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Summary: King squashes all the romantic crap about writers
Review: King kills all the romantic crap about the writer's lifestyle and confirms what other writers have said before -- If you want to make it as a writer, you had better love it, because the ability to enjoy sitting in a windowless room blasting your braincells and eyeballs on at least 2,000 words day after day for the rest of your natural, is a privilege enjoyed by only a special few.
If you're one of those, you'll soon know it, because you'll find yourself reading between 70 and 80 books a year, often at places like your mom's funeral, a date, or the five minutes of bliss in the waiting room before your tooth's pulled. If you don't relish the prospect - and King means REALLY RELISH IT, then writing's not for you.
Another book I recently enjoyed on much the same topic is "The World Is My Home" by one of the most prolific writers of all time, James A Michener. He says pretty much the same thing.
Incidentally, the only part of King's excellent book that grates is his use of "his/her", his/herself" and "he/she". While I'm sure many in our modern democracy empathise with the noble sentiment, CAN WE PLEASE AGREE ON A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SAKE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Even invent one, for chrissakes! Hell, Shakespeare did...
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Summary: *shock* Nonfiction from Stephen King
Review: The guy knows what he's doing. There are some who will look down on Stephen King because of his popularity, or for the fact that many of his books get classified as being 'Horror'. However, as a writer, Stephen King has truly been a force now for many, many years.This book is unique, because it isn't a strict memoir, nor is it merely a writer's manual. It succeeds because it is both, giving the reader insight both into the mechanics of the craft as well as an example of the personality that is infused into the writing. Both are essential for a great book. If books could merely be printed using an 'idea machine', you know that we would have invented some such already. At the same time though, anybody endeavouring to write needs to have the type of tools and discipline to be able to write something readable. I would recommend this book to anybody who is thinking of doing any sort of paid writing, because it is truly a glimpse into writing and a writer's world that isn't often offered.
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Summary: It resonates.
Review: No student of writing should miss this terrific memoir/primer because it is more than a how-to on the process; it is the "story" of how-to. The gems of wisdom abound in this one, the most important of which is probably "write because you love it, not to make money"--this from the most financially successful writer of all time. The master scribe tells all in a chatty, down-to-earth manner that dispenses with pretention and makes the learnin easy and the time fly all too fast. The whole book is great, but my favorite parts are his recollections of childhood: fartin Eulah-Beulah; those lying doctors; mad scientist brother Dave; Carrie, his first book sale; his introduction to alcohol; the sad scene on his mother's last day. Also important for me were his very clear explanations of how he came to write Carrie, The Stand, Mysery, The Dead Zone, From a Buick 8, and some of the pitfalls and changes of direction he encountered in the process. I was also pleased to learn that my favorite King book, the non-scary, non-thriller Dead Zone, is one he considers amnong his best. I have tried to convince people for years that Stephen King's secret is not in his imaginative (some say outlandish) plots, but in his emphasis on creating good characters. This book proves it. King is a great writer because he understands people, not monsters and aliens; and coming from a background such as his, we couldn't have expected any less. He was, and is, a family man, and families are made up of people. Thanks for letting us into your world for a little while, Mr. King. In your own words, this book "resonates." Pow!
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Summary: It is encouraging and inspiring
Review: Frankly, I have never read any of Mr. King's books. A few years back, my sister did gave me two or three his books, but they have been sitting on the shelf since.
I always wanted to become a writer. The first part of the title "On writing" was more attractive to me than the second part "A momoir of the craft". I have the download version because I simply could not find time to read - I have a mile- long reading list yet to be finished. The audio was read by Mr. King himself. He was a wonder narrator.
As a striving writer, it is encouraging to know that Mr. King was a nobody just like one of us. He had reached success and fame not because he was lucky, but because he had never given up. Mr. King gave hints and tips but did not intend to spoon-feed the aspiring writers.
I had the chance to browse through the printed version in the bookstore and noticed there was a reading list at the end showing what kind of books Mr. King reads. I feel this is a good suggestion for the want-to-be writers, not that they should read all these books, but that they could compare the choice as related to the genre they are interested.
I am listening to the audio for the third time, and considering getting the printed version as well.
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Summary: Yeah, it's good
Review: I reluctantly liked this book a lot. I am not, contrary to the rest of America, a Stephen King fan. I simply don't like his genre, though I will admit I don't have much room to talk since I've only read a couple of his books. Not liking his writing much, I was not expecting to like his book about writing (sounds logical, right?). Well, lo and behold, this is actually a good book. King gives good advice on the dos and don'ts of writing. Write for yourself. Write what you want to write. Excellent, age-old advice (that I live by), and it's refreshing to hear it from someone so obscenely rich from their worldwide published writing. Though the book is probably three-fourths autobiography and the other fourth about writing, I still found the book informative in a funny and entertaining sort of way. I recommend the book to those looking to learn more about Stephen King and those looking to learn more about writing and the long road to the publishing process.
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Summary: Excellent book.
Review: Ok, I gotta be honest. Normally, I'm not in any way shape or form into non fiction, but this book kicks [rear]. Stephen King talks about his experiences in the publishing world, his writing hints and tips, and plus his ability and complete truthfullness that he expresses in telling the hard core truth that there's a good chance that as a writer you won't make any money, unless you do, then you're very lucky. I'm a fiction writer myself, and this book had definately changed the way that I write. For instance, he had said that you have to "Show" The reader your story, you can't just "Tell" The reader your story. For instance, you can't just say "The princess was locked up in the castle and was kept there for an eternity" You have to show, show, show, the reader that. That wasn't an example, the whole princess thing, I just made that up to make an example. And I believe it is true.
Also, he tells us about some of his past memories as a child. Some of the stuff that he tells us about his life are often sad, but the way he gives hints on writing is amazing. If you're a writer, this is undoubtedly a book for you. I'm not into Kings horror novels too much, (well, I kinda am, but then again not, since sometimes his books can be good and bad at the same time) but this book totally rocks. Pick it up, that's all that I can say.
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Summary: Will Instill Hope into everyone!!!
Review: Stephen King is one of the worlds most recognised authors of the 20th/21st century. 'On Writing' is King sharing with you some of the memorable moments of his life which would eventually lead him to pen the vast amounts of best-sellers he has. Also sharing 'tips' in writing style that could help make you a better writer. Ending with an account of his accident which nearly killed him. Set out in three parts. The first deals with Kings past with memoirs from his childhood right up to his current life. You will find this part extrememly hilarious. King's sense of humour shines through making you totally enrapt in his life adventures. The second part, 'On Writing', deals with how the reader should go about writing a story/novel. This is very interesting even if you're not planning on doing any writing, but for any budding writers it should be thought of as some sort of secret bible. Everything he tells you is in a conversational and humourous tone and does not come across like a boring text-book. The third part deals with his accident and his amazing recovery. He sounds a bit bitter about this - I wonder why? This book is recommended, not only to budding writers, but to everyone. It will instill hope into you alongside an incredibly entertaining read. Best read in a long time!!!!
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Summary: Worth The Read
Review: I just finished this book today. If you are an aspiring writer I highly recommend it. Even if you are not an aspiring writer, you'll enjoy King's early childhood and life reminiscences, and his recalling his horrible run-in with the infamous van and rottweiler. I have to admit this is the first Stephen King book I have ever read. I have wanted to be a published writer since I was a little girl, and Mr. King offers up some valuable tips and advice. In closing I want to add that I am very impressed with the marriage between Mr. King and his wife, Tabitha. She was always supportive of his desire to write, and I'm sure she is a major reason he became the success he did. His love and admiration for her is apparent throughout this book.
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Summary: Essential for any aspiring writer!
Review: Whether you like Stephen King as a writer or not, "On Writing" is a must in your personal library. King gives in this book a view of how he managed to build the necessary discipline for his "craft" as a one of the best-selling fiction writers of all time. You'll especially appreciate his advise on drafts, language, character development, and even some tips on how to make your work accesible to publishing houses and literary agents. It's like being on a workshop with the King himself. Fun to read, insightful, and useful for any aspiring writer, no matter the genre.
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Summary: An excellent glimpse into an author's life
Review: This book is a fun read. The first part is autobiographical, with a focus on how he became the writer that he is. I've read many of King's novels and short stories, but I was genuinely surprised and pleased at the way King can tell a tale in his own voice and from his own point of view. The second part of the book is devoted to King's ruminations on the craft of writing. He offers some great advice, but he is VERY regimented and inflexible on his view of how to write. The insight is valuable enough, but it would have been nicer if he left a little room for other possible perspectives instead of setting down several almost random rules (watch TV less and read more, write in complete isolation with the door closed, don't write in public places) and declaring "This is how you write!" On the other hand, I suppose that many who buy this book may want exactly that- a step-by-step, hand-holding procedure spelled out for them. At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed (re-)discovering King through this book.
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