Review: On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition

Generous, lucid, and passionate, King (Hearts in Atlantis, 1999, etc.) offers lessons and encouragement to the beginning writer, along with a warts-and-all account of a less-than-carefree life. The composition of this memoir, King's first nonfiction work since Danse Macabre, was interrupted when he was almost killed by a drunk driver in 1999. The first portion of it shares the making of the writer: his impoverished but experientially rich childhood, his first efforts and influences, the threadbare existence he and his wife Tabitha lived until the publication of Carrie, and his remarkable success thereafter. There are some delightful anecdotes here. In a late-night creative frenzy, his wife sleeping in their London hotel room, King asks the concierge for a place to write and is led to Rudyard Kipling's desk. Though intimidated, King proceeds to write the beginnings of Misery, then thanks the concierge, who tells him, "Kipling died there actually. . . . While writing." King discusses his problems with drugs and alcohol and offers an assessment of his own work (he doesn't think much of Insomnia or Rose Madder, but he liked Cujo and regrets that he was too drunk at the time to remember writing any of it). Written largely while recovering from his accident, the rest of the memoir answers the questions King hears from aspiring writers, as well as the questions they should be asking, but don't. With examples that reach from T.S. Eliot to pulp fiction, there's much trenchant material here on how to construct a story, how to revise, and how to go about building a career. King stresses character and situation over plotting, and insists on basics—like Strunk and White and, above all, endless reading and writing. While his proposed output might intimidate some, his enthusiasm wins out. A useful book for any young writer, and a must for fans, this is unmistakably King: friendly, sharply perceptive, cheerfully vulgar, sometimes adolescent in his humor, sometimes impatient with fools, but always sincere in his love of language and writing.

Review: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

There is an immutable law that states: "People who love law and sausage should never watch either being made." People who love reading, I think, are a bit different. Who among us, in the middle of the latest work by one of our favorite authors, hasn't stopped and asked in wonder, "How do they do it?!" Stephen King, in his (first) Forward to ON WRITING: A Memoir of the Craft, chats for just a bit ... Read full review

Simply put, this is one of the best explorations of the art. Stephen King blends memoir with instruction perfectly, in a way that is always engaging.

Well renown fictional writer talks about his childhood and his take on writing.
I found it entertaining. Stephen is anal when it comes to the tools required for his work. His love for the craft is obvious. This is a person who didn't stop writing despite the numerous rejection letters he received. I would not have lasted if I was in his shoes.
He almost did not finish writing the book due to an accident that left him literally in pieces. It's a miracle that the doctors were able to put him back together.
I learnt a few things from this memoir. I now look forward to actually reading one of his books.  

As an aspiring novelist, this book was extremely inspiring. Gives a very clear and realistic picture of what other aspiring authors can look forward to encountering on their road to being published.

Just as riveting as the majority of his fiction books. The two I personally found hard to read are the only two he admits to planning for with an outline and notes, etc. The rest were "found" as he wrote from a what-if statement that came to mind or a possible situation that sounded intriguing. I agree, a "keeper" as another reviewer said. 

Inspirational, entertaining, easy to read and very funny.
Would have never thought to read this book were it not for Google books.I will get the full copy and revise my review. Based on the preview, I recommend it.
Currently looking to start writing and have been reading about the craft, this one is a winner.
Certainly made me laugh my head off, one thing I really needed today, and quite an unexpected surprise to get such hilarity from Stephen King. 

Review: On Writing

What can one say? It has now entered the pantheon of great writing books. It's half memoir, half writing tips. King comes off like an inspiring mentor who's not afraid to give you a well-deserved kick ... Read full review

Review: On Writing

A brilliant book. I have not highlighted this much in a book in ages. It also proves that Stephen's advice that "People love to read about work" is correct, because it is fascinating to read about the way he works. Read full review

Review: On Writing

Very insightful and entertaining. Stephen King is a great author with a great handle on words. Part memoir + part instruction = inspiration and motivation for any ambitious writer. Thank you, Mr. King. Read full review