On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful to aspiring writers...
Review: Normally, I'm not a big Stephen King fan, but I found this book one day when browsing through the bookstore and picked it up. Part-autobiography and part-writing advice, this is very helpful to hopeful writers. Packed with good advice, as well as stories about his own writing experiences, it is sure to inspire anybody to get down to work. As an aspiring novelist myself, this book definitely inspired me and got me to look more critically at my own work. And I suggest college students majoring in creative writing to read this.

It's definitely worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Another Dose of King Magic
Review: I have always appreciated Stephen King's novels. Not only are his stories great, but he makes it seem so easy. It is as if anyone could write a good horror novel, but then when you set your mind to it you realize that King's formula 'one word at the time' isn't as effective and simple as King makes it sound.
In this book Stephen King makes a serious attempt of trying to explain his magic. There are many great tips on how to fulfil your dream of becoming a writer that are just as simple and effective as his original formula 'one word at the time'. I think that there is much more to it than just sittng down and beginning to write. And Stephen King tells us that to become a writer it is necessary to read a lot and to write a lot: I think that this is the real formula for becoming a writer, with a mixture of the right amount of talent and a wild imagination.
So in the sense of helping you to become a writer I do not think that this book has much to offer. But this does not make "On Writing" less great as a book. It is a Stephen King book, and a good one. It is autobiographical in the sense that King reflects on his own relations to writing. He begins by describing his earliest memories of his childhood to his first writing success "Carrie" up until the moment when he is in the hospital writing this book. The book is filled with King humor. The babysitter scene, in which she would sit on little Stevie's head and fart still makes me laugh out loud.
This is a book that is easily devoured, and it is very entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable read
Review: An excellent book. I was half expecting to find myself reading a mundane book about the nuts and bolts of writing. Instead, I found myself in an intriguing biography, then getting a from-the-heart message about writers being honest, with a few tips about style and delivery. This book teaches a great deal, in its own way.

To the critics here who say this book doesn't tell you how to write - well, the title is "On writing", and the book is "On writing", so you haven't been cheated. The book wasn't called "How to write".

One mark of a good book is that it interests and entertains the reader. This one certainly does. The author has made the effort to interest and entertain first of all, which is one reason why he has made it to becoming a successful writer.



Rating:
Summary: A Waste of Paper
Review: This was definitely the least informative book on writing I have ever read. I picked up a grand total of one tip, and that was so ordinary that I didn't bother writing it down when I gave the book away to a charity shop.

Rating:
Summary: King inspires prospective authors to write the Truth
Review: I've never been fond of Stephen King's works.

That's not to say I don't have tremendous respect for the man. Heck, I'm green with envy over his success. I'm not quite as envious over his scriptwriting career, but that's still more produced scripts than I have (0). There are exactly two stories I've read that I actually enjoyed: the short story "The Cat from Hell" and the novel "The Eyes of the Dragon." A lot of people have read "The Eyes of the Dragon," so I won't dwell on it other than to say that it's a fantasy novel and not a bad one at that.

Virtually no one has heard of "The Cat from Hell," which I stumbled across as a child looking for short stories about fantastic characters. Boy did I get one, a terrifying tale of an assassin hired to execute a cute little kitty that turns out to be far more dangerous than anyone could ever imagine. I don't think Mr. King doesn't like cats.

Anyway, what I've since read from King since often seemed like it meandered. Where "The Cat from Hell" was a tight, gripping story, there has since been a lot of farting, nose picking, and other silliness interspersed through King's novels that turn me off. It's like a kid making farting sounds with his armpit during a scary movie...hard to be scared when someone's giggling behind you.

On Writing explains King's approach and more. It also sums up a lot of King's life, a life that would make exceptionally fertile material for his later horror movies. Most significantly, the book is refreshingly honest. King doesn't think his works are masterpieces, but he does believe he is an artist and a successful one. He talks about it like it is, explaining what it takes to be a writer and more significantly, what will make you a GOOD writer. King has little respect for writing classes. In fact, one could argue On Writing is the first and last book anyone needs about writing.

For King, the most important aspect of writing is telling the truth: about oneself, about what you know, about whom you know, and how you know it. His clear-minded approach cuts through the usual claptrap about high art, English teacher sophisms, and notions about what it means to be a "success." King really gives it his all, baring his heart and soul and admitting to some very nasty things in his life that nearly ended his career.

Then King was hit by a van.

That last chapter is riveting, not the least of which is because it is as if the book's wisdom is put to the test. King, in detail that only he can describe, explains just what happened. And it all seems a lot like his novels, a real life horror story.

The highest compliment I can give this book is that it sent me straight back to my writing, the "closed door" kind, the kind written for the Ideal Reader, the kind that is what I know not what I think I should know.

King inspires prospective authors to write the Truth. And that's more valuable than all his other books put together.

Rating:
Summary: You have to read it
Review: The first half is autobiographical, and I'm willing to bet you'll never see Stephen King in the same light after reading it. Many people view rich, successful authors as some kind of pampered royalty, but this book shows just how much hard work it takes to get to the very top.

The second half is stunning, but in a different way. Preconceptions about writing are nailed to the wall and shot full of holes, and you come away with a realistic grounding in the writing game. Scented writing paper and lavender coloured ink are nowhere to be seen.

Rating:
Summary: A superbly entertaining novel by Steven King
Review: I usually don't read books often, and when I do I normally am not very into it. I bought a copy of "on writing", and as I flipped through the pages this novel seemed to captivate me. In a very unique manner steven King employs both a lesson to the aspirin writer and a autobiography which presets a little information about his life as well. The advice given in this book should not be missed by anybody. Reading this book gave me more confidence in my capabilities as a writer-reading a book like this could do the same for you. Steven Kings on writing is a great novel, and it finds ways to amaze even the most hateful readers(literally). Use me as an example.

Rating:
Summary: Charmingand Insightful
Review: I have no desire to become a writer and I've never read a single novel by Stephen King (not really into horror). I read this book because I wanted to learn more about King and it's always good to hear a master talk about his craft. This book succeeds on both accounts. The autobiographical parts of the book are charming and insightful and the instructive sections contain bits of knowledge that anyone can use. Now I will definitely read some of his novels.

Rating:
Summary: Not One of My Favorite Authors, but King Knows His Craft
Review: Like many of the other buyers of this book, I was hoping for insight into how King writes, how he's made his fortune, how he kicks out idea after idea. Luckily, he doesn't reveal any of that, at least not in the form expected.

The book is mostly a personal bio of the man behind the books, his struggle as a former "average Joe," how he toiled like the rest of us until his skill and determination got him where he is today. It's his unexpected honesty, straightforwardness, and realism that make reading this work invaluable. He admits what other authors of "writing books" don't. He tells us the writing life is frickin' hard and instead of looking for an easy way through, we should learn to love our chosen path and use the skills we have to derive the desired benefits from our own careers.

There are a few sections of style guidance included, nothing more than you'd find in an academic style guide. Here, King confirms that the key to success is your own wealth of ideas, ability to be based in the real world while creating alternate worlds just as real for your reader, and putting your whole self on the page.

Kudos to King on a valuable book...if only I could get through more than just one of his actual fiction stories....

Rating:
Summary: Straight Shooter
Review: Anyone who loves Stephen King will enjoy reading this book whether they're a writer or not. And though I admit I'm addicted to reading books on writing, I loved the (Second Forward). It is a memoir sprinkled with writing tips; I love the fact that he included some " raw edited" writing in it to show you how writing develops. Many think it just "flows out from the muse..done".

Also a list of books recommended by Stephen King that he read "I believe" in the past year. Some good suggestions there too.

Bravo to a writer that has earned his laurels and can wear them proudly. When I used to drive an eighteen wheeler, I spent much time loading and unloading, so a had time to read. Never, never read King at night. Too DARN scary. King is underrated. Just because he is popular. He's a *#@!%$^^%$#$# good writer! If you don't believe it read "The Stand"; "The Green Mile", "Carrie", or "Dolores Clairborne"---Or "Shawshank Redemption". King did NOT have anything handed to him on even a tin platter; he and Tabitha earned everything they have through hard work and sacrifice and still give away smiles and "scares" to others. He's proof that behind every great man may be two women: his Mother and Tabitha.
A mucho big fan. I've met your buddy Dave Barry. Would love to get a book signed by the King. Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed another non-fiction King book: "Dance Macabre"
Steven, seriously do you write in your bathtub, while mowing the grass, at the breakfast table, in the _____________bedroom. In an ambulance on the way the the hospital. Does you typwriter even have an off button?

An admirer still haunted by the old lady in the bathtub in the hotel who appeared to the boy. Damn Scary.