On Writing Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

On Writing Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

The Van Accident

In this book, King shares the details of a life-threatening accident he experienced in 1999. The incident is described as being life-changing and symbolizes a turning point for the prolific writer.

Loneliness

Loneliness is a key motif in the text, and according to King, it comes with being a writer. He writes that "writing is a lonely job," as a writer usually works alone.

Adverbs

For King, adverbs symbolize an error that many writers make. He tells us that "the adverb is not your friend," and tells aspiring writers to avoid using it.

Writing

The craft of writing is a key motif in this text, which we can expect from the title. Each of the sections of the text is concerned with writing, whether it's the inspiration behind King's own writing, or the mechanics of writing, like style and grammar.

The Night

For King, night-time symbolizes the darkness of the human mind. He uses the idea of night time to suggest there are some things that humans cannot experience themselves, and a writer must capture this experience by using imagination and creativity.

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