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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft Paperback – July 6, 2010
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“Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it—fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherScribner
- Publication dateJuly 6, 2010
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.8 x 8.44 inches
- ISBN-109781439156810
- ISBN-13978-1439156810
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"This is a special book, animated by a unique intelligence, and filled with useful truth."—Michael Chabon
"On Writing had more useful and observant things to say about the craft than any book since Strunk and White's The Elements of Style."--Roger Ebert
“The best book on writing. Ever.”--The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
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Product details
- ASIN : 1439156816
- Publisher : Scribner; Anniversary edition (July 6, 2010)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781439156810
- ISBN-13 : 978-1439156810
- Item Weight : 11.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.44 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #174,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #201 in Words, Language & Grammar Reference
- #460 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)
- #5,388 in Memoirs (Books)
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PLOT - King divides On Writing into two parts. The first half of the book is dedicated to a series of true-life events that King believes foreshadowed his career in writing or events that shaped the themes that appear in his stories. Even if you're not an aspiring writer or don't give a fig about his writing advice, this first half of the book is highly interesting. If you're a King fan, this is a must read. His stories are so well know, that even the ones that I've not read or seen a film adaptation of, I knew and this made it fascinating to read the inspiration for these stories. I think what King is really trying to drive home here is that stories exist in the every day and to shape, not fight against those themes that keep presenting themselves.
The second part of the book focuses on writing advice, everything from proper grammar to getting a literary agent. King draws on his own experiences, as well as the experiences of his colleagues. He is constantly pointing out that this is just his (one writers) advice on how to do it and that there are plenty of other solutions that have worked for other writers.
LIKE - I liked King's frank advice. One of the biggest things he repeats is the need for writers to be active with both their reading and writing. This sounds obvious, but just having spent a lot of time with other aspiring writers, this does not always seem to be the case. There are readers who want to write and writers who avoid books. I tend to read more than write and King's advice has inspired me to up my game.
He also inspired me to think more about how I can create "my own" space in which to write, a distraction free space. I've not quite found that right spot or the times that I'm most productive. King made me really think about my writing strategy in terms of getting my short stories published and the longer term goal of finding a literary agent. He makes a compelling case for the necessity of a literary agent. King gave me a good kick in the ass towards figuring out my future goals.
I appreciated King's section of editing and how he showed a first draft of his own story and then showed the subsequent edit. King never says that writing is easy or that everyone can do it, but it does give encouragement, especially in showing that he too has and still does have blocks or writing problems. The fix is always hard work.
DISLIKE - Nothing to dislike. I found much to be gained from reading On Writing. It's a book that warrants a slow, thoughtful read and it will be a reference book on my shelf for years to come. It sold me on wanting to read some Stephen King novels! It's not like this book is at all a pitch for his novels, but with all of the references, it put me in the mood.
If there is drawback, it might be that the book is dated, written before this boom in self-publishing and e-readers. I'd love to hear how King's advice might have changed with this new landscape.
RECOMMEND - Yes. On Writing is a wonderful resource for new writers or writers wanting to take steps to get their stories published. The first half of the book is a must for all King fans, regardless of your desire to be a writer.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
King maybe talking `On writing' but this book is as much a biography and great fun for it. It is written like a novel and so much the bettered for it but a good index would be useful.
On Writing was written either side of a horrific injury to King. It should be read in that light. Kings writing is clear, crisp and moves. However the story meanders. Not being a horror fan, I don't know if this is unusual for King.
Section 1, Kings calls CV. It's more than that. Here King reveals what made him a writer. His childhood experiences are common many fiction writers. Fiction writers are people who dream whole worlds in their heads: Friends and foes, lovers and demons. People who needed to do that in their childhoods. Kings family moved from pillar to post, denying King the opportunity to make life long childhood friends. King had a brother, but one too much older to be a friend. People who had lonely periods in their childhoods, dreamy up substitutes. Many became great writers, like King.
Why a horror writer? If you had baby sitters who stuffed you full of sickly food then locked you in a dark wardrobe to vomit all over your mothers favorite shoes, falling asleep in fear, or a brother who used you as the test pilot for every crazy dangerous scheme he had, what would you write about? King's account of his childhood is hilarious. If he didn't write horror he would make a good humorist.
King went on to learn his craft in short story telling. An excellent apprenticeship. And he made money from despite critic's condemnation. That taught him who really counts in writing. He also taught. The best way to learn anything is to teach it.
Finally King shows that the key to success is believing in yourself or having someone close who does. For King it was his wife, who rescued his career from the bin into which he chucked it in desperation. A wife who has kept her belief ever since and is his first reader.
Section 2, King calls `On writing'. Lots of useful advice here. Some told by other authors on writing, some new. To hear it from a great writer is all the better.
I part with King when he says plot has no part in creative writing. It has. But probably a lesser role in horror fiction, where the shocks need to be more spontaneous. It seems clear to me that King does plot. He just doesn't dwell on it. Kings advice may be good for the genre in which he excels. Horror. Read it carefully and there is something for every writer.
I also part company with King when he argues that writers are born not learnt. That is nonsense. We can all learn if we work at it as hard as King has. If we are in the right place at the right time with the right story then every writer can be as successful as King. That is the luck of the draw. King admits it himself and his life shows that writers learn.
Kings greatest advice is edit, edit and edit. He bangs on about it. Rightly so.
Section 3, King calls `On Living'. Some critics complain that King goes on and on about the accident that nearly killed him. Walking up the road King was hit by a stupid van driver. Motorists get away far too easily. So I am pleased that King does go on about it. It's a revealing account of what it's like to be such a victim. Even here, the menace of King's writing rises from the ashes. He explains that at the end of writing the driver had died. For some inexplicable reason! Good for King.
A great book. A real laugh. A fascinating biography by one of today's greatest writers. Some great advice, showing that the best way to teach, is to entertain.
For Horror fans, 'On Writing' may sadly be the beginning of the end of King's horror stories. He has stepped out of the shadows, breaking the spell. King is a damn good writer and he shows in 'On Writing' that he is capable of writing in other genres. The name King is now the brand for excellence on horror, so he will probably have to change his name to change his genre.
just Jack
Top reviews from other countries
With heartfelt humor and humility, King outlines the crucial life events, raw talents, and relentless work ethic that enabled him to craft over 60 revered horror and suspense novels, sell over 350 million books, and achieve pop culture icon status. While acknowledging individual creative brilliance cannot be replicated, On Writing insightfully demystifies Stephen King’s methods and reveals his approach to the craft as an act of joy and discovery. Beyond concrete tips, it captures King’s sincerely held belief in writing fiction as a spiritual calling that confers lifelong meaning, not mere acclaim.
The memoir portion of On Writing tracks Stephen King’s development from childhood origins through decades of refining his signature horror, fantasy, and supernatural fiction style. In descriptive anecdotes, King pinpoints childhood experiences that sparked his prolific imagination, from adolescent discovery of iconic science fiction and horror creators like H.P. Lovecraft to real-life brushes with death that left an imprint.
He traces his earliest beginnings—scribbling short stories on a stolen typewriter—to first getting published in a horror fanzine. King outlines his initial years enduring constant rejection and relying on part-time jobs to scrape by as he slowly forged his unique literary voice. With self-deprecating humor, he confesses it took submitting a story over thirty times before making his first professional magazine sale.
Candidly, King also delves into periods of severe substance abuse and personal issues that nearly destroyed his burgeoning career. He is transparent about significant gaps in his memory and output during the 80s due to drug and alcohol issues. King poignantly describes the interventions by family and friends that finally prompted him to get sober, as well as his regret over lost time and productivity. By frankly recounting his struggles, he humanizes the pressures of dealing with spectacular literary success at a young age.
King also reflects thoughtfully on the wealth of life experience, both joyful and traumatic, that he channels creatively into his prolific output. Scenes from his Maine upbringing, relationships, parenting, and interests pepper the narrative, affirming how he transforms the mundane into the thrillingly bizarre.
Throughout the memoir, King repeatedly underscores that the impetus for writing comes from within, not a quest for fame or riches. He traces his irresistible urge to write fiction back to childhood delight in imagining stories, even before aspirations of being a published author entered the picture. King asserts that he writes compulsively simply because the act brings him happiness and a sense of purpose. In beautifully philosophical passages, he describes writing as a spiritual journey of exploration, both of the human condition and his own subconscious preoccupations. According to King, good fiction originates from curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives. He emphasizes embracing creativity for self-fulfillment first, then refining work to resonate for readers.
The second half of On Writing distills the pragmatic lessons Stephen King learned over decades of trial and error into an accessible writing guide. While acknowledging innate talent and inspiration can't be systematized, he offers plenty of concrete suggestions for improving any writer's craft. King stresses that above all, consistent dedication and work ethic separate serious writers from dabblers waiting on inspiration.
He advises diligently building writing routines: daily sessions of two to three hours, minimum word count targets, and treating writing like any other job. According to King, volume and repetition are key regardless of mood or muse. He urges writers to power through a first draft without excessive self-editing to get the raw story down on paper. Sensory details, lively dialogue, varied sentence structures, and ruthless editing are other skill areas he covers.
King goes beyond nuts-and-bolts techniques to passionately celebrate writing fiction as a noble pursuit driven by intuition, imagination, and childlike curiosity. He urges writers to explore the primal human need for storytelling, beyond surface commercial motives. King sees fiction as a unique path to emotional truth and wresting meaning from chaos. He becomes almost evangelical in advocating fiction writing as a path to purpose and lifelong creative development, regardless of public validation.
Throughout the guide portion, King pushes writers to mine their own experiences, quirks, and passions for material, rather than chasing trends. He sums up his advice as: “Write what you like, then imbue it with life and make it unique by blending in your own personal knowledge of life, friendship, relationships, sex and work.”
Accessible and generously insightful, On Writing continues to resonate with both aspiring authors and general readers over two decades after publication. Beyond a simple writing manual, it offers unprecedented access into the brilliant, yet utterly human, mind behind some of modern fiction’s most iconic works. For writers, the memoir provides inspiration through King’s stories of early struggles, while his concrete tips provide a flexible toolkit.
For fans, it provides a fascinating glimpse at the peculiar obsessions, quirky rituals, and redemptive habits underlying his creative output. Most rewardingly, On Writing explores the purposeful role of fiction writing in processing life’s chaos and horrors into meaningful narratives. Both memoir and guidebook, it reveals the alchemy of raw talent, dogged work ethic, personal experience, and joyful wonder that King channeled into a legendary career. Any reader comes away thoroughly convinced of his assertion that “writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art.”
In summary, On Writing by Stephen King remains an unparalleled classic of the writer’s memoir/guide genre by elucidating the many facets behind constructing compelling fiction. King’s intimate wisdom and transparent voice inspire through combining earnest memoir, pragmatic advice, passion for the craft, and philosophical insight. Beyond the secrets of his success, it captures the all-consuming personal fulfilment King derives from writing as his creative outlet.
For authors in any stage of development, On Writing provides both practical help and spiritual reassurance needed to nurture a writing life. Two decades later, newer generations of writers continue looking to the book as an essential roadmap and motivational touchstone. More than any formula, they take away King’s guiding principle: dedication to the daily writing journey itself ultimately matters more than any singular work or external measure of achievement.
King, a prolific author with over 200 novels and 64 published ones. What captivates readers is not just his literary achievements but his humor, resilience in the face of life's challenges, and profound love. He loves writing, his wife, his children, and the world. This love, reflected in his works, conveys the message that as long as there is kindness, love, and courage in the world, there's a chance for a triumphant comeback even in the most challenging circumstances.
Whether you're uncertain about pursuing writing or in need of motivation to continue, "On Writing" is a must-read. It's not just a guide; it's a source of joy and warmth. King's humor, unique to his style, provides a delightful reading experience. In essence, the book transcends its role as a writing guide; it's a journey into the heart and soul of one of literature's most beloved authors.
If you're seeking inspiration, laughter, or a glimpse into the warmth of the human experience, "On Writing" is an indispensable read. The book is a testament to the fact that, as Stephen King himself exemplifies, writing is not just a craft; it's an expression of love and resilience in the face of life's complexities.