In this episode of the Life Writers Vlog, I share my thoughts on Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
Unlike his novels and short stories, King doesn’t include any of the scary stuff, but he does provide thirty-eight vignettes on his life, a postscript about being hit and seriously injured by a van, tips on writing, an editing example, the importance of reading and writing, an extensive book list, and more. I also agree with his disdain for adverbs.
Are you a Stephen King fan? Have you read On Writing? If so, what did you think? What did you take away from his recommendations? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
But always remember, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all!
OOOPZ! I already commented on this story. Never mind.
The one story that stands out to me is The Langoliers. Hope I spelled it write. Just remembered the travel through several time warps grabbed me.
I don’t go for Stephen King’s genre, though I did like The Green Mile movie. I’d rather have peaceful sleep. I might put On Writing to my already too-long reading list.
I was a fan until his books became longer than War and Peace. The book IT wore me out at over 1,000 pages. I did read this book, and I was amazed at his tenacity in trying to get published and thought it funny that he impaled all his rejections on a nail over his writing desk, as if the act vanquished them. Also at the end of the book, he generously offers to evaluate writing samples sent to him by readers. When I went to the website, I found that he was no longer accepting them. Instead there was… Read more »
I read, “On Writing” by Stephen King a long time ago. I remember I enjoyed hearing from the mind of this dynamic writing. I love his rags to riches story shared in the memoir. We can’t deny King leaves an unforgettable memory in each one of his novels turned movies. I haven’t watched all of his movies because their hard on the nervous system and can cause anxiety where it didn’t exist before 😉 And I definitely wouldn’t watch them at night if I want to get any sleep 🙂 But he is one of the most creative writers I… Read more »
My bedtime story last night was King’s “On Writing.” Read, through my ears, the first part of his story. Perhaps his early childhood experiences, age six eightyish, with needle puncturing his little drum to drain pus, would start anyone on a path of writing dark and scary stories. Although excellently written, not recommended for peaceful sleep.
Just downloaded King’s book “On Writing” and will start listening to it. Am in a writing rut and probably need a little of Ann Lamott.
I have only read one of King’s novels. I didn’t finish Doctor Sleep, it made me afraid to go to sleep. He has a unique mind for sure. I ordered “On Writing” because it helps to see how almost every author had to deal with their rejections.
My favorite King book was The Langoliers about a very interesting plane ride into and out of time. The only other book I remember from King involved the ghost at the Hotel Coranado in San Diego. It led to a visit by Peg and me during a conference in 2009. We had snacks and drinks on the patio at the hotel. Sorry, I didn’t see any ghosts. I have too many things going on right now to add “On Writing” to my agenda. But I’ll keep it on the back burner.
I have very little interest in anything “noir” and have not read any of Stephen King’s books; the one “On Writing” sounds like something I should have on my bookshelf. Thanks for the pointer, Patricia.
I have not read “On Writing” yet, but I am interested. I read a couple of Stephen King’s books even though I am not into this genre. However, when my daughter was a teenager, we read every book by Dean Koontz and Robin Cook. They were scary and interesting. I enjoyed them.
I like those 2 authors too, Koontz and Cook.
Go, Etya. You’re not afraid of the dark and scary. If you read On Writing, let me know what you think.
I will let you know after I read it. Will order it soon.
I did read this book. I really liked the examples which I thought were helpful to a novice and demonstrated the how and why of editing. His persistence in pursuing a writing career inspired me. He described how, as a teen, he impaled all his rejection letters on a nail above his writing desk.
I did read many of his books. It seemed to me his books got longer with each new novel. The novel IT, for example, was just short of a zillion pages.
David, would you send me an email, jrnormjack@earthlink.net so I can send you that story. Am having problem putting your email address into my computer, but that is my problem. Sometimes my computer acts like a teenager in it’s cave. Thanks
I sent ya an email.
I forgot about him impaling his rejection letters. Of course, he’s impaled them. Putting them in a folder would be far too normal. I’m glad you found his book helpful.
I liked the idea of impaling them and leaving the letters, now dead and cold, out in the open where he could see them. Also the satisfaction of stabbing the rejection right through the heart.
I forgot another useful tidbit. He read the magazines to which he planned to submit for up to six months to understand what they wanted. An important point.
I knew this part of his writing journey.
Horror is not my thing and I would never have looked for a book from Stephen King to help me with writing my memoirs. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, it sounds intriguing. I am going to order 2 copies. One for myself and one as a gift for my friend.
Great, Susan. I think you’ll find it useful. Let me know what you think after you’ve read it.
I am not a Stephen King fan. I am not attracted to the horror genre at all. That being said, I am a bit intrigued
by, “On Writing,” as a reference work. It sounds like it contains some lessons to be learned..
I don’t know how Stephen King closes his eyes at night and doesn’t scare himself to death. I do not like his novels, but this book has great information from a committed and seasoned writer.
Patricia, he probably dreams scary and works on his plots in this state of mind. I have to give him a ton of credit for having imagination like that.