Rebecca Moll's Blog - Posts Tagged "how-to"
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King, A Book Review by Rebecca Moll
Who else to give advice, On Writing, than a writing phenom?
Years ago, I stumbled upon a short story collection of King's and was shocked to find two of my favorite movies, Stand by Me and Shawshank Redemption. Thus began my appreciation of King's storytelling. Let me say, I hardly read horror, but I love Stephen King's writing.
So, when my daughter brought home On Writing for her AP English class, I waited patiently until she was done and then snatched it up 🙂
King does not disappoint. His straight forward, practical, and sometimes hard to hear advice, such as "kill your darlings," is just what a writer needs, whether a professional or a just-for-fun writer.
Even better is identifying your own evolution as a writer on the spectrum he illustrates. Where you are now, where you were 6 months ago, 6 years ago, 60 years ago. Writing is a process, A to Z, far from linear, a humbling, frustrating, enlightening, and sometimes, oh, so satisfying process. Seeing yourself in the process helps you to move forward, to make the necessary changes that hold you back.
Want to write? Want to write well? Then study those who do, like Stephen King, author of more than 50 books.
And, most importantly, do like King: Read, Read, Read.
With that, I must agree.
So, get the book. Read the book.
On Writing is dead-on. Of course it is. Expect anything less from the King of Horror?
Years ago, I stumbled upon a short story collection of King's and was shocked to find two of my favorite movies, Stand by Me and Shawshank Redemption. Thus began my appreciation of King's storytelling. Let me say, I hardly read horror, but I love Stephen King's writing.
So, when my daughter brought home On Writing for her AP English class, I waited patiently until she was done and then snatched it up 🙂
King does not disappoint. His straight forward, practical, and sometimes hard to hear advice, such as "kill your darlings," is just what a writer needs, whether a professional or a just-for-fun writer.
Even better is identifying your own evolution as a writer on the spectrum he illustrates. Where you are now, where you were 6 months ago, 6 years ago, 60 years ago. Writing is a process, A to Z, far from linear, a humbling, frustrating, enlightening, and sometimes, oh, so satisfying process. Seeing yourself in the process helps you to move forward, to make the necessary changes that hold you back.
Want to write? Want to write well? Then study those who do, like Stephen King, author of more than 50 books.
And, most importantly, do like King: Read, Read, Read.
With that, I must agree.
So, get the book. Read the book.
On Writing is dead-on. Of course it is. Expect anything less from the King of Horror?
