s words on Independence Day because I feel like I have recently earned my own freedom to be myself—writing something “worthwhile” and writing what I love have become the same.

About Angela Yuriko Smith

Angela Yuriko Smith's blog, DandiFluff, is celebrating the 5th year and going strong. Subscribe for opportunities to beta read her latest work, find out about her new work available as well as news from the publishing and creative community at large.
This entry was posted in Writing Life and tagged a memior of the craft, Horror Writers Association, king, on writing, stephen. Bookmark the permalink.

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