Rating: 
Summary: This will break your writer's block!
Review: I am not a Stephen King fan. Well, I didn't use to be. I don't know what inspired me to buy this other than that I'm a fiction writer myself. It was a surprising treat! I couldn't put the book down, and in fact as soon as I was done I went out and bought one of King's novels ('Insomnia', since I'm not really into horror).The first part of the book is mainly biographical. I had no idea that King had been so incredibly destitute before selling his first novel. It is funny as hell and very inspirational to read where King started and how he got to where he is today. The second half is where he becomes a teacher, trying to coax creativity and motivation from the reader. I daresay it works. He has an exercise in the book to demonstrate how he deals with plot and situations - I immediately sat in front of my computer with his scenario and was off writing. About 45 minutes later I had a complete story, start to finish, that was actually kind of decent! This book won't teach you how to write, and it won't make a published author out of a sow's ear. But if you like to write but need a bit of a kick in the pants, this is a good book to read. You'll enjoy it, and if you're not too stubborn you might actually want to do some new writing upon finishing it.
Rating:
Summary: Great writing guide
Review: This is an exceptional book on the craft of writing. Stephen King guides you on the road he traveled to become a great writer. This book does not only oultine the tricks of the trade, but goes further to explain the many aspects of writing and how to master them. A must for anyone who has ever played with the idea of becoming a writer.
Rating: 
Summary: A writers how to book.
Review: I am not a writer, nor do I pretend to be one. However, aspirations to become a writer is an ambition we all have, at least those that appreciate good books. This Book, On Writing is a great resource from someone who has been quite successful at the craft. His thoughts on the subject are very candid, and amusing. I apreciate the time he has taken to put together such an exellent guide for those would be writers, and those who aspire to become writers, the nuts and bolts of writing. He fully illustrates what the writing life is like, and shows that it takes complete dedication to the art in order to accomplish such a task. Who am I to recomend such a book? a very delighted reader. A great for a student of the written word.
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Summary: I'm a conservative religious commentator and...
Review: Most of my writing takes place within the context of conservative Catholic commentary or canon law. Therefore, when I picked up Stephen King's memoirs on the craft, it was mainly due to boredom in the airport as I waited for my flight. By the time I reached my destination, I had finished it. This work proves King truly crosses genres when he puts his mind, as well as his pen, to it. I enjoyed this work tremendously, and found it helpful in my own writing. There is good advice for all writers here, whether one is breaking out in the craft or a veteran, whether one writes fiction or non-fiction. In the past, I have occasionally dabbled in fiction, but never with much success. Yet following King's advice, my fiction has greatly improved. For example: at the instigation of my English professors, I tended to over-plot my work. King advises against plotting, stating a story reads much better when it unfolds as the writer sits at the keyboard. If the author does not know how the story will end, King speculates, neither is the reader likely to do so either. This creates suspense. I tried putting this into practice with my own writing, and found it much more exciting as a result. King offers many other points for improving one's writing, most of which I found both practical and successful. Therefore, I recommend this book to anyone interested in the craft of writing.
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Summary: Pleasand and Informative Reading Material
Review: I should begin by saying that this is the only novel by King that I've read. The subject matter was of interest to me, and since the text had received such promising reviews, I decided to give it a try. Straight up: I found the book informative, practical, and entertaining. And even though I haven't read many, I have to say that this is the only text on the subject that I can recommend to anyone. "Most" of the time texts on this subject are a waste of hard-earned bills--King's work being the exception. King tells the plain simple truth about writing--there is no easy way around it: read and write as much as possible. Along the way he manages to keep the material practical and engaging. I highly recommend this read to anyone interested.
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Summary: Not for writers only!
Review: I have spent many an evening editing student writing, and even more evenings reading whatever isn't nailed down, including some of King's many novels and stories. What I most appreciate in his many gems of advice is the admonition that to be a writer, one must read a lot and write a lot. Period. No shortcuts. Of course, he gives us much more than this, including his own rituals as a writer, along with examples of good and bad writing techniques. Some of his biases kept me laughing out loud, as his frequent mention of his aversion to adverbs. Others crystallized for me exactly *why* something in writing I have read grates on me--the overdone description comes to mind. I knew those kinds of passages bugged me, but until I read his rationale using the example of his own book, CARRIE, I never really could explain it. Now I can. Most striking to me is the fact that EVERYTHING he says to do or not do is EXACTLY the same advice I have learned and try to practice as a storyteller. Cut out the unnecessary embellishment. Don't worry about theme. Remember the characters and the story are what matter, the rest will take care of itself. The story chooses you, not the other way around. Again and again, what he says writers need to do to write well is the same advice I've received from any number of storytelling coaches about what storytellers need to do to tell well. Is it any wonder, then, that King's novels and stories continue to satisfy his readers? Along with the practical stuff, I very much enjoyed getting to know Mr. King as a person, with his often funny and self-deprecating view of himself and his life. One might at first wonder what the autiobiographical stories have to do with writing, but they reveal the forces that made him a writer.
ON WRITING really is a wonderful look at what it takes to become a writer. (This review has been edited to remove occurences of unnecessary adverbs!)
Rating:
Summary: A Book that Every Writer Should Read. Outstanding!
Review: If you want help or advice on writing, King is your man. This was a very terrific book that explains writing in depth and how one can improve a little on his or her writing. The best thing about Stephen King is that he is brutally honest. This isn't an instructional book on writing, it's more of a memoir on his experiences on writing. He offers tips and suggestions along the way, but as he said in the book, "You can't make a bad writer a good writer." This book isn't going to transform you into a best-selling author; that's something you have to figure out on your own. This book is sort of like a guide. It lets you get into the mind of a fiction writer and what it takes to write. I especially like his memoirs on writing. It was very interesting how writing has helped, and possibly saved his life. He talks about his early years of writing when he was a kid and finishes it off with when he was hit by a car and how writing helped him get back to living again. Even if you're not a writer or thinking about becoming one, this book is still a terrific read. You'll discover what kind of commitment and determination it takes in the world of fiction. Maybe it'll help you appreciate the work that is involved in writing stories and novels. King said it best when he said, "If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or tools to write." That's the best advice you can give and it's nothing but the truth. As a beginning writer, I know that all too well. This is a terrific read which lets you get into the mind of the creative master of horror and fiction. Like I said, it's best for people to read it if they are writers or beginning writers, but it's also a book that anyone can enjoy. Put this book on your list and read it as soon as you can. I loved every word of it.
Rating:
Summary: a must read for fans and writers
Review: informational, helpful, and interesting
Rating:
Summary: No-nonsense advice on the writer's art
Review: If you have ever wondered at what makes a bestselling author tick then this book may be worth a look. King has produced a guide which is honest, fresh and refreshingly clear from waffle. The book is divided into three main sections, the first of which is autobiographical, covering his childhood, his early struggles to get published, his family life with wife Tabitha and his later struggles against alcoholism. All of this is done with an impressive honesty and you can't help but admire the way in which he brings the characters from his past to life. The second section of the book (by contrast) offers plain speaking advice for would be writers. He covers issues of technique and style, and also talks about how a writer can get into print. The final few pages of the book covers the automobile accident which almost cost King his life back in 1999, and his struggle to recover his fitness and his urge for writing. To close the book, King also includes a short story by an aspiring author, which he selected as part of a competition. If I had any gripes about the book, it would be that this last part tends to gloss over this important part of his life too quickly, giving the book a bit of a lop-sided feel. No doubt, King would explain that the real issue of the book is the writer's art and that in cutting down the last section, he has trimmed the fat and kept us focussed on the important stuff. He might be right. I must say, however, that once he touched on that subject I wanted to know more. Also, it should be noted that the book focusses on writing bestsellers, so the writing style King advocates is not to everyone's tastes. Certainly, I thought that the "prize winning" story which closes the book was rather unsatisfying. However, King's book just edges four stars from me because of its clarity, honesty and unswerving enthusiasm. That last part might just convince you to chance your arm and change career...
Rating:
Summary: Thank You, Steve-o
Review: This is extremely enlightening, and long overdue, but worth the wait. I enjoyed Mr King's auto biographical notes at the beginning, and while the rest is devoted to his craft, writers and non-writers alike will find the following chapters an insight as to the man's work ethic and love of life. If you love Stephen King, check it out. You won't be dissapointed.
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