In 'Stick Man', the titular character lives happily in a family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their three stick children. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when he is taken away by a dog, leading him on a series of misadventures. From being used as a toy to becoming firewood, Stick Man longs to return home, especially as Christmas approaches. His journey takes a magical turn when he helps Santa Claus, ultimately leading to a heartwarming reunion with his family.
This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C.V.'), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.
Episode 221: Writing First, Assessment Second – A Conversation with Chris Youles
This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I’m joined by Chris Youles for a timely conversation about writing assessment—why it often feels so difficult, how we’ve arrived at this point, and what we can do to realign assessment with the true purpose of teaching writing.
We explore:
Why assessing writing has become disconnected from high-quality teaching.
The unintended consequences of planning lessons around assessment strands.
Whether great writing instruction makes formal assessment simpler—and what that looks like in practice.
How schools can rebuild trust in teacher judgement and let go of overly complicated systems.
If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by writing assessment or unsure how to make it more meaningful, this episode is packed with clarity, insight, and practical advice.
If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape. Join our Discord community to share your thoughts and explore unseen questions.
Thinking Deeply about Primary Education 
