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Summary: Advice from one's who's been there, done that.
Review: Let me begin by saying I'm not a fan of Stephen King. Nothing against him, I'm just not interested in the genre he typically writes in. I've not really seen any of the movies based on his books, except for the first half of Carrie, (the old one), the whole Carrie, made for TV version, the last part of misery, and Rose Red.But I was eager to get a book on writing written by one of the most famous writers of our time. King's writing is simple, straight-forward, and just plain blunt. He cuts to the quick, but makes it easy to understand why some people, no matter how hard they try, will never be great writers, but a few can be good. Even more, he illustrates from his own life how writing is, and how it comes to be, and how it can affect one's life. Finally, King was right to pay tribute to Elements of Style, by Strunk and White, the essential tool for all writers.
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Summary: This book change my life: Thanks, Stephen
Review: I'm an aspiring author of Venezuela, South America. This book change my mind about the art of writing. It`s very useful.
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Summary: Best Book I've ever read about Writing
Review: Oh, My God... This book is good, no...great! If you're an aspiring author READ THIS BOOK. Mr. King is the Man with the Plan!
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Summary: If you don¿t have time to read, you don¿t have time to write
Review: The book opens with something that can best be described as King's first attempt to his memoirs. Starting with the description of what he thinks are his first memories, he guides us through his youth of poverty, a time in which he started to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. In a colourful narrative he deals with the darkest period of his life, showing that nothing can steal away his energy to prove himself. When he is financially at his lowest point, a first success as an author is about to happen: the publishing of Carrie. In the second part of this book Stephen King opens Fazza's writing toolbox. Not to give you a textbook version of a "Creative Writing" course, but simply to share his enthusiasm with anyone who dreams of becoming a writer. But that is not all. In a friendly and almost intimate way he shows you the nastiest pitfalls of the craft: adjectives, passive sentences, dialogue, grammar, etc... Then he shows you his opinions on plotting, 'colourful' language, the theme of a story and much more. The list of topics he is willing to address is far from complete, but he certainly covers all the things he thinks are of importance (or the topics of which he has something interesting to say, that is...). This book is inspiring and enriching for everybody who has at some point tried to write a story (or even a novel). After reading this book you just cannot stop the urge to take some paper and start writing. If you ever need to pump-up your motivation to write, read this book! You will not be disappointed. And never forget: "If you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write." As an extra bonus you get the complete story behind Stephen King's live threatening accident in midyear of 1999, when he was run down by a blue van. This book was serialized in the New Yorker.
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Summary: Not a King fan, but...
Review: I'm not a big Stephen King fan - haven't read any of his books since middle school - but I found this really refreshing. His bio (the first half) dragged on a bit, but would probably be really interesting for fans. The second half - when he talks about the writing process - had some good tips, different from those I've read in other how-to writing books. Tips about where to write and how to approach the craft of storytelling that I actually have found useful. He uses frank language and a conversational style and it is a relatively quick read. Mostly relevant for fiction writers, but others might find it useful, too.
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Summary: Readable, and Funny
Review: I don't particularly like Stephen King's books or writing, but I really enjoyed this one. It is basically in two parts - his journey with writing and advice for writers. It is very readable and quite funny. Although this is a hack way to simply this book, a few points: 1) Writing is like a fossil. The skill of writing is comparable to an archeologist's skill in unearthing the fossil without damaging it. 2) Read a lot and write a lot. There are no shortcuts. 3) Create truthful characters and exciting situations and let them lead your writing. Plot will develop itself. 4) The writer and the reader meet halfway. As a writer, set the stage and call the reader to you. 5) It's always about the story. 6) Show don't tell. 7) Write until it the book is finished without sharing it with others. Then take two weeks off to digest and reassess. Then edit mercilessly and take 10% out.
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Summary: Enjoyable, helpful read
Review: This is the only book of Stephen King's I have been able to read cover to cover. I find his subject matter generally difficult to stomach. However, on a long camping trip last summer I picked it up at the general store to have something to read. I am a writer myself, and this book increased my admiration of Mr. King's great imagination and writing ability. (Yes, I do admire him for that, I just dislike his choice of subject matter at times.) The book is absolutely inspiring! It's not a textbook on how to become a writer, but it is very helpful. Instruction is broken up by entertaining anecdotes. It is a very insightful look into the minds of one of America's most successful contemporary fiction writers. I recommend it for any writer or fan of Stephen King's.
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Summary: Simple and true.....
Review: Starting with his first book last year, CARRIE, I've made my way through most of Stephen king's novels--I have a few to go. I can say that King has improved over the years and in recent years slumped a bit. This audio book gives wonderful insight on what circumstances shaped King's life, and what contributed to his zest for the written word. King delves into his past and conjures up instances that are often funny and heartwarming. King is honest about his past and the triumphs and tribulations that have made him one of the most popular novelists of the day. Aspiring writers, such as myself, will benefit from the book as King gives a summation, or a small blueprint on how to get started in the business. For anyone diving into this work looking to find a blueprint for success, give it up!! Like King states, opportunities take time to manifest and most often they come from nowhere. The listener will be given a brief background on King and the many people who have either contributed to his success, or hindered his writing. I was deeply moved by King's description of the accident and his candor in explaining the details surrounding the travesty that almost ending his career and his life. I'm 26 now, and I'm very thankful that I borrowed this audio book from my father; it moved me in ways that I didn't think possible. It can be taken as inspiration to write, or it can give a person some insight into an influential writer and wonderful man.
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Summary: What a relief for writers!
Review: In the past few months I've read book after book that tells you that you must do this, you must do that. You must write out a 300 page synopsis before you can even begin writing. You must have 90 notecards on every minor character to know where you're going. You must write a notebook full of your character's history before really knowing them inside and out. It's enough to make the budding novelist go absolutely insane! I picked up Stephen King's 'On Writing' on a whim. I'm not a King fan -- my tastes are Sci/Fi & Fantasy & Romance. But I wanted to read what a bestselling author had to say about his craft, as most of the 'How To' books out there are by nobody you've ever heard of. He had me immediately hooked. As a writer, this book is a must-buy. Not only do you hear about everything Stephen King struggled through to get his book published, but he also gives you tips and tricks that he's learned along the way. Don't want to write an outline? Don't. Don't want to write about your character's grandfather's past? Don't bother. It's OKAY! Instead of bogging down the wannabe writer with 'surefire' methods, he discusses things most get hung up on, like dialogue, description, grammar, building characters, linking ideas, etc. He doesn't tell you that you MUST do it this particular way. Rather, he discusses what has worked for him, what he's learned through the business, and gives a few tidbits of advice along the way. It's entertaining, and it's flat out wonderful. It made me very relieved, as a stressed out writer. I went out and immediately threw away my notecards and my outlines. To heck with 'em! The first half of the book deals with King's early life and his struggles to get published, and then when he has a good basis set up, he swoops into the writing do's and don'ts. If you're a struggling writer that's struggling to find a decent book on the craft, please pick this one up. I cannot recommend it enough. I've read it twice already and I'm thinking about reading it again. It really is that helpful, I promise you. Not because it tells you exactly what to do, but because a bestselling author is telling you that you're NOT doing it wrong like all those other books say!
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Summary: King's Feast
Review: Reading King's "On Writing," I was reminded of Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast." Now, there are of course obvious differences. King is a master storyteller, but Hemingway is...well...Hemingway. But still, there is this thread running through them both that portrays both of them as portraits of these two men's lives as writers. King's book more specifically plays to the Wanna-Be Writer audience, but as I was reading Hemingway's book I honestly felt like Hem was talking about my world, about being a young person trying to devote themselves to Art. King treats everything with candor and humor. Struggling with rejection and later drug abuse, King gives us short passages about huge parts of his life and how they affected his writing. I remember vivivdly reading how he has forgotten writing the book Cujo because of his substance abuse problem and feeling this well of sympathy rise in me. The part on writing itself is good advice for writers but it isn't anything revolutionary (the piece of advice he seems to repeat more than anything else is to read Strunk and White). And King's struggles, including recovering from his famous almost-fatal car accident, expressed (usually understated) with clarity and humanity. A must-read.
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