On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Posted by Backyard Urban Gardening on Saturday, November 04, 2006



I recently finished reading On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.

King starts the book by recounting specific people, places, events and experiences that influenced his childhood and impacted his writing. The first several chapters are really more memoir than how-to guide. I found it refreshing to learn about King's life and what makes him tick. I found myself laughing a lot during the first few chapters. Many of the sketches he shares are simply hilarioius.

The second part of the book is slightly more instructional and in the later chapters King offers his views about basic grammar, idea generation, plot, theme, and tempo for story telling. He emphasizes that from his point of view successful novelists are first and foremost story tellers.

The ending of the book discusses the auto accident that almost took his life in 1999 and how writing On Writing aided his recovery.

Movies derived from King novels include Misery and Carrie. He resides in Maine with his wife Tabitha. Also an author.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just watched the film version of Misery last week. I had seen it before, years ago, and didn't remember most of it. Makes a person kind of dread the words "I'm your number one fan"!

Marianne Arkins said...

"On Writing" is, in my opinion, one of the best books on writing (hand in hand with Donald Maass's "Writing the Breakout Novel" and the accompanying workbook).

Good luck with your novel and thanks for stopping by yesterday!

Backyard Urban Gardening said...

Thanks for suggesting "Writing the Breakout Novel" by Donald Maass. I'll add that one to my "must read" list.

Anonymous said...

I read "On Writing" a couple of years ago. I'd have to say it was the first book to help me gather my sensibilities together to assemble a story. I devoured it. It was as engrossing to me as any of his novels. But that is his gift--to keep the reader engaged totally. I admire his work so much.

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