Summary & Study Guide On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

by BookRags

On Writing is part biography and part how-to. Stephen King writes about his childhood and young adulthood, relating stories that made him the writer he has become. Stephen King then moves into the mechanics of writing, offering advice and insight into a successful career that has worked so well for him but remains distant for thousands of others. On Writing is a poignant, educated, and inspiring book, a book that is sure to help hundreds of struggling writers and motivate still others who picked up the book not for inspiration, but curiosity. This study guide includes the following Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Audiobook, Reference, Memoir

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2010

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. I go back to it when I need motivation to write.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from a teacher, actually he practically shoved it into my hands. I wasn't too excited about it, I'd read a book on writing before and while it was helpful, it wasn't very interesting. When I tossed my backpack on the floor and pulled out the book, I was hooked. It's amazing. Interesting AND helpful. It inspired me to begin writing every day. In the past I wrote whenever I had spare time. Now I think, to hell with spare time! I make my OWN spare time, wake up at 5:30 every morning and get down to business. Hopefully my supply of coffee never runs out!

I may not have enough years for my recommendations to be credited (fifteen mind you) but I'll recommend this book anyways! If you want to write, READ IT NOW.

[Rodney Sills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought some deep insights to the life of the man himself. As a writer he also offered some extremely valuable tips in his own creative way. Very humble and enlightening in tone. This book explained how he could bring a tenderness to some of his darkest writings. If you are a writer or love to read the life of others then this is a must read for you.

[Jennifer Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I have never read anything by Stephen King because I don't like scary/sci fi stories. But I do love these movies based on his work: Stand by Me, Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Stand and even Misery. After having read this one, I'm going to go back and read these stories. And maybe branch out into some of the scarier ones.

The first half of the book is memoir. It gives a brief glimpse into the events in his life that affected his writing. The next third is his advice about how to be a better writer. He's frank, informative, entertaining - and incredibly helpful. I checked this book out from the library for a book club, but will be purchasing it to reference.

The last bit was an updated biography - it was published around 2000 and he had been hit by a car while in the middle of writing it. At the end he included an update on how he was.

I had never heard of this until my Write On Edge group suggested it and I'm so glad!

[Rob Dinsmoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fused a memoir of sorts with a very pragmatic guide to writing fiction. I had actually been very curious about Stephen King's life and he opened it all up to the reader, including the day in the 1970s he found out he was getting a $200,000 for the paperback rights to Carrie. ("Steve, are you sitting down?") ("Could you say that sum of money again very, very slowly?") It also described his getting his by the car, saying the driver was psychotically cheerful--and that he felt he'd just met a crazy character out of one of his books. Anyway, thoroughly fun and informative and I recommend it for anyone who writes--or wants to write--fiction.

[R.k. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book hoping for hints to help my writing career. While the book as some of that, it primarily contains his life story. In this memoir of his writing history, he reveals the life stories that lead to many of his works. I greatly enjoyed the parts from his childhood that became IT, Cujo, and the other horrors inhabiting his books.

This is well worth the read even if you have no plans to publish.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both a thoughtful and thorough guide to writing (without being too technical) and a glimpse into what made Stephen King the success that he is. One of the most no-nonsense how-to books I've ever read.

[Susan Oleksiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen King's books are compelling--as a reader I can feel the drive in the story. This memoir is no different. King gives a vivid picture of his childhood before moving into his ideas about writing. Halfway through he presents his two theses. First, "good writing consists of mastering the fundamentals (vocabulary, grammar, the elements of style) . . . (and second) "while it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one." King's basic advice to anyone who wants to be a writer is to read read read and write write write. He gives practical advice on where to write, editing, setting goals, and other matters. Farther on he reports that he believes a story is "a found thing," like a fossil in the ground. I could go on, but I hope you get the idea. King is a great writer (and a great teacher) because he has thought deeply about things and knows how to pass his understanding along. This is a treasure of a book for writers but also a treasure for anyone who wants to ride along with a brilliant lively mind who knows his world and knows how to share it.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny! Reads like an autobiography, although he says it's not, but claims it is a "curriculum vitae - my attempt to show how one writer was formed, not how one writer was made..." It is a fast read and I'm laughing from story to story. The book has been sitting on a shelf in my school office and I am sorry I've waited so long to read it.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read if you like the craft of writing. King's outlook may not agree with everyone, but it is his writing process he discusses.

[Andrew Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting/informative read. Walked away with a bit more knowledge on the craft, and a good deal more on the author.

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab! Really inspiring and inciteful. Incredibly readable.

[Chelly]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and very difadactic!

[Nate Dern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading it.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was required reading for school, and for the majority of the book that's what it felt like. It was the summer reading I had no interest in. I don't enjoy horror or creepy sci-fi so I haven't read many of King's books. I enjoyed bits a pieces of this so I awarded it 3 stars. I would not recommend this to a young audience as it has cursing/vulgar language as well as his history with drug and alcohol addiction. If your looking for a book to analyze for rhetorical devices though, this would be a fantastic choice. This is also a great choice for aspiring authors for the "tool box" portion.

[Caitlin Gorneault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought it on a whim because I enjoy writing and plan to publish my first story within the next two years. I was surprised by how much I got out of this book and how much I was genuinely entertained. I got to learn more to develop my skills as a writer writing for other people and not just myself. All the while I got a peek into Stephen King's life and his growth as an author and as a person. Great stories from childhood and references to his books. I loved it.

[Asma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A candid and inspiring blend of memoir and writing advice. King shares his journey from struggling writer to bestselling author, alongside practical tips on grammar, storytelling, and persistence. A must-read for beginners who want honesty without sugarcoating.

[Shawn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add to permanent collection

[Stacey Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him as a writer, love him as a person. So much honesty in one tiny book.

[Andreas Valentin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meget inspirerende. Man behøver ikke have en drøm for at blive forfatter eller elske Stephen King for at få noget ud af bogen, men det hjælper helt klar på oplevelsen!

[Gio · Rating 4 out of 5]

great insight

[Anna Deptuła · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for writers to be!

[dd ww · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. King advises on how and where to write. He encourages beginners. He says anyone can write.

[J.D. Steens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast, peppy read. The first part is autobiographical (Interesting, challenging background). The second part covers King's thoughts on writing, beginning with his forward statement that "most books about writing are filled with bullshit." Re-writes should aim for 10% less in word volume; delete that which is not part of the story. Good writing can be "simultaneously intoxicating and idea-driven." "Writing is seduction." Use plain and direct vocabulary; avoid the fancy erudite words. Focus on nouns and verbs. Avoid passive verbs (displays timidity - no ownership - or carries an undefined but implied authority). Minimize adjective use and avoid adverbs ("not your friends."). Critiques involve 6-8 people whose judgement is trusted and write for the Ideal Reader, which is the writer's own conscience. Writing camps and seminars ("colonies") are generally unhelpful, with fluffy critiques, filled with vague and stock expressions ("I loved the feel of Peter's story," etc.), and people "nodding and looking solemnly thoughtful." King also has a writing routine that works for him and that he recomends for others. Such routines, however, are likely to be quite individualized.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book on the writing craft by one of the most esteemed fiction writers of our time. Stephen King offers practical, time tested, prudent advice on the writing craft and solid ideas for improvising, improving and overall becoming a more well rounded and seasoned writer. I haven't written fiction in many years but after reading this book it definitely intrigued me enough to want to venture out into the murky waters of the fiction arena just to push myself as a writer. It's important to get outside your writing comfort zones. He also gives insight as to what makes him tick as a writer which was not only enthralling but incredibly informative. Like many many others before me I've always wondered where he got the ideas for writing his superb fiction. Please read this if you are a writer and even if you aren't you won't be disappointed.

[C.J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise. The usual Stephen King humor was threaded in but with autobiographical elements. From reading this book, I totally got a chance to go into the mind of a fiercely committed writer/author. The success he has had is no accident. This man worked hard to get even that first book published. He had been aiming to be published since high school with his sci-fi and horror short stories. Carrie yes, was is first ticket to the big time and it was refreshing to read about his ideology behind the book and what he believed its chances of success would be in the long run. This book is not only a solid read for aspiring and established writers, it is entertaining for anyone...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever been curious how Stephen King's mind works and where he comes up with some of his stories, this is it.

Mr. King explains how he writes and where his material comes from. I truly enjoyed this book as well as all of his others. I have always wondered where he gets such wild ideas to write about and now I know! This book will at times make you laugh when he writes about some of his childhood and there will be a few of those "a-ha!" moments

This book also gives some good advice, if you are an aspiring writer, it is definitely a good read and if you are simply a fan of his, you will enjoy it as well.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because of the effusive praise I heard from a respected source. King does not write
in my genre (reading or writing) so I doubted the value of his advice.
I was wrong.
First, it was a highly enjoyable read, apart from the advice.
Second, it was very close to a memoir, which lent insight to his "famous" life and revealed why so many people I admire seem to admire him as a person, not just as a writer.
Last, but by no means least, his advice on writing well is as solid as it comes, is both specific and philosophical, and inspires me on several levels.

[Heather Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by a friend after I became stuck in the middle of my first rewrite. I now recommend it to all new writers as it quite simply breathed new life into my work. Stephen King made me realise all my idiosyncrasies and feelings during the writing process are quite normal. To read about his having the same anxieties as I was having as I read was a real help. Fantastic advice; this is, with out a doubt, the best book out there for unpublished authors. I can't recommend this highly enough.