On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

I wanted to read this again. I read it back when it came out.

I have done some writing recently and it's time to edit it. This book seemed to be the right moment.

This book is truly fabulous. It's not only fun but also highly informative, and it flows smoothly. I took my time with it, savoring every word. He does recommend Elements of Style quite often if you really want to delve into the grammar of the work. His two big rules are to read a lot and write a lot.

One of my favorite aspects is that he gives us a first draft section of a short story of his and then allows us to see how he edited it. I just love that.

Lord, after reading this, I realize I have so much to try and learn. I love adverbs, but those must go! He is against adverbs and uses them sparingly only when they have a real purpose. I've got to figure out how to write in the active voice and not rely on the passive voice. I know it's an issue for me as I tend to write in the passive voice. I have a lot of work ahead. This book was great, and I might need to read it again next month or at least certain parts of it.

I've read several authors' books on writing stories and publishing, and of all of them, Stephen King's has been the most enjoyable to read. The other one that stands out in my mind is Bird by Bird.

I think this book is excellent for any writer out there.

For anyone who is a die-hard Stephen King fan or an aspiring writer, this particular work should be an absolute must-have.

I had the pleasure of listening to the Audible version which is read by King himself, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. King is not only an incredibly talented storyteller on paper but also has a remarkable ability to bring his words to life vocally.

The book is broken down in a very interesting way. The first third focuses on his background, delving into the events and experiences that led him to pursue a career in writing.

The middle third is all about the mechanics of writing. It was an eye-opening experience for me, as it was far more informative than any college course I've ever taken. He comprehensively discusses various aspects such as "voice," themes, story, dialogue, and characters, and provides valuable insights into how he develops and assembles each of these crucial elements.

The final third takes a deep dive into the accident that almost claimed his life. Overall, this book earns a well-deserved five easy stars!

\"If you want to be a writer, the first thing is to do two things: read a lot and write a lot. I don't know any way to skip them. I haven't seen any shortcuts.\"

I am reading while writing in a LC of the King Room at the Atreyu Literary Club.

I liked it, I took notes, I thought it was very interesting and there are a lot of things that I will put into practice from now on ✍

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Superb, absolutely superb. I've listened to Stephen King read his audio book three times. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Since I'm on the cusp of posting 1,000 reviews here on Goodreads, I'd like to share my own thoughts on writing book reviews and link my reflections with Stephen King's wisdom on the craft of writing.

“You cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” I recall back when I was in my 20s and 30s, reading book reviews in the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer and thinking, oh, if I only had the opportunity to write book reviews. I so much love book reviews! I was truly swept away by well-crafted book reviews.

Of course, with Amazon and now Goodreads, all that has changed. Eight years ago I seized the opportunity to write online book reviews. I instantly fell in love with writing book reviews and made the commitment back then to post two book reviews a week. Anyway, I honed the craft of writing book reviews by writing and multiple rewrites until I took great joy in reading my own reviews. This to say, Stephen King is so right here - work away until your writing gives YOU joy to read. That way, your writing stands a better chance of giving pleasure to others.

“I'm a slow reader, but I usually get through seventy or eighty books a year, most fiction. I don't read in order to study the craft; I read because I like to read.” The key here is LOVE reading books. Like Stephen, I'm a slow reader but as a dedicated book reviewer I read lots of books every year. And like Stephen, I enjoy listening to audio books.

Fortunately, I have two abilities that help greatly as a book reviewer: 1) I can easily become absorbed in a book, especially a novel, really absorbed, as if I'm living heart and mind in the unfolding story, and 2) both my short-term and long-term memory are excellent for fiction. I can remember the details of the novels I've read 50 years ago as if I read them yesterday, an ability that comes in mighty handy when writing reviews.

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.” So true, Stephen! I so much look forward to writing when I wake up in the morning (understatement). And I've built up my endurance to the point where I have no problem writing 2 or 3 or 4 or even 5 or 6 hours at a time. For me, it's not a job grinding it out but rather a continual joy. I echo the great Argentinian author Fernando Sorrentino who said he would never let writing become a job. Worth repeating: never let your writing sink to the level of becoming a job.

“To write is human, to edit is divine.” Spot-on, sir! The key is to take delight in revisiting your writing again and again, reading it aloud to make sure the rhythms are smooth not clunky (the ear has it all over the eye when it comes to judging rhythm).

When I first began writing book reviews, here's what I did: I wrote out great book reviews written by such authors as John Updike, Michiko Kakutani and James Wood, wrote them out word for word just to get the feel for what it's like to write a great review. I also used a digital device to record their reviews and I listened while taking my walks. After a few months, I recorded my own book reviews, alternating with the great writers' reviews until I was satisfied with my writing - my rhythm, vocabulary, use of examples and metaphor.

“Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up.” For a book reviewer, this means to be keenly aware of the book you are reading. Underline passages as you read, take notes, read some of the book aloud to get a deeper feel for the author's voice, reread pages or chapters or sections you feel are particularly important so as not to miss the subtleties of character, the nuances of atmosphere along with the author's overall vision.

“If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered.” If others think you a bookworm or egghead or oddball or goofball (I've frequently been judged all of these), that's their issue not yours. If possible, avoid people who discourage you from reading and/or writing. Cultivate solitude, become your own best friend, make books your friends, make authors your friends, let the creative act of reading and writing become a shining polestar in your life.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” I think Stephen is thinking of those who want to write a short story or, most particularly, those who set out or are in the process of writing a novel. For me, there are no scary moments in the process of writing book reviews - not at the start, not at the end nor anything in between. So saying, I'll post this review.

I know it might seem like stating the obvious, similar to saying "puppies are cute," but it really needs to be repeated again and again. Everyone who has a desire to write, whether they aim to make a living from it or not, absolutely must read this book.

"On Writing" has had a profound impact on me as a writer. It has been more beneficial than anything else I have come across. In fact, any success that I have achieved as a storyteller can be directly traced back to my reading of this remarkable book.

It offers valuable insights, practical advice, and a wealth of wisdom that can help writers of all levels to improve their craft and find their unique voice. Whether you are just starting out or have been writing for a while, "On Writing" is a must-read that will inspire and guide you on your writing journey.

100 percent loved this. I may even knock it up to "It was amazing" as its treasure trove of advice sinks in.

Here's the thing: Stephen King knows how to tell a story. From the early to late 80s - junior high through mid-university years - I read nearly everything he'd written. His novels are the only of the horror-genre that I've read; it's never been my cup of tea, either in print or film, but King's writing has always been a cut above. He is the literary equivalent of Bruce Springsteen. I don't own a Springsteen album, but when I hear one of his songs, from any era, I know I am hearing pure genius. Story-telling genius.

I believe King's mainstream success has little to do with his ability to scare the bejesus out of his readers and everything to do with the emotional chords he twangs with his characters, his dialogue, his everyman dilemmas that arise from the most bizarre circumstances. As he counsels in On Writing, don't worry about writing what you know, write what you love to read. So, King loves sci-fi and scary stuff. And he is able to write about with such astonishing skill that even the most avowed detractor of popular fiction is held captive by his pen.

This writing guide is divided in two parts. In the first, King takes you through his hard-scrabble childhood, focusing on the events that shaped him as a writer. I enjoyed the heck out of this. He recounts his past in a sweet, sad, funny, and completely natural voice. I didn't know anything about his personal life, which included years as an alcoholic and coke addict.

Then he turns to offer practical writing advice, which can be summed up as: Read A LOT; Write A LOT; Create a space of your own; Blow up your television; Use the active voice; Limit adverbs; Watch out for dialogue attribution; and, above all, Write stories. Not plots. Not themes. Just Stories. King believes that if you have a good story, the rest - character development, plot, theme - will take care of itself. King presents his advice with such clarity and conviction that you believe it's all possible.

I have to contrast this concise set of advice with another masterful work on the art of storytelling: Robert McKee's Story. McKee's guide is 466 pages. I took a couple of months to read Story and used a ream of post-its to mark the meaningful passages. McKee's approach is the antithesis of King's. He advocates careful plotting and sub-plotting, character studies, outlines, and a tried-and-true structure that respects the desires of the audience. True, McKee writes about the craft of scriptwriting, but his directives are relevant to literary stories, as well.

As different as these two approaches are - King's organic, McKee's structured - their bottom line is identical: Write a story that people want to read.

King loathes adverbs. This hits home because I am decidedly guilty (see!) of using adverbs copiously (see!!). I've just finished reading James Joyce's The Dead, which is often cited as the best short story ever written (and lauded by King). Here is its final sentence:

"His soul swooned softly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."

Delicious irony. Well, to adverb or not to adverb? Only one way to find out...

Oh, yeah!!

This song is just amazing! I found myself completely hooked and couldn't stop listening to it. Every single second I spent with it was pure enjoyment.

The rhythm, the melody, everything about it is so captivating. It has this unique charm that just draws you in and makes you want more.

Mr. King, please, can I have some more of this wonderful music? I'm already craving the next track.

I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us. This song has definitely left me with a huge appetite for more of his work.

Overall, I'm extremely impressed and can't get enough of it. It's one of those rare songs that just stay with you and keep playing in your head long after it's over.

I read this book a while back. It truly left a profound impression on me. The topics that King explores within its pages are not only engaging but also extremely beneficial for a writer. At that time, my aspiration was to become a writer, and this book seemed to be a guiding light. It offers valuable insights and inspiration that can help one develop their writing skills and expand their creative horizons. The way King presents his ideas and stories is captivating, making it a joy to read. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in writing or simply enjoys a good read. It is a literary gem that has the potential to transform the way you think about writing and storytelling.