Escribir es mágico. It is, to the same extent as any other art of creation, the water of life. The water is free. So drink. Drink and quench your thirst.

  
    Escribir es mágico; es, en la misma medida que cualquier otra arte de creación, el agua de la vida. El agua es gratis. Así que bebe. Bebe y sacia tu sed.
  

Es uno de los libros más curiosos de King. Before buying it, I thought it was going to be very heavy and boring. However, I was wrong. Stephen manages to teach us the trade of writing in a relaxed, fluid, entertaining, and even funny way.

Los libros son una magia única portátil.

This non-fiction novel also has a brief biography of the author, which is very entertaining and pleasant. It shows us a little bit of his life as a child and his first steps in writing; his failures, his setbacks, his hopes, his attempts, and his glory.

King manages to teach us how to write and what not to do without adorning with boring explanations. Instead, he goes straight to the point and doesn't waste time on minute details that only manage to frustrate us.

Muy bueno.

Only Stephen King has the unique ability to transform what is actually an extremely open, transparent, and useful writing guide into a quasi-wonderful memoir on writing. His work is truly a gem that caters to both readers and writers alike. It offers valuable insights and practical advice that can inspire and guide anyone with an interest in the art of writing.

The book is not just a dry collection of writing tips; it is a captivating narrative that draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are sitting down with King himself, listening to his stories and learning from his experiences. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills or simply gain a deeper understanding of the creative process.

7/12

2017 read

The world of Stephen King is extremely exciting and rich. It easily takes you far away without much philosophy. It doesn't require your intense attention while reading, and his books are not classified as profound or classic novels. He simply unleashes his unrestrained imagination and presents you with what his inspiration has filled, achieving the difficult equation: being the most popular and thrilling, while also offering valuable, uncomplicated, non-philosophical, non-superficial, and direct ideas.

That's why I liked him and wanted to read about him, to know how he writes and how he reached this position in people's hearts.

King is very down-to-earth and simple in writing about himself and in clarifying what he wants to achieve without ambiguity. The book is divided into several sections. In the first section, it gives us a brief introduction to his life from childhood, how he started writing from the school newspaper and then in college, and how he used to nail rejection slips and publishers' excuses on the wall of his room until he reached the point of professionally publishing his first short story for no more than two hundred dollars after having received ten dollars, and sometimes even twenty-five dollars, and sometimes nothing. And how those two hundred dollars were very influential for him at the moment when he needed to treat his daughter's cold and didn't have five dollars in his pocket at that time. Then comes the second turning point when he despaired of the story "Carrie" and threw it in the trash, but the next day, to his surprise, his crumpled papers had returned again and were placed on his desk, and his wife asked him to finish it and sell it to the publisher for four hundred thousand dollars, and then millions followed after that. He also mentioned his journey with alcoholism and his treatment from it, and how he wrote several masterpieces while in the stage of addiction, such as "The Shining" and "Misery" and "Doctor Sleep". In the second section, he talks about writing and his unique rituals, his advice for a new book on equipping oneself with the necessary tools and how to use them from his point of view. Then he ends with a touching part of his life again, which is the incident that he faced before the publication of the book "Cujo" and almost lost his life and how it affected his way of walking after that, and finally, recommendations for dozens of books from a good reader who understands the books of the imagination.

As King said, "We are writers. And we never ask each other where we get our ideas from; because we all know we don't know." Also, "Two previously unconnected thoughts meet and create something new under the sun. Your job is not to find those ideas but to recognize them when they show up." And many other profound and inspiring words.

I truly wish I could assign more than five stars to this remarkable book.

The initial 100 or so pages are filled with highly vivid and engaging anecdotes from SK's childhood. (For instance, did you know that Stephen King had an obese and negligent babysitter who used to sit on his head and fart? I surely didn't.)

I initially thought that the entire book would follow this pattern - a personal history seamlessly intertwined with the occasional tip about persistence. And that would have been just fine with me. That's precisely how entertaining the first part is. It makes the book not only worth reading but also captivating for those who may not be particularly interested in learning the trade of writing.

The nuts and bolts writing advice provided is extremely solid and practical for the beginning writer. King delves into various subjects such as vocabulary, grammar, characterization, symbolism, dialogue, and theme. These, as he explains, are essential components that should be present in every writer's "toolbox." I absolutely adored this analogy. I firmly believe that King does an outstanding job for the aspiring writer by explaining in a concise, straightforward, and "Listen-to-your-Uncle-Stevie" kind of way that writing is indeed a complex, enjoyable, and yet incredibly back-breaking hard work.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.

The background of how some books came to exist and the randomness, which is a significant part of King's inspiration, was truly captivating. It gave me a unique perspective on the creative process.

I also loved his tips for new authors. His methods are not only exciting but also extremely helpful for an unknown author like myself. They provided valuable insights into the writing world.

The most hilarious section, without a doubt, was Stephen King's comments about cutting out "fluff" and editing for length. It made me wonder how long some of his novels would be without that unnecessary content. It was a lighthearted and entertaining moment in the book.

Overall, I would rate this novel 4/5 stars. It is interesting for those who are looking for writing tips or are simply King fans. It offers a combination of useful advice and engaging storytelling that is sure to please.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

Regarding 'On Writing: A Memoir to the Craft', I came across it rather late (I was quite surprised to learn it was published in 2000). I'm aware that there might be some of you who haven't read it yet, so I'm putting a SPOILERS warning right at the start.

This'memoir/instruction manual' was a 'buddy read' with my friend Marge from the US, and that made it even more enjoyable.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

She helped me get through it. I shared my 'gripes' with her and thought hard about whether to just leave it as a rating instead of a review. After all, who am I to complain?

But here goes:

I liked the beginning and ending chapters. They framed his upbringing and then the pain and misery of being run over, a near-death experience, all while connecting these experiences to his experiences in the publishing world.

The middle section, the 'on writing' part, was both amusing and at times confusing. However, I really appreciated his insights and expertise in his chosen genres.

I got a bit lost in his analyses of situation, story, and plot, but I accept that it was likely more due to my lack of understanding than semantics.

His position on and examples of effective dialogue were excellent. Writers must make dialogue real and believable.

He advocated for writers, especially emerging ones, to isolate themselves and eliminate all possible distractions. For example, closing the door and turning off devices (I agree), but shutting the curtains and drawing the blinds (I don't agree). Surely, it would be better for a writer to have a window that opens to swaying trees, rain, or blue skies, an open space to help them open their minds? But again, who am I to question? It clearly worked for him.

King says he writes well with the sounds of AC/DC, Guns and Roses, or Metallica. Um... hold on. Isn't that a distraction?

His stance on the use (or overuse?) of pointless, ornate, inconsequential adverbs, especially those ending in '-ly', was virtuous and frank. 'The adverb is not your friend', he quoted appropriately.

He wrote, '...the situation comes first, before characters.' I like that, but I'm not sure how it works in practice. I'll have to read or re-read a couple of his novels, maybe those with the names of their characters as book titles?

He lists a myriad of novels that have influenced his writing. There are some impressive names there, but I didn't see Iris Murdoch, John Fowles, James Baldwin, or Thomas Hardy. Admittedly, they're not writers of his preferred genre, but... um... See, I warned you I was griping.

The shining light for me in this read, along with the buddy read format, was his extensive knowledge of the industry and his often 'give or take what I'm saying' disclaimer. I'm happy to take quite a bit, but also leave some.

I don't usually read books about writing. However, I felt the need for a break from fiction. So, I picked up "On Writing" by Stephen King.

This book is not only a kind of toolbox for aspiring authors but also extremely entertaining.

It is part memoir, offering us a peek into what life is like for one of the most famous writers today.

Reading this non-fiction book was a pure delight. I would highly recommend it to everyone who desires to be a writer, as well as to those who are simply curious about the writing process and the life of a writer.

King's insights and experiences are both valuable and engaging. He shares practical advice on various aspects of writing, from developing ideas to editing and polishing.

The book is filled with interesting anecdotes and examples that bring his points to life. It shows that writing is not just a solitary activity but also a journey filled with challenges and rewards.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, "On Writing" has something to offer. It can inspire you, motivate you, and help you improve your writing skills.

So, if you're looking for a book that combines practical advice with entertainment, give "On Writing" a try. You won't be disappointed.

On Writing: A Horror Story

Oh, let me tell you all something. I'm so incredibly jealous of Stephen King. Even though the guy can't sing, and seems to be completely obsessed with horror - a genre that I really do not adore - whatever I've got, he's got more.

He writes ten thousand words a day, making it look like child's play. And in the end, his novels pay off handsomely. Meanwhile, I write only ten words if all goes well. I spend ten hours in what feels like living hell, and what I sing won't even sell.

It's so frustrating to see someone like Stephen King achieve such great success in the writing world while I struggle to get even a few words down. But perhaps I should stop comparing myself to him and focus on my own writing journey. Maybe one day, I'll be able to look back and see how far I've come, just like he has.

On Writing: A Horror Story

Oh let me tell you all something
I’m so jealous of Stephen King
Even though the guy can’t sing

And seems to be obsessed with horror
—A genre I do not adore—
Whatever I’ve got he’s got more

He writes ten thousand words a day
Makes it look like child’s play
And in the end his novels pay

I write ten words if all goes well
Ten hours spent in living Hell
And what I sing won't even sell

This is very much a book of three parts.

In the first section, King offers a series of anecdotes that seem rather fractured and random. They loosely cover his early years, before he achieved success as a writer. Some of the tales are a bit spooky, to be honest. Others clearly depict what life was like for him, his wife, and his children when he was spending long hours writing while also holding down a day job. He had several jobs, some quite menial, but he ultimately settled into teaching students how to write. His wife, it is evident, was a huge supporting influence. Not only did she give him the uninterrupted time to "do his stuff," but she also served (and still does) as the primary reader of his second drafts - nobody reads his first drafts except him.

The second section is where he discusses - or perhaps lectures on - the art of writing. He first covers the basics of vocabulary, grammar, sentence, and paragraph construction. He doesn't dwell on the fine details but makes valid points about the importance of getting these elements right. He then takes the reader (and maybe prospective writer) through dialogue, character development, and the need to focus on situations rather than plots. I found this last part really interesting. He provides useful examples to illustrate his points and even an exercise for the reader with a prompt to "let him know" how it went! This was the meatiest part of the book, and his mantra seemed to be: read a lot and write a lot. He firmly believes in putting in the effort and the hours - you can't beat hard work and perseverance (that's my paraphrasing of what seemed to be one of his key messages). He concludes this section with a rather lengthy piece on why it's important for writers to find an agent and how to go about doing so.

The final part of the book returns to the memoir but is focused entirely on a serious road accident that almost cost him his life. It's quite harrowing and told in some detail. It's clear that although he was seriously injured, he was actually very fortunate to survive. I'm not entirely sure why this was presented as a stand-alone piece at the end. Maybe because the first section was all about the early events that contributed to making him the writer he became, and the accident didn't fit the chronology? Either way, it emphasizes the fact that the book does feel like a collection of bits and pieces.

I listened to the audio version, read by King. He's not the most engaging reader in the world, but there is something captivating about hearing the material read by the man himself. I enjoyed this book in audio format.

In summary, it's a book that will interest fans of the author who simply want to know more about him, his life, and his influences. It's also something that will appeal to people who write or plan to write. I've read a few books by or about writers where some insight into their working methodology was discussed - Lawrence Block, Lee Child, and Haruki Murakami among them - and this one holds up quite well against the others.

There are countless books available on various aspects of writing, such as storytelling, screenwriting, and style. However, many of these books are overly formulaic and充斥着 clichés. To be frank, the majority of them often turn out to be a waste of time. Nevertheless, there are a few exceptions, and 'On Writing' is undoubtedly one of them. Stephen King is a well-known figure, and among all his books, this one is the one I highly praise.

Part biography and part 'How-to' manual, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in writing. It contains a wealth of information that aspiring writers can absorb. The book details King's trials and tribulations, successes and failures, moments of elation and despair. From his humble beginnings in childhood to the near-fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred about fifteen years ago, 'On Writing' covers a significant portion of his life and shares the tips and tricks he learned while pursuing his passion for writing. Along the way, he held various menial jobs, got married, had children, lived in a trailer (where he typed his manuscripts in an empty closet), achieved fame and fortune, and struggled with addictions to drugs and alcohol.

The insights provided in this book about King's long and successful career are honest and invaluable. While it may not directly enhance your writing skills, it will definitely have a positive impact on your mindset towards writing. I read this book several years ago, and when I finished it, I felt inspired and more determined than ever to get my own books published. Whenever people ask me about the best books I've read on the subject of writing, I always recommend 'On Writing' as the one that truly motivated me to pursue a career in writing.

Moreover, this book is not only beneficial for writers. Much of what King discusses in the book can be applied to other art forms and even to life in general. At his age and with his level of experience, King has gained a great deal of wisdom, which he has generously shared with everyone by doing what he does best - writing. Even those who are critical of King's work or writing style will admit that 'On Writing' is an excellent book.

Highly recommended.

*This book was one of my selections for my '5 Books That Made Me A Better Writer' piece. See which others I picked:

http://jkentmessum.com/the-5-books-th...

I'm a devoted fan of Stephen King's earlier masterpieces and the classic movie adaptations based on them. While I wouldn't label myself as a die-hard superfan, given that I'm striving to transform my status from an "aspiring writer" to a "published author," I'm eager to soak up all the valuable insights I can, especially from someone as incredibly productive and widely read as him.

We're all well aware that King is a storytelling virtuoso. So, it's no surprise that throughout a significant portion of this book, he's doing precisely that. The initial substantial part of the book is his "C.V." - a captivating memoir that takes us through his childhood, where his love for writing first sprouted and was nurtured by his single mother. It then progresses to his teenage years, filled with the collection of rejection slips from magazines.接着是他年轻的婚姻生活，那时他要平衡教学、写作、为人父和饮酒的多重角色。然后是他的文学突破，凭借《嘉莉》一举成名。在“工具箱”和“论写作”部分之后，他又回到了自己的故事，讲述了1999年他被一个开着货车的怪人（差点致命地）撞到的经历。

我喜欢的方面

* 他对“写作这门手艺”充满激情。

* 他非常鼓舞人心且积极向上 - 有很多值得引用的名言。

* 他的写作风格谦逊、幽默且通俗易懂。

* 我们了解到了他作为一名作家的成长历程。

* 他对妻子塔比莎给予了高度赞扬。

* 他用自己的作品举了很多例子来阐述观点。

* 他认为大量阅读至关重要（书的结尾还有两份很棒的书单 - 我超爱书单！）

我不太喜欢的方面

* 他关于作家工具箱的部分真的很短，而且对于严肃的作家来说，很多重点概念似乎有点基础（比如不要用副词，避免被动语态）。

* 他对某些事情非常具体（例如，在对话中只能用“他说”或“她说”），我觉得这很有局限性。

* 他对大多数重要的事情却非常不具体（这是我对这本书的主要失望之处）。对他来说，故事“真的是不知从哪儿冒出来的”，就像是只需要从地下挖出来的“化石”。我毫不怀疑这对他来说是真的，但是，呃，谢谢。我就去挖化石，然后，砰，我的故事就完成了。他提到他不会规划他的书怎么发展，它们只是自己演变。他不考虑象征意义，它只是自然而然地出现。他不考虑主题，但事后才注意到它的存在。同样，我确定这是真的 - 我不会去质疑写作中所涉及的魔力。但如果几乎全都是魔力，那为什么还要写一本关于它的书呢？实际上，他确实提到任何一个优秀的作家读这本书其实并不需要它，或者任何其他同类的书。他不喜欢“如何做”，也不喜欢写作工作坊或课程（嗯）。

不管怎样，我想我想说的是，我真的很希望听到更多关于结构、什么构成一个伟大的故事、如何制造紧张感、创造令人难忘的角色等方面的实用写作建议，但我有点失望。这并不是这本书想要做的。

尽管如此，这个人所说的一切对他来说都非常有效（哎呀！这里有个讨厌的副词！），我被他对写作这门手艺的深厚承诺和从中获得的快乐所鼓舞。

你绝不能轻率地面对空白的页面。

The master shares his recommendations for all writers, and they should pay close attention.

Overview – 4 stars

I found this book to be far more interesting than I initially anticipated. There is a wealth of King's personal thoughts regarding his experiences in the writing business and what led him to become a writer in the first place. He also covers his harrowing experience when he was hit by an idiot in a van during the process of writing this book.

(On) Writing

The majority of this book is dedicated to assisting writers in working on their 'toolbox'. He shares what has worked for him and is extremely honest about what it takes and the business as a whole. There are numerous quotes used from this book, and some even appear when you load Goodreads. I agree with all of them (even though I'm not a writer in any way, but I concur with King's theories).

Here are just a few:

You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will.

The road to hell is paved with adverbs.

To write is human, to edit is divine.

Can I be blunt on this subject? If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.

Structure

If you've read any of King's works, you'll be familiar with the way he writes. It's no different here, but the writing style is, obviously, distinct. It's a very easy read, and the most helpful inclusion has to be the examples he provides, which he dissects and edits throughout.

King fan stuff

There were some really fascinating factoids scattered throughout this book. Standouts for me (and I don't think this is spoiler-y since it's non-fiction):

• He doesn't remember writing Cujo much, since he spent most of his time high.

• His idea for Misery came to him in a dream on a plane.

• He almost abandoned The Stand, my all-time favorite book.

• He states that he was disappointed with Insomnia.