Twentieth Anniversary Edition with Contributions from Joe Hill and Owen KingONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S TOP 100 NONFICTION BOOKS OF ALL TIME Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King’s critically lauded, million-copy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work. “Long live the King” hailed …
“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.
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Even if you aren’t a writer, you’ll find this book very entertaining. Many of the tips and tricks Stephen King recommends I still use, even though I read the book years ago, like letting your manuscript ‘rest’ for at least three months before editing, so the material is reviewed with fresh eyes. Great book for all.
Stephen King has been through a lot (my NYC doctor met him after his near-fatal accident when she was a student doctor in Boston) and gives a fascinating description of his life and work. Well worth reading, even if you don’t intend to write a novel. If you do intend to write a novel, “On Writing” will give you some information and encouragement.
This book was very helpful in my understanding of a writing process AND providdd some insight to Mr King
One of the best books written on the art of writing.
Of all the many, many books on writing I’ve read, this one stands out from all the rest. I think it’s because Stephen King personalizes it. It doesn’t just tell you what to do to be a good writer, it draws you in and lets you connect with the author. This book inspires me to WRITE more than any other.
I recommend it to all the students in my writing workshops. This book is a must read!
Although at least a third of the book is about his childhood, I didn’t care, I’ve read this several times and am incorporating the lessons in my own writing.
This is both a memoir and a book on writing. Read it even if you are not a fan of Stephen King.
Great advice from the master himself – loved it. And yep – we all hate editing.
If anybody has the right to give writerly advice based solely on success, Stephen King is one of them. With so many novels and short stories under his belt, King offers the collected wisdom, both learned and discovered.
The opening half is a look back on major events that helped to shape King as a writer, and you can see how even the little things, things seemingly unimportant or silly, can influence somebody and really leave a mark on them. From silly stories to ones that make you laugh or even cringe, the first half of this book is a treasure trove of personal experience.
The second part of this book offers answers to commonly asked questions. The advice is solid, though I don’t agree with all of it. However, not everybody writes or thinks in the same way, so naturally nobody will agree with every bit of another person’s philosophy.
This book is a fun read as well as an informative one. I suggest it to anybody who has questions about writing. Well worth the time it takes to get through it.
This book is for the hopeful writer. Mr. King does a great job of explaining things with simple words and giving many examples.
The real story – unfettered truth – of the “writing life”. All the nuts & bolts from inspiration to avoiding pitfalls by one of the world’s best word-craftsmen… Its a one-sided conversation with Stephen King that every writer should read (with pen & highlighter in hand).
I don’t actually read Stephen King because I’m not into horror stories, but this was more of a memoir + advice on writing. It was fascinating, and it really made me like him as a person. He just seems like someone I’d enjoy hanging out with.
Stephen King gives practical advice about writing and makes it an enjoyable read. It’s a memoir also so I learned a lot about the person and what events created the writer the world knows.
Amazing and honest. Still applicable for new writers today.
I am enjoying this book immensely. King writes about his background in such a way you can see how his own mind developed; trouble he got into as a kid because of a mind full of ideas with no clue about the consequences. He grew up in the beginning of the age of color TV and movies. His imagination had to find outlets; he sees to have reinvented the wheel in his own way, not knowing that the wheel was already there but hidden from him. Everything was new for him. He just did stuff. With an attitude like that there’s nothing a person can’t do that their conscience will allow.
I can’t wait to read more. This is not only a biography of sorts, but the path he walked in his writing career. A writer must find their own path, and it’s okay not to know it all before you start walking. Naivety is not a sin. You may see that which others miss.
Thank You Stephen King.
Kristen Barney
Enough of King’s backstory to be interesting and a whole tool box of great inspiration to keep on writing.
Must-read for Stephen King fans.