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Required ReadingAuthor: Required Reading, Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Michael Carroll and Mike Burns.
Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll are teachers at the Marist School teaching the American Experiment Class. In an attempt to update our curriculum, we have been reassessing the books we assign, we were assigned in high school and college, and the books we wish we assigned. Do people even read anymore? I mean, we do, but how do we keep the student engaged with the Required Reading. Language: en-us Genres: Arts, Books, Education Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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On Writing by Stephen King
Episode 68
Friday, 9 January, 2026
On Writing isn’t a horror novel—but it is one of the most honest books ever written about the act of writing. In this episode of Required Reading, we dive into Stephen King’s hybrid memoir-and-manual to explore what it really means to become a writer. King strips away the mystique surrounding creativity and replaces it with discipline, reading, revision, and a willingness to fail publicly. From his childhood and early rejections to his battles with addiction and his near-fatal accident, On Writing argues that good writing isn’t about talent or inspiration—it’s about showing up, telling the truth, and cutting what doesn’t belong. We discuss King’s famous “toolbox,” his hatred of adverbs, the brutal beauty of revision, and why reading constantly might matter more than any writing rule. Along the way, we ask a bigger question: is writing a special gift, or is it a craft available to anyone willing to do the work? Whether you love Stephen King, hate horror, or think you “aren’t a writer,” this episode makes the case that writing is less about genius—and more about persistence. Hosted by Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Carroll, and Mike Burns
