On Writing by Stephen King
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Book Reviews of On Writing
Book Review: Excellent resource from one of the most qualified authorities.
Summary: 5 Stars
The chief ingredient of great writers is honesty; honesty in the development of the characters; honesty in their dialogue and honesty in their commitment to their craft. Stephen King, one of the most qualified people to write about the subject of writing, offers this kind of honesty in this book.
The first part of the book is a memoir of his life; a life that has always been inseparable from his writings from a very early age. The second part of it is where he really delves into the techniques and styles of writing and his philosophy on the craft.
In the second part of the book he covers vocabulary, which he considers should be placed in the "top shelf of your toolbox, and don't make any conscious effort to improve it". He claims that this will come later as you continue reading and feels that "one of the really bad things you can do to your writing is dress up the vocabulary, looking for long words because you're too ashamed of your short ones". He uses Hemingway and Faulkner as examples of consolation.
He continues with grammar where he makes clear the necessity for working knowledge of it as a way to organize prose in a readable manner and his disdain for grammatical purity. It is obvious that he writes for the reader and not for the English professors of the world. How ironic, that these are the writers that eventually get studied by the professors and impose upon their malleable students.
He also covers interesting topics, such as active and passive verbs, where he admonishes one to "avoid the passive tense" and feels that writers who used them, do so for the same reason that "timid lovers like passive partners". And like passive verbs, King sees very little use for adverbs, considering them the artifacts of lazy writers and mostly redundant.
The book goes on to explain his stance on plots, dialogue, similes, metaphors and symbolisms. Stephen King's love for the craft is obvious and evident throughout the book. For anyone who loves to write, this book will offer great tips and entertainment. I loved the book and found great benefit in it. Enjoy!
Book Review: A treat for the reader and the writer
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a little gem of a how-to book. It's little, because Stephen King has taken seriously the commands of Strunk and White to "omit needless words". He also rails against the excessive use of adverbs ("adverbs are not your friends"), the temptation to "dress up" plain and more direct language ("this is like dressing up your dog; the dog is embarassed and the person who engaged in this premeditated act of cuteness should be more embarassed"--I'm paraphrasing), and writing untruthfully about subjects with which you are uneducated ("if you're a plumber, write about plumbing; God knows why, but people love books about work").Other than that, King offers few hard and fast rules. The most important commands are to write often and to read often. His book is funny, wise and above all inspiring. It contains words of wisdom from an imaginative man who made his living doing something that he still absolutely revels in doing. How many people can say that?
This book also contains two autobiographical sections and a reading list. The first autobiographical section deals with his childhood and early adulthood as a young husband, father, English teacher, writer and pauper. It is both funny and sad. The second section deals with the accident that nearly killed him in 1999. This part is less funny and more sad, but contains a fundamental truth: his passion for writing, at least in part, saved him.
There is also a sweetness about the way King feels about his wife. He clearly adores her and is still in love and lust with her after all these years. She is his "ideal reader", the person he writes all of his books with her opinion in mind. She is smart, outspoken, and nearly idolized by King. What woman wouldn't want a man to feel that way about her? Tabitha King is a lucky woman.
If this book doesn't make you want to jump up and write (and read) something, then you're not a writer. Even if you're not, you can still enjoy the wickedly wise tales of King's childhood and his astute, self-deprecating look at the world of bad versus good, and sometimes great, writing.
Book Review: An Inspiration...
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say about this book that, I'm sure, has not been said before? Ah, but the answer to that question lies in advice often given by successfully published writers to prospective writers... to borrow/paraphrase from a piece written for the Horror Writers Association by Michael Marano, does the world need "just another" review of this book? No. Does the world need a review of this book that only I can write, based on my unique experiences and observations? Yes. Desperately. Well, ok, I don't know how desperately anyone needs my review of Stephen King's wonderful memoir, but I digress....
First of all, this book is a truly wonderful story. The insights into the life that has made Stephen King one of the most influential and certainly most read authors of our day are worth your time. And the tragedy he experiences while writing this particular book and how it shaped 'and still shapes' his life and his writing puts him on such a personal level that you get the very real feeling he is actually there with you as you read his story, encouraging you the best he can. You see, this is a book of encouragement and inspiration. It's also a lesson in telepathy 'read the book!!!' that may just be the best description of writing and the relationship between writer and reader ever put into words.
Second, Stephen King has filled half this book with honest insights, advice, and guidance to aspiring writers. There is common advice: Read, read, read a lot! Oh yeah, and write, write, write a lot! But there are many more subtle insights and personal experiences you should find invaluable. He has opened his Door to you, the Reader, and given you a look at his own creative process. His tips, and encouragement come across as genuine and I'd be lying if I said this book didn't inspire me. Thank you Stephen King, I can't believe I didn't read this a long time ago. If you're a writer or an aspiring writer, or even just a Reader of Stephen King's fiction, I highly suggest this book. In fact, if you arejust a Reader, I think you will enjoy his fiction more for having read this book.
-=R=-
Book Review: Finally -- A well written book on writing!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was fascinating to read -- an open glimpse into the mind of the master himself. He begins with a short memoir on his own life, which reads much like one of his novels. Here, the reader is able able to get a good understanding about his motivations for writing.The remaining two-thirds of the book is then dedicated to tips on the craft itself, interwoven with numerous numerous examples from other authors, as well as his own. It's intersting to see his perspective which authors and writing styles he likes (and doesn't). In essence, his tone to aspiring writers is one of encouragement, interspersed with a good dose of realism. According to King, a poor writer cannot learn to become a good one, but a good writer can certainly learn to become a better one.
In brief, here are his main points:
1) Read often, write often.
2) Omit needless words (an oft repeated mantra of Strunk and White).
3) Stay within your own vocabulary level. Writing above it is unnecessary and pretentious.
4) Dialogue should reflect reality. Use profanity if necessary.
5) Keep descriptions simple. Being too elaborate only distracts the reader. Provide just enough information simply to spark the reader's imagination.
6) Don't write to please everyone. Instead, write specifically for an "ideal reader". Ask what he/she would think about what you just wrote.
7) Conscientious editing: Length of second draft should be first draft, less 10%.
8) Write about what you are genuinely interested in. You must have a passion for writing.
9) Be disciplined. Spend a consistent block of time every day achieving a specified goal. He suggests 1,000 - 2,000 words.
10) Writing is like fossil hunting. All the bones (ideas) are present already, it's simply your job to dig them up.
There's nothing groundbreaking about his advice on writing. It's more or less common sense. But aspiring writers should find it interesting to learn from this book how King was able to use common sense to propel himself to the top of the profession today.
Book Review: Absolutely the best book ever on the subject!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not a fan of Stephen King's fiction; in fact, I've never read a single one of his novels or stories. I'd like to. But given how how stylish and vivid and accessible his prose is, I know I wouldn't just read these horrors, I'd be stuck with them inside my head forever. And that I refuse to do.
But I couldn't resist picking up this book when I read the Cleveland Plain Dealer's blurb on the back: "Simply the best book on writing. Ever."
I figure they know what they're talking about. And as a professional author, I'm always looking for an extra `edge', so I read lots of books on writing. Some have been helpful, others a waste of time. Nonetheless, I'm always hopeful that the next writing book I pick up will have the ultimate secrets to the craft.
This one really did.
This was without a doubt the best investment in a writing book or seminar that I've ever made. King has thought long and hard about writing. Though he certainly exhibits a lot of the signs of a `natural' talent, he has also honed his craft for years and has definite opinions about what works and what doesn't.
To my great surprise, he's a writer who feels strongly about the proper use of grammar, about avoiding the passive voice at all times and adverbs wherever possible. And he talks about this at length.
He also talks about the importance of NOT writing outlines or treatments -- that the act of creation is you and the page and spewing forth your manuscript, without going for the overview which can paralyze you (and in my case, that's exactly what it did -- how did he know?)
I read the entire book in a few days and immediately sat down and started it again. He has a million nuggets of critical information that can literally lift you INTO the driver's seat of the writer's life -- if you want to be there.
If you buy one book on writing, let it be this one.
I am not a fan of Stephen King's fiction. But I sure am a fan. This book is a service to writers everywhere.