Rating: 
Summary: Words that pierce the heart
Review: Among modern literature, far and awat the liveliest genres are science-fiction and horror-fiction -- and of the two, the literature of horror, AKA horror & supernatural fiction, is the most robust and vital of the two. The best of those who write horror fiction are often well-represented in other genres, as well -- Stephen King is perhaps the most outstanding modern American representative of this phenomenon. His autobiographical ON WRITING, which offers an outstanding window on his many talents, also gives the reader glimpses into the author's soul that are almost painfully honest, entirely lacking in the sort of self-serving vanity that is usually all too evident in most popular autobiographical works available today. Like his fiction, which is at least as much concerned with "cosmic wonder" in a post-Lovecraftian sense as it is with horror, ON WRITING is a riveting read, an archetypal example of King's work in particular and that of horror writers in general. Someone asked me, awhile back, "Why the hell do you read this stuff, anyway? Why not a nice Barbara Courtland novel or something?", referring to the work of King and his colleagues, in particular King's ON WRITING. To paraphrase, W. B. Yeats, it is because "[t]hey have words that can pierce the heart / And what can [the others] do but touch?" To my mind, there's no other good reason to prefer one author over any other.
Rating:
Summary: A Stephen King Reader Everyone Can Enjoy
Review: Living in Maine for 25 years may not qualify me as a real "Mainer", because the standards for this elite title are very strict, but my tenure in Stephen King's home gives me some exposure to the life story told in "On Writing". What a clever way to tell fans and the otherwise curious about how a very poor young man who went to school in tiny Pownal, Maine and who later worked as a janitor for nearby Brunswick High School became a world famous super-writer. Among all the reviews I've read about Stephen King's very candid account of the writing craft, I'm still looking for one that tells the truth about the story itself. I am so very impressed by how King is able to paint his life as a Mainer (he passes the test, being born in the state) and transmit the colorful pictures of people and places in exactly the way they really are. Other than the love King expresses for his wife and family, there's no romanticism in "On Writing". Still, in the absence of any embellishment, King writes a wonderful and inspiring story for everyone who either wants to be a writer or who wonders what stuff the crafters are made of. Kudos to the University of Maine where King's writing talent was validated by the English Department professors. There's a parallel story in "On Writing". Indeed, the book's title is hyphenated, "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft", because this is an autobiographical way of saying what seems right, or not so right, about writing. Thankfully, it's a lovely read and not at all self gratifying or congratulatory in any way. As a matter of fact, the story King tells ends with a chilling rendition about his tragic accident while walking along the road in Western Maine. King doesn't take a minute to indulge in self pity, despite having a very close brush with death as a result of the accident. There's a rhetorical question raised, of course, about how we would have known about those rats in the cellars of the mills in Lisbon Falls or those tampons in the girl's gym in Brunswick High School and how these experiences inspired "Carrie" and other horror tales. If King had not been spared and survived his tragedy, we would not have the joy of knowing what it's like to live inside the mind of a creative writing genius. Thanks so much, Stephen King, for "On Writing". It's a book everyone can read to appreciate your creativity and the deep respect you obviously hold for the craft of being a hard working writer.
Rating: 
Summary: For what it is, a good book
Review: For what it is, this is a good book and well written. 'For what it is?' Yes. As far as it goes it's a reasonable primer on how King writes and a candid summary of his life, including horrific booze and drug problems. But writers wanting help with career choices are unhelped. Dozens of writing careers are open to those who have a facility with words. King deals with none except writing horror novels. It's what he knows, apparently all he knows.
King's attitude on editing needs help, too. Unless possessing unnatural chutzpah, a quality writer must edit and re-edit word by word, line by line, many times, before final draft. Poor editing is like failure to finish a project, just 'roughing in' parts that seem unimportant. Readers always know better in any subject requiring careful research and writing; readers lost through inattention to detail are rarely recovered after a book has been tossed across the room. This matters little to King since his genre is horror fantasy (few rules, few facts).
Another aspect of the book disappoints: King tells us too little of the biggest challenge facing today's writers: the almost impossible task of finding a capable, professional agent. He gives this area a mere 'lick and a promise' and the story of his composite writer, 'Frank,' rings hollow. Agents are the publishing indusry's gatekeepers; without one a writer is virtually condemned to wasting time at the word processor. It's simple economics. Publishers cannot afford to screen the huge volume of unsolicited ms coming in daily and consigned to the 'slush pile,' though they know much fine writing lies buried there. Today's writing markets, unless you are established or a celebrity, is 'pull' and not 'push.' If you're a fad phenom, you may be pulled. If not, you will more likely starve.
Many are called, few chosen. Luck is as important as skill. King carefully avoids this painful reality, identical in essentially every other career in the arts.
Rating:
Summary: More than Simply A Book About Writing......
Review: "On Writing" is more than simply a book about writing, it is a primer for loving life.I must admit right away that I am not a Stephen King fan: I have not read any of his books before this one! I did enjoy several movie adaptations of his work AND I was not brave enough to read the pages from his *frightening* books. So I was quite intrigued by this thoughtfully written, very funny, self reflective book which is as much as a love story as it is about the craft of writing. Deeper than Mr. King's love of writing, I experienced his satisfying, long love for his wife, Tabitha. I find myself curious about HER work now as well! Also, I connected with the LOVE of writing simply for the joy of writing...as well as the healing quality of writing....simply for writing's sake. Read it!! Read it!! Read it!!
Rating:
Summary: Anyone remotely interested in King should read this
Review: This book is a very enjoyable read. It's partly a memoir and partly a workshop on how to write- both parts are enjoyable and very interesting. It was a lot of fun to hear the stories about King as a child, teenager, and young man struggling to scrape together a living and anxious to get his work published. Apparently the man is human after all, since we get to see him as vulnerable, with an uncertain future, before he was able to establish himself. My guess is that he eventually would have succeeded even without "Carrie", since I think he's a special talent who would have persevered in his writing and would eventually have been recognized. His advice on writing is particularly interesting, even if you're not an aspiring writer- it gives the reader a new lens through which to view his stories. Overall, an excellent read. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King is brilliant
Review: Stephen King's quirky style of writing had me in the first chapter. He really bares his soul and humiliation as a writer in the first part of this book, from working jobs to survive, to rejections, to finally getting published and the elation that followed. As a writer, I could really relate to this part of the book. The second part is filled with the basics of storytelling for struggling writers seeking publication. He writes in a no-nonsense fashion and does not cushion his words or advice. He uses his own life of writing as examples of the lessons he conveys to the reader. Over all, this book was probably the most delightful and helpful book for writers that I've ever read. I call it the writer's bible and I believe every writer, struggling or published, should own a copy of this marvelous guide.
Rating:
Summary: peice of his mind
Review: the focus dives in and out of the drive to write and the experience of his own books. interesting approach and a nice touch that he shows the foundation of a good learning and teaching experience that helped shape his methods even if they were rejections and critical examinations of his work. the point he shows that to continue even thru adversity is of utmost importance.
Rating:
Summary: Is This For Real?
Review: You can say what you want about Stephen King... But the man knows how to tell stories that people like to read. He certainly didn't have to write this book, but he did. I personally think novice writers could learn a thing or two from Mr. King... ON WRITING is part autobiography, part writing guide. In the autobiography section (which is mostly about writing), I really enjoyed learning how King started writing as the result of several childhood illnesses. Early on, he wrote for his friends, his school paper, and his mom. After his mom read one of his early stories, King says "She said it was good enough to be in a book. Nothing anyone has said to me since has made me feel any happier." In and out of the principal's office for his writing in The Village Vomit, working and writing in a laundromat, the sale of his first story...it's all here and it's all entertaining. (It's worth the price of the book just to read King's reaction to the sale of his first novel 'Carrie.') "Toolbox" is a short section consisting of several of King's thoughts on grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and the author's burning hatred of adverbs. "On Writing," the third and final part of the book is devoted to the craft of writing. Rather than summarize what's there, I thought I'd try to give you a taste of the book by including several of King's quotes on various writing issues: The book-reading public: "Book buyers aren't attracted, by and large, by the literary merits of a novel; (they) want a good story to take with them on the airplane." Plotting: "I believe plotting and the spontaneity of real creation aren't compatible...There is a huge difference between story and plot. Story is honorable and trustworthy; plot is shifty, and best kept under house arrest." Description: "Description begins with visualization of what it is you want the reader to experience. It ends with your translating what you see in your mind into words on the page." Dialogue: "Dialogue is a skill best learned by people who enjoy talking and listening to others - particularly listening, picking up the accents, rhythms, dialect, and slang of various groups." Research: "I simply made up all the stuff I didn't know." (!) Classes/workshops: "You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons are the ones you teach yourself." Getting published: "The most important thing you can do for yourself is read the market." "If I have to tell you, I lose. If...I can show you...I win." I read this book three years ago for pleasure when I was not writing. I enjoyed it, but it didn't really mean much to me at the time. Since becoming a writer, the book is one I knew I had to own. I admit it, I read a lot of King when I was younger and I still pick up one of his books or stories from time to time. Do I think he's a great writer? I don't think that's the question. I think the question is, "What can Stephen King teach me about how to become a better writer?" The answer, at least for me, is practical, no-nonsense information from a regular guy (a very rich regular guy, mind you) to another regular guy. I'll take that any day. 297 pages
Rating:
Summary: Honest and raw
Review: To abide by Mr. King's advice, I'll cut out the unnecessary bull.... I have never read a Stephen King fiction novel, but I read this fantastic book. If you like to laugh, this is for you. If you like to learn, this is for you. If you'd like insight into one of the most profitable writers of all time, this is for you. Told straightforward and honest. Motivating and sobering.
Rating: 
Summary: A concise journey through the mind of an author
Review: This book puts forth in clear terms how Stephen started his journey in writing, and goes on to suggest how to improve your own writing. He gives nice examples and tips on what to do if you're starting out, both in presenting it to possible publishers and agents, and in just telling a good story. The big secret King reveals; read a lot and write a lot. This is the path to successful writing according to King, and great advice to anyone who wants to write, either for fun or for a profession. I recommend this book for beginners in the popular fiction writing field.
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