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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King

Why we're reading this: Another classic that will get you ahead of the pack if you study it. Even if you just read it for pleasur…more
[close] Another classic that will get you ahead of the pack if you study it. Even if you just read it for pleasure, which you can, you can't help but pick up some wonderful bits of advice from the master of horror.

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Sep 25, 2014 Andrea Luhman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, writer-books

It is a pleasure when a book exceeds any preconceived ideas or notions you have about it. I read this book as an assignment and within the first ten pages I was relieved by how much I was enjoying it. I felt as if I was sitting down to an afternoon of conversation with a mentor. No book on writing has ever made me laugh like this one did. I had no idea Stephen King had such a great sense of humor, or that he was a high school English teacher.
For me the best part of this book was the reassurance ...more

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Mar 11, 2020 Reed rated it it was amazing

I never read Stephen King until I read On Writing, and this I must redress. King is one of the most successful writers of all time due to a passion for the craft, the discipline to write everyday, and of course, enormous talent. I aspire to be a writer, and I value highly King’s advice to people like me, expressed not at all in a high-handed way, but rather with encouragement, and great humor. I also enjoyed his fun autobiography at the beginning of the book, giving us a glimpse into his life an ...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Rebecca Vance rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is just that; part memoir and part craft and how they intertwine. Mr. King speaks frankly about his childhood and the struggles that he, his brother and his mother went through and his introduction to his start in writing. He continues through the lean years, to meeting and marrying his wife and the problems they encountered until his successful publication of his first novel, "Carrie". He tells of what he learned about the craft early on and then Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is just that; part memoir and part craft and how they intertwine. Mr. King speaks frankly about his childhood and the struggles that he, his brother and his mother went through and his introduction to his start in writing. He continues through the lean years, to meeting and marrying his wife and the problems they encountered until his successful publication of his first novel, "Carrie". He tells of what he learned about the craft early on and then later with experience, up until his accident in 1999 and the aftermath. The tone it sets is very relaxed, like you are sitting on a couch with him or in a study and he is just telling you about his life and experiences with writing. It is not like a textbook and he isn't like a teacher, but like a friend.

My overall impression of this book is wow! Being an aspiring author working on my debut novel, I am reading a lot and learning a lot. I am a note taker by nature..it helps me remember. I really didn't take notes on this book. I didn't need to. I learned so much, but in such a way, that I wasn't aware of it. I was too caught up laughing and reflecting on his life and the humor his candor brings. Now Stephen King is a very opinionated, tell-it-like-it-is type of guy. I like that, but maybe that is because I can relate to it. For instance, he hates when someone tells him that they want to be a writer, but they don't have the time to read. According to Mr. King: "If you don't have the time to read, then you don't have the time or the tools to be a writer." I read constantly, so I can also relate to this. He also does not believe in plot. He says that all of his stories start with an idea, then he lets the characters take over and tell it to the reader. I think what surprised me the most was discovering that he is so funny! He pulled some funny pranks as a child, and he has quite the sense of humor as an adult too. Since most of his material is of the darker nature, we generally don't see that side of him.

Whether you are a debut author or a seasoned novelist with years of experience, you will come away with not only knowledge, but maybe a different perspective on how to approach this wonderful world of writing that we love so much! ...more

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Apr 22, 2017 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, non-fiction, autobiography, writing, memoir, books-i-own

I shied away from reading this for ages, despite hearing over and over again that it was a great book about the craft of writing. I suppose I thought it might be inaccessible to me, having never read King, and, not being a horror fan, not planning to ever read him.

My fears were totally unfounded. The first part of the book is a memoir. King describes some pivotal moments in his life that contributed to his development as a writer. And it’s riveting. It’s a testament to his skill as a storyteller I shied away from reading this for ages, despite hearing over and over again that it was a great book about the craft of writing. I suppose I thought it might be inaccessible to me, having never read King, and, not being a horror fan, not planning to ever read him.

My fears were totally unfounded. The first part of the book is a memoir. King describes some pivotal moments in his life that contributed to his development as a writer. And it’s riveting. It’s a testament to his skill as a storyteller that I was almost moved to tears by his account of struggling by in crappy or exhausting jobs with a family to support and not being able to afford a phone, and then fearing he would find himself, in thirty years’ time, “wearing the same tweed coats with patches on the elbows (…) and in my desk drawer, six or seven unfinished manuscripts which I would take out and tinker with from time to time, usually when drunk”. And then he receives the unexpected news that he will be getting $400,000 for the paperback rights to Carrie. *sniffle*

The second half is less riveting, but is useful and interesting on the nuts and bolts of writing, especially the editing process. There are also some great parts about what writing is like. I loved his comparison to writing stories as akin to finding fossils on a beach:

Stories are relics, part of an undiscovered pre-existing world. The writer’s job is to use the tools in his or her toolbox to get as much of each one out of the ground intact as possible. Sometimes the fossil you uncover is small; a seashell. Sometimes it’s enormous, a Tyrannosaurus Rex with all those gigantic ribs and grinning teeth. (…) No matter how good you are, no matter how much experience you have, it’s probably impossible to get the entire fossil out of the ground without a few breaks and losses.

After being in a serious accident whilst still writing On Writing, King thought he might not finish it. His injuries were so severe that it became very difficult for him to write. But he did finish, and I’m very glad he did. And he uses this experience to write the last part of the book, acknowledging that:

There have been times when for me the act of writing has been a little act of faith, a spit in the eye of despair. (…) Writing is not life, but I think sometimes it can be a way back to life.

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Feb 24, 2012 Mike Duron rated it really liked it

Once I started reading this book by King, I couldn't put it down. It was an easy and enjoyable read. King speaks with a frank and enjoyable voice. I would consider this a must read for any person who seriously considers writing fiction. ...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Lonz Cook rated it it was amazing

What a great book. I found the instructions or tidbits very useful. I know most people don't talk about writing or seek advice, but those who do should read this book. Mr King uses multiple dynamics to get your attention. I found myself following every idea and comparing my writer techniques with those suggested. I recommend this book to everyone even if you aren't with the idea of writing. ...more

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