Rating: Summary: Now I'm Inspired! Review: I read this book so quickly, but I didn't want it to end. It was like having an intimate conversation with the author. My writer's block is gone, and I'm very inspired to dive back into my writing. He makes the mechanics of writing an easier read. Not like it is in school. Not only am I excited about writing again, but now I wish that Steve and I could be buddies. He is so interesting. When I finished the book, it was like saying goodbye to a friend.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful insight! Review: I'm not a horror fiction reader, but I respect Stephen King and his ability to spin a good yarn. In this book, he gives us insight into his world. Reading it was as close as most of us will probably come to sitting down and having a chat with a very successful author!A must read for anyone who writes!
Rating: Summary: Outstanding! Review: I learned a great deal about writing by reading this book. King explains how he writes everything "doors closed" and "doors open" That is first he just lets everthing flow out of his head, then goes back and revises it.
Rating: Summary: Inspirational and Engrossing Review: King inspires and enlightens you with his views on simply writing good stories. I read it in two days. If you're an aspiring story-teller or just interested in the craft or King himself, you must read this book!
Rating: Summary: King shares his thoughts in On Writing Review: Whether you're a writer, an aspiring writer, or just a reader, you will love Stephen King's On Writing. A non-fiction work with two parts. The first is a memoir of King's life, and how he came to publish his first work, Carrie. It is amusing and interesting at the same time. The second part of the book is about writing, hence the title. King doesn't tell us to do this or that when we write. He informs us that certain methods are useful, and certain aren't. He tells us what he has learned during his life, and those are things that are truly inspirational. It is a classic book that everyone should have. Funny, Fun, and most importantly, True.
Rating: Summary: A good read; a great primer Review: If you read a lot, or if you write a lot, or if you wish you did more of either, buy this book. It's an inspiration.
Rating: Summary: Truly inspirational! Review: If you are a struggling writer, this book is definitely for you. If you are a Stephen King fan, most of this book is for you. It is amazing to have such a successful writer talk so openly about his craft. I grew up on his stories, so getting a peek at where they came from is like discovering your house has an extra room you never knew existed. For me, as a writer, it was a real treat to get lessons from such a publishing giant. His take on where stories come from (they are unearthed like "fossils") really hit home. I, for one, never cared much for the idea of outlining and planning out my stories. As he says, that stuff is for the rewrites. And his take on rewriting is great, too. It should be 80% of the first draft. The book is filled with nuggets of wisdom - a lot of which you've probably heard before, but never like this. King is encouraging and awe-inspiring. If I have any problem with it, it's what my sister in-law wrote to me after borrowing my copy: "He makes it all *so* easy!" Very highly recommended, especially for writers.
Rating: Summary: Don't Care for His Novels but Respect His Authorship Review: Even if you don't like to read Stephen King novels, you can read this book and get helpful tips for your writing. I've read a few of his books including Needfull Things and The Bachman Books and didn't care for the length or the gore. However, I can respect his writing in addition to his readership that spans the world. I was curious about this book, and wondered if it would help me to write that great american novel. I skimmed the book more for writing information rather than his personal accounts, some of which i found interesting. I did pick up helpful tips for my writing. Changing the gender of a character is an important tip and will definatly help my writing block. This is just one of a few tips in this book. Mr. King is a facinating character himself and reading how he made Misery or Carrie will definately help me with my own character sketches. And, after reading this book, I think I am going to try reading one of his novels again and be able to use a more critical eye to the style. So, even if you don't care for his books at all, reading or skimming this book can give you a new appreciation for his creativity and authorship. Thank you Mr. King!
Rating: Summary: Like getting a long, friendly letter from Stephen King Review: I have to admit something up front: my favorite part of Stephen King's books is the "Author Note" section. I've always enjoyed getting a little picture into his mind, or where the story came from, or how this idea blossomed into a full-fledged novel. Well, ON WRITING is one long "Author Note" section, and I loved it! He starts out with his life, and he tells his story with his trademark humor and candor. It wasn't always pretty for little Stevie, growing up with a single, less-than-fully-employed mom. This book shows how those experiences shaped him and his fiction. King's candor is shined on everything in his life, including drug and alcohol abuse and his recent encounter with a speeding mini-van and the recovery battle. It also gives us a window into the King marriage. Tabitha doesn't get as much publicity as her husband, but this book makes it clear that they are indeed partners in life. She obviously captured his heart as a college boy, and owns it to this day. After telling his personal story, King shares some insights for writers. This is not a college text book, though. King is up front that he is sharing ideas that work for him, but they won't work for everyone. I love his analogy of story as dinosaur bones...it's already there in your mind, you just have to dig for it and uncover it. Reading this book, you sense that King doesn't take himself to seriously. You sense that he'd be a fun guy to sit down and have a cup of coffee with, to chat about baseball. You also sense his intense dedication to his craft, his passion for telling you a story. This is an outstanding resource for writers, but perhaps even more meaningful and valuable to King fans. It's an "Authors Note" that you won't want to put down, and you don't want to miss.
Rating: Summary: On Writing is good reading! Review: In 1999 Stephen King began to write about his craft & his life. A widely reported accident jeopardized the survival of both & during his months of recovery, the link between writing & living became more crucial than ever On Writing begins with an engrossing account of this author's childhood & the genius of his early ability to tell a story. I am amazed by how much I've enjoyed this master writer's opus! If you've ever wondered what makes this world class best-selling author tick then On Writing will give you some clues. It is as lucidly composed & as friendly as an evening postprandrial chat with a master of suspense; it will entertain, teach & inspire even the most sullen writer! A keeper indeed! Do check out my full review.
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