Rating: Summary: I Wish There Were Six Stars .... Review: I pre-ordered "On Writing" by about three days and received it in my mailbox at one in the afternoon, yesterday. At one in the morning - after an entire day of no television or computers - I had soaked up every one of the nearly 300 pages. I was so inspired by what I read that, instead of going to bed when I completed the book at one a.m., I sat up for another two hours and wrote in my own.Mr. King offers insight and direct instruction in this book and I couldn't recommend it more to an aspiring writer. My first thought when I heard the book was coming out was: Far out! Stephen King wrote a book JUST FOR ME! And that's what he did. He managed to make me laugh out loud, smile, think, mist up and most importantly ... sit down and write. If you write - or want to write - you will feel like Stephen King's "telepathic" tome was penned just for you. Of course, you'll be wrong. I'm just sure he did it for me. ;)
Rating: Summary: The only honest book on Writing. Review: I can honestly say this is the first how-to book on writing I've ever read that tells it exactly like it is in no uncertain terms. This is a book that's going to make a LOT of beginning writers very, very angry. This is a book that's also going to make a lot of selling writers who aren't as famous as King very, very angry. But this is also a book that's absolutely true, and that's the rarest and most precious thing of all in the world of writing. This book is an open wound from beginning to end, and that's its strength. It is NOT a book about writing horror, it's a book about what it takes to be a good writer in any genre, including the literary genre. This is the ONLY how-to book I've ever read that doesn't make nice with the reader, that doesn't tell fairy stories to the wanna-be writer, that doesn't tell the midlist writer it's a matter of luck, or a matter of finding the right audience. A God Almighty lot of readers (Those who wish to be writers) are going to HATE this book with a passion, and after finishing it these same readers will go right back to not selling, to not writing enough, to not reading enough, to believing it's all luck, to believing they just haven't gotten the "break" they need, to believing that editors don't know good fiction when they see it, to believing all sorts of foolishness. But for those who'll LISTEN, who'll forget their own ego, who'll swallow hard and do what this book says do, this book might very well let them walk with seven league boots and step into the world of a selling writer. It sure as anything made me mad, made me feel about two inches tall, and made me seriously doubt my right to call myself a writer. But it also made me want to write, want to tell the honest truth in my writing, made me see what good writing is, more than all the other books and articles I've read put together, and then multiplied by a factor of ten. If you want to be a good writer, a selling writer, then you MUST read this book, and you MUST do as it says do.
Rating: Summary: An Incredible Visit with King! Review: This book is terrific! If you're a fan of King's, you'll be fascinated by his stories of his life and its effect on his writing. If you are a writer, or want to be, BUY THIS BOOK. It's like taking a private class with a master writer. Incredible! I'm a published writer and felt like I learned many useful tricks and tools. This book made me want to go back and read all of King's books with a fresh eye for language and writing style. Highly recommended!
Rating: Summary: Fun, not functional Review: This quirky memoir is as much fun as a Saturday matinee with a double feature from American International Pictures on the bill ... However, it is autobiography much more than instruction. That's not a criticism, just a friendly warning to people who might think "On Writing" is a how-to book. There are plenty of those out there (maybe too many). There's only one Stephen King and as the (very) old song says, "he's an education in himself."
Rating: Summary: He Does SO Tell What C.V. Stands For Review: One reviewer had the nerve to say S. King doesn't detail what C.V. stands for in the memoir section of his book. He does tell. I won't spoil it for you by telling. What Mr. King doesn't tell is whether the teeth were real or dentures. That is what I wanted to know. This book is hugely entertaining to read. Even if you never plan to write; read this book. I enjoyed learning more about Mr. King's early life and his battles with alcohol and the famous accident. He gives his fans details about his life which made him the person he is today. I would liked to have heard more about it all. The sections on writing give interesting tidbits without going into huge amounts of detail. Mr King said for once he was going to be brief and he certainly was that. I would liked to have learned more about where story ideas came from and what went into some of his books. I was very interested to know how much writing he did as a child, teen and adult before "Carrie" ever happened. The amount of time and energy he put into writing things which never saw print should give any hopeful aspiring writer courage to continue on. I also liked hearing Mr King say that being a writer takes time every day before anything happens. And he is totally disenchanted by people who say they want to write but don't have time to read. I am like Mr King in this. I do not understand people who don't read. That is so far my being that I am actually fascinated by people who never read. Mr King's advise of read read read and write every day was very good advise. I liked his closed-door analogy also. In short, this is a book for every S. King fan, even those who are not deeply interested in becoming writers themselves.
Rating: Summary: HE SHOULD KEEP TO HIS GENRE Review: What can I say? Not King's sort of book, but then again, he's all over the place: can't contain him, can you? Some of his ideas and suggestions are interesting, but all in all, I prefer him when he stays within the boundaries of his B-novel nightmarish stories.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Memoir/Honest Advice About the Craft of Writing Review: ON WRITING provides a glimpse into the mind and motivations of Stephen King, as well as blunt, straightforward advice about writing as a profession. You get the impression that the contemporary master of popular horror is a pretty down-to-earth, likeable guy, with working-class values and lot of humility to compliment his considerable talents (which he downplays more than he needs to). Excellent advice on the skill--the craft--of writing, which King states (as have many before him) is something that must be developed and then maintained through constant use--like a muscle. Well worth reading: it goes on my reference shelf along with ELEMENTS OF STYLE and WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY. When you need a boost in your own writing, a little extra motivation, this book will do the trick. Good job, Steve, and thanks.
Rating: Summary: King enthusiasts and non-addicts alike will not be let down Review: Think you know everything about Stephen King? I bet you don't! :) On Writing is a brilliantly detailed look into his life and how he started writing... and why. It's filled with humour like only Stephen can give it and excellent tips for aspiring writers. A definite recommend!
Rating: Summary: The real life of a writer Review: This is one of best books on writing I've read, and I've read most of them. King tells the truth and the story is interesting to read, even if you're not a writer. If you are a writer, he sticks his boot up your but, but, but and picks you up again with advice you can actually use. (Advice about the tools you need, how to get an agent, and how to take your writing seriously.) My favorite quote: "You must not come lightly to the blank page." So, don't waste any more time. Buy the book, read it and write.
Rating: Summary: More Meat Less Bull Review: This book is both entertaining and informative. What else coul you ask for? What are you doing still reading this review? Go buy the book already.
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