I actually picked up this book with the intention of finding the updated version of "On Writing." To my surprise, I was astounded by how terrifying this book was, considering it was supposed to be centered around writing!

I suppose I had flashbacks of the chills that I experienced from "Salem's Lot" and other early works of King. There were a couple of chapters that I found rather boring. For instance, the extremely long chapter that reviewed other horror books.

However, in general, this was a good read, albeit a scary one. I also highly recommend "On Writing." Both books disclose that King is truly compelled to write rather than being simply inspired to write. Perhaps it's similar to how music composers have to compose. How else could you explain a deaf Beethoven creating some of his greatest masterpieces?

It seems that for King, writing is not just a choice but an inherent need, a driving force within him that compels him to put pen to paper and create stories that both thrill and terrify us.

Overall, while this book had its flaws, it still managed to keep me engaged and on the edge of my seat, just like many of King's other works.

A significant portion of this reading involved re-reading content from other books that I had already completed. However, there was also some new material for me. I didn't have any objections to the re-read parts as "Dance Macabre" is one of my all-time favorites. Initially, I started jotting down my reflections as I was reading. But once it reached three pages, I realized it would be better to wait until I finished reading and then post something more concise.

When it comes to hooks, the best one I've ever come across (and I've read a considerable number of books) is this: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." There has never been an opening that has stayed with me as strongly as this one. I'm rather surprised that it didn't come up during that particular conversation. It's truly a remarkable and captivating hook that immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them eager to find out what happens next.

I look forward to seeing what other great hooks and engaging stories I'll encounter in my future reading adventures.

NB: This review originally appears on The Reel Bits for my Inconstant Reader column.

When Stephen King isn't writing fiction, he seems to be writing about writing. This is the impression one gets from SECRET WINDOWS: ESSAYS AND FICTION ON THE CRAFT OF WRITING. It's a collection of short stories, essays, speeches, and book excerpts he's penned over the years.

Originally published in October 2000 as a Book-of-the-Month Club offering, this now hard-to-find volume is a companion to On Writing released around the same time. It's also King's third reflection on the craft, following Danse Macabre (1981), part of which is replicated here. If you're a process junkie like me, this book lives up to its title by offering a peek behind the curtain.

Unlike his previous non-fiction works, SECRET WINDOWS consists mostly of existing material. Some of it is a treasure trove for Constant Readers, including early work from the master. There are excerpts from a 12-year-old Stephen Edwin King, and even a facsimile of the cover of a newspaper he printed with his brother.

Most of the pieces date from 1973 to 1999. The earliest is The horror market writer and the ten bears: A true story, where a writer on the verge of success gives advice on submitting stories to men's magazines. Later, there's a piece King wrote for Adelina magazine called On becoming a brand name, where he reconciles his commercial work with being a working writer.

It's also great to see when King is a Constant Reader. He's a fan of other writers, as seen in the numerous introductions and arguments in the book. There are insights into his thoughts on titles, like how Warner Bros. pushed for The Shining. And there are prophetic passages, like one written in 1983 about the spread of communicable diseases.

Constant Readers may already know some of the content. The book's title comes from a short story, and some of the pieces have been published before. But more than previous collections, these works show how King's style has developed. It may not be as interesting to casual readers, but it's essential for devotees. Now, the only question is whether a secret writing window lets in a draft.

Stephen King on Writing is a remarkable compilation that offers readers a comprehensive look into the mind of the master.

It encompasses King's profound thoughts on the genre, his personal experiences, the speeches he has delivered, and the forwards from several of his books. Additionally, it includes a couple of engaging stories.

The reader gains a vivid understanding of who Stephen King is as a writer. His revelations about his humble beginnings, the numerous difficulties he encountered while trying to get published, and the unwavering dedication and hard work that finally led to his success are truly inspiring.

Overall, this book is a fine read that is easily digestible. It is filled with valuable insights and even contains some spine-tingling moments gleaned from other works and writers that King mentions.

In conclusion, Stephen King on Writing is a great choice for both aspiring writers and fans of King's work alike. It provides a unique perspective on the writing process and offers a wealth of knowledge and entertainment.

A companion to King's "On Writing," this remarkable book presents a wealth of valuable content. It includes transcripts of interviews, which offer fascinating insights into King's creative process and mindset. Additionally, it features his very earliest stories, dating back to junior high school or perhaps even earlier. These early works provide a unique glimpse into the budding talent of a literary giant. In addition to the interviews and early stories, the book also contains a few more short stories and a novella. King, who claims not to be a teacher, nonetheless dissects the horror and psychological suspense genres and writing methods with the precision of an expert carving knife. While I personally preferred "On Writing," this text still provides some highly entertaining stories along with thought-provoking writing treatises. It is a must-read for any fan of King's work or anyone interested in the art of writing.

It was okay.

This simple statement holds a certain ambiguity. It could mean that a particular situation or experience was just average, not outstanding but also not bad. Maybe it was a task that was completed satisfactorily, or a day that passed without any major events.

However, "it was okay" can also imply a sense of resignation or acceptance. It might suggest that although something wasn't perfect, it was good enough for the time being.

In some cases, "it was okay" could be a polite way of expressing dissatisfaction. For example, if someone asks how a meal was and the response is "it was okay," it might actually mean that the person didn't really enjoy the food but didn't want to be overly critical.

Overall, the meaning of "it was okay" depends on the context in which it is used and the tone of the person saying it. It can convey a range of emotions and attitudes, from indifference to mild disappointment or reluctant acceptance.

The Book of the Month Club assembled this volume to go along with the launch of Stephen King’s On Writing.

While the actual book On Writing is truly outstanding, this supplement has its pros and cons. Longtime enthusiasts of Stephen King will probably have already perused many of the excerpts and short stories incorporated within it.

The speech transcripts were something new for me. However, they had a tendency to be repetitive and in some places, the editing was not up to par.

All in all, this is a decent resource for those who are aspiring writers. But it seems more like a money-making addition for the publisher rather than a sincere effort to gather the author’s wit and wisdom. It offers some valuable insights, but it also has its flaws that prevent it from being a truly essential collection.

A Must for Any King Fan

For those who are passionate about King, this is an absolute essential. Whether you're a die-hard fan who has read every single one of his works or someone who is just starting to explore his literary universe, there is something here that will captivate you.

King's writing is known for its ability to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats. His stories are filled with vivid characters, thrilling plots, and a unique blend of horror, mystery, and drama. With this must-have item, you can immerse yourself even deeper into the world of King and experience his genius like never before.

It could be a special edition of one of his most popular novels, complete with exclusive illustrations and behind-the-scenes content. Or perhaps it's a collection of his short stories, carefully curated to showcase his versatility as a writer. Whatever it is, it's sure to be a treasure for any King fan.

So don't miss out on this opportunity to add something truly special to your King collection. Get your hands on this must-have item today and let the magic of King's writing transport you to another world.

I'm a sucker for most anything King writes, and this volume is billed as a companion to On Writing. However, it doesn't offer much illumination on the craft of writing. While most of the content has been culled from earlier sources, there are several essays and talks here that are rare or new to me.

My favorite reads from this work are "On Becoming a Brand Name," his reflection on fame, and "Horror Writing," a novella-length examination of several great horror novels (originally published in Danse Macabre).

Moreover, these are essays and talks from 30+ years ago, so there are no real revelations and some of the opinions haven't endured as King's career has matured and his experiences have changed. Readers of this won't find much writing advice, nor will they find especially new insights into King's behind-the-scenes thinking beyond the essays I mentioned. Additionally, there isn't enough good fiction writing to justify the time spent reading it—definitely old-school adventure-gore King on that front.

What will you find? King's homey honesty, his occasional outbursts on politics and other writers, and a fairly comfortable nostalgia for those early works. For completists and fans, this is unpleasantly relaxing.

For everyone else, you would be better off picking up his excellent On Writing for real craft advice, Danse Macabre for the essays on the publishing world and other writers, and just about any collection of short stories for a better selection of his gifted horror-fun.

I am an extremely enthusiastic fan of Stephen King, not just the writer but the person himself.

Therefore, I eagerly consume any non-fiction work that is associated with him.

Just as he always does, in this particular piece, he provides us with outstanding perspectives and profound understandings regarding the craft of writing.

But it's not just about that. There is so much more that he offers.

He delves into various aspects of his creative process, sharing his experiences, challenges, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

His words are like a guiding light for aspiring writers, inspiring us to explore our own creativity and push the boundaries of our imagination.

Overall, this non-fiction work by Stephen King is a treasure trove of valuable information and inspiration that I will cherish and refer back to time and time again.

As a die-hard Stephen King fan and an avid collector, this particular elusive book was an absolute essential for my collection.

It took me an incredibly long time to finally lay my hands on a copy. And then, it took even longer for me to move it up to the very top of the list on my TBR. After all, I had to wait for that *perfect* moment to embark on this reading journey.

Given that I've been devouring King's work for approximately half of my life by now, some of the stories, essays, and introductions were already familiar to me as I had come across and read them before. However, the crucial aspects for me were the unread sections. These included fascinating interviews, introductions for books by other authors, older works that I hadn't yet discovered, and engaging speeches.

Just like with King's other non-fiction books, I'm truly glad that I held off on reading this one until after I became a published author myself. There were several useful little nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout these pages. And some of the anecdotes had a much stronger impact on me than I had anticipated! The part about authors being mistaken for bookstore clerks at signings and author events - indeed, that very same thing had happened to me! And what could possibly be more exciting than the thought of, "Hey, I'm experiencing the very same things that the great Stephen King went through"?

This is a really good book.

However, it contains a rather large section that is taken directly from one of his other previously published non-fiction works, specifically "Dance Macabre".

This can be a bit of a disappointment as one might have expected more original content throughout the entire book.

Nevertheless, the other sections of this book are truly brilliant.

The author has managed to present some fascinating ideas and perspectives in those parts, which more than make up for the reused section.

The writing style is engaging and the topics covered are both interesting and relevant.

Overall, despite the inclusion of the section from "Dance Macabre", this book is still well worth reading for the excellent content it does offer in its other sections.

It provides valuable insights and makes for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.