Rating: 
Summary: Great Stuff
Review: I literally read this in a day. I don't know how anyone could write about writing in such an engrossing way, but Steven King has done it! The first part of the book is autobiography, serving to show that it's tough to break into the writing business, but it's possible. The second part of the book is dedicated to talking about writing itself, dealing with various pet peeves that King has and some things he's learned along the way.
This book inspired me to write. That's a lot more than I can say for other books of this kind that I've read.
Rating: 
Summary: Two in one!
Review: Being a Stephen King fan, I had to buy this book. It was well worth it. The first part, an autobiography, is worth the price of the book itself. If you have read Kind, you'll love it! It's funny, interesting, revealing - you'll understand much more about his work afterwards. The second part, which is actually "on wrting" I found very interesting as well. I'm not aspiring to become an author, but still I read it all and never got bored. If you like Stephen King's novels, buy this one. If you're looking for a book on writing, you'll find a lot of helpful tips, but don't expect anything too technical.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing and eye-opening read! Inspirational!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Mr. King has opened his doors to us and let us see inside. 'On writing' is humorous and witty-and definitely not censored. I enjoy his honesty. It is not an instruction manual on how to write so much as it is one true story of a successful writer's experience-which is why I think it has helped me to grow. As I read along there were times when I felt I was right there with Stephen and Tabitha King. Like when he got the phone call about 'Carrie' and its paperback rights. I took every piece of his wisdom I could from this book. Before I read this I was not exactly a big Stephen King fan, but now I can see the man and the incredible gift he possesses. I definitely have a new interest in his writings. I feel I got a glimpse of how the man writes and the processes of his story making; and there is also a little editing practical at the end that is very helpful! The formula for draft editing is so true and easy to apply-an example of how clear cut his book is. Anyone interested in writing fiction should read this book. In short, I learned a great deal about why I want to write; and I learned some important points on 'how to'and 'how not to' that will work for me. I am certain I will read this again and again, and I will be recommending it to others.
Rating:
Summary: Great support system
Review: As a local columnist, I am asked to speak to high school and college groups. King states very well many things I would say myself. However, as an "unknown writer," my words wouldn't carry as much weight. I quote from "On Writing" as I would a Bible. Though many other books about writing say the same thing, as far as the kids are concerned, their authors are just as unknown as I am. But King is-ah, well-King. The autobiography is good, especially for kids thinking King was an overnight success and fantasizing they will be as well, but the best part is the inclusion of a few original manuscripts with the editor's markings. It's "show, don't tell" at its finest. Readers, and aspiring writers, can learn more from those few pages than they could from a full year writing course. (And King himself says that. I quote him all the way.)
Rating:
Summary: Good!
Review: If you like Steven King read this book. If you want to write Fiction or are interested in writing in any way read this book. It's definitely one of his better works but if you're sensitive when it comes to profanity be warned, he doesn't censure.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This was my first Stephen King book, but it won't be my last! I read it because it was "on writing," and King offers excellent, down-to-earth and applicable insights! But the book also contains a fair amount of autobiography that demythologized King for me. Also, if you haven't read it yet, his Vassar commencement speech is definitely worth your time! It is posted on his official homepage (I originally included the URL in this review, but Amazon's editing system blipped it).
Rating:
Summary: An Invitation
Review: I was not a reader of Stephen King before I read this superb book. Frankly, I am not fond of the horror-suspense genre. Like many I know, I pretty much wrote off Mr King's work (a decision based more in prejudice than anything else). But something led me to pick up a copy of this book. Perhaps it was the fact that I know I have often liked film versions of his work. Perhaps it is because I now live in New England, and I have an increasing sense of connection to the 'stories' of this place (and hence, potentially, its storytellers). Whatever the motivation, I picked up the book -- and I did not want to put it down until I had finished it.What most struck me about Stephen King's book on writing is how well it conveys insight into the Soul of the man and the passion of the writer. There is a down to earth sense of reality to the encounter one finds in these pages. King manages to work the magic of giving the reader an opening into his world -- the world within. The book intrigues me. This book is part personal memoir and part commentary on the craft. Both parts of the book are priceless and compliment one another perfectly. King does a lot to make clear to the reader that it is real people who write. And his comments on writing are no-nonsense and practical. The book is a wonderful source of advice. More than this, perhaps, it is a source of encouragement. Stephen King is inviting others into the waters of the craft of writing. He is helping them to see past misconceptions of what life writing is like and into the reality of hard work and inspired 'magic.' This book is a very loving work, in a lot of ways. It is an invitation to storytellers to share their gift. This is an excellent book. I give it my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: King tells it as it is
Review: Being a writer, I was anxious to see whether Stephen King could come up with any worthwhile gems that the other stock-in-trade how-to books had missed... he didn't disappoint. If you take the time to read between the lines of "On Writing" you'll find a whole load more than anyone else can possibly offer. It's not a "do this, do that" book, it's an insightful book of how the master gets it together. Included in the book are many insights into King's own life. Not only are these a bonus, they add to the whole picture of Stephen King's ability to turn out bestselling novels time after time. Buy it today - you'll not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: From the heart and the head
Review: I wish I had read Stephen King 20 years earlier. I'd be a much better writer. His explanation of a passive sentence is something I've been looking for all my life. The way he explains everyone can understand. Of course, as he'll probably tell you, he would not have the time or the inclination to write a book on writing 20 year ago. I've been reading King's On Writing all morning. I believe that I got more out a morning reading than I would have in week's classes in professional writing. Stephen King is more than a good writer he is a brilliant writer who loves his work. His explanation and examples of a passive sentence is the best I've ever read. I am going to read some of Stephen King's book that I missed because I was too busy reading the types of book that I like more-the psychological suspense novel. Besides I read what is available and a good friend has been loaning me a fairly heave load of reading lately. You guessed it, psychological suspense novels. I have been looking over the books that Mr. King thought enough of to put on his list of readables. I am happy to say that I have enjoyed most of them. I am glad that he had writing to get him through the post accident experience, he had a really bad incident, which will be with him forever.
Rating:
Summary: A Personal Weekend with Stephen King
Review: I've not been a consumer of King's novels..they usually appear as movies so quickly that I just settled for that (and those movies are excellent - The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, Misery, etc). It was the opportunity of discovering clues to the art of successful writing by one of the most popular writers in America that drew me to this book. I think I will be reading Stephen King novels from now on! This man has an uncanny way of drawing you into a story, whether that story be bizarre fiction, or a memoir on how he became as well read and published as he has become. The opening section of the book seemed at first a little self-serving....details of his childhoood attempts to write, his growing into the career, the influences of his Important Reader (his wife) and his break into stardom. Once this memoir is passed (and it reads so quickly because of his style) it is very clear why he has started this book on Help for Incipient Writers in this way. All of his "teaching" is so grounded in reality, common sense terms, usuable information. His tutorials in the "dos and don'ts" of writing make such good sense and immediately start to repair previous mindsets and writer's blocks in writers of every degree of experience. This is pure, no nonsense, practical-as-the-state-of-Maine information that is so digestible and useful: you bond with this man in such a positive way that finishing the book stirs the need to go back and re-read it for a refresher course. I wondered why he chose to end the book by going back to memoirs. But in that last short chapter he reveals again why he is a writer, why he loves the act of writing, how he overcomes obstacles to continue his craft, and how agian he is able to motivate his reader/student into commiting to the craft of writing. This is a fine read, a practical help to everyone who wants to write better, and an homage to the art of writing. Feels like I just had a private weekend with Stephen King, in his corner, taking in his interesting life and his intuitive techniques on writing. What a fortunate use of my time!
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