Stephen King

A Memoir Of The Craft

On Writing

There is a reason why Stephen King is one of the bestselling writers in the world, ever. Described in the Guardian as 'the most remarkable storyteller in modern American literature', Stephen King writes books that draw you in and are impossible to put down. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in the vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999 - and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery.

A Memoir of the Craft

Marcos Rodriguez

"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write." 

Here is Stephen King's master class on his craft. 
On Writing begins with a mesmerizing account of King's childhood and his early focus on writing to tell a story. A series of vivid memories from adolescence, college, and the struggling years that led up to his first novel, Carrie, offer a fresh and often funny perspective on the formation of a writer. 
King then turns to the tools of his trade, examining crucial aspects of the wriiter's art and life, offering practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character development to work habits and rejection. 
King was in the middle of writing this book when he was nearly killed in a widely reported accident. On Writing culminates with a profoundly moving account of how his need to write spurred him toward recovery, and brought him back to his life.

source: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/On-Writing/Stephen-King/9780743563376

I received this as a gift, but ended up doing the audio for it due to time.

Strangely enough, I’ve seen handfuls of people talk about this book with the warning “just don’t treat it like scripture!” I’ve had it said to me personally and I’ve seen it said online, and honestly, I’ve not actually seen anyone treat it like that. Could it be because of all of our well meaning warners, or is it just a strange attachment it’s gotten over time?

Anyway, this is a strange little mix of memoir and writing instructional. For someone that claims they don’t really remember their childhood (or maybe he just meant that in relation to the other book he mentioned) this is a pretty detailed recounting. Doctor’s visits, school mishaps, and even somethings with quoted dialogue. I’m not sure I could recount as much! It’s interesting, well paced, and short enough to be entertaining as well as it is informative. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of King, not by any stretch, but it is interesting to learn more about someone that so many consider a master.

Now for the instructions, habits, and necessities of writing, there are some things in this that I took away as fantastic, and there were things I really disagreed with. On one hand, King’s opinions on adjectives, dialogue, and characters were things I will focus and think over in the future. He is another firmly set in the department of “said” being all that’s needed. And he states that your dialogue and characters actions will dictate how they’re speaking, not a simple word attached to said. Are your characters fighting? Readers will assume they may be getting loud. Are you characters hidden in a closet while a madman hunts them? Readers will assume they are whispering. That doesn’t mean that a well placed word can’t help, but to do it often is just fluff.

King is a big reader, and he spent a lot of his time growing up writing. But he then says that he firmly believes that a bad writer cannot become good, and a good writer cannot become great. And it feels as if we’re just supposed to believe that by him writing and reading as a teen that he was just miraculously chosen as one of the greats (of the three options given, I figured this one is the one people would label him as, he certainly does not do so himself)? I do believe in natural talent, but with something so obviously learned like writing skills, I can’t believe someone like him could believe that these people are simply made, or somehow chosen? Furthermore, when he goes into his best “practices” (his daily routines) he mentions needing to continually write, always working on the craft, and to read voraciously. Both things I’d personally consider to be PRACTICE. It almost seems like what he said and what he does are at odds there…

Regardless of if you agree with him or me, this is short on being a masterclass in writing technique, and frankly, he wasn’t trying to make it one. He remarks on how many of these exist, what he could possibly add, and who is he to even do so. And in that sense, as well as the personal tidbits, this remains an informative, enjoyable and grounded read. I am getting into more reads by the author, and I can see he’s a fantastic writer, so it was also nice to see that he doesn’t have a big head. And the narration by the author is always a nice touch.

C. J. Daley 

I received this as a gift, but ended up doing the audio for it due to time.

Strangely enough, I’ve seen handfuls of people talk about this book with the warning “just don’t treat it like scripture!” I’ve had it said to me personally and I’ve seen it said online, and honestly, I’ve not actually seen anyone treat it like that. Could it be because of all of our well meaning warners, or is it just a strange attachment it’s gotten over time?

Anyway, this is a strange little mix of memoir and writing instructional. For someone that claims they don’t really remember their childhood (or maybe he just meant that in relation to the other book he mentioned) this is a pretty detailed recounting. Doctor’s visits, school mishaps, and even somethings with quoted dialogue. I’m not sure I could recount as much! It’s interesting, well paced, and short enough to be entertaining as well as it is informative. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of King, not by any stretch, but it is interesting to learn more about someone that so many consider a master.

Now for the instructions, habits, and necessities of writing, there are some things in this that I took away as fantastic, and there were things I really disagreed with. On one hand, King’s opinions on adjectives, dialogue, and characters were things I will focus and think over in the future. He is another firmly set in the department of “said” being all that’s needed. And he states that your dialogue and characters actions will dictate how they’re speaking, not a simple word attached to said. Are your characters fighting? Readers will assume they may be getting loud. Are you characters hidden in a closet while a madman hunts them? Readers will assume they are whispering. That doesn’t mean that a well placed word can’t help, but to do it often is just fluff.

King is a big reader, and he spent a lot of his time growing up writing. But he then says that he firmly believes that a bad writer cannot become good, and a good writer cannot become great. And it feels as if we’re just supposed to believe that by him writing and reading as a teen that he was just miraculously chosen as one of the greats (of the three options given, I figured this one is the one people would label him as, he certainly does not do so himself)? I do believe in natural talent, but with something so obviously learned like writing skills, I can’t believe someone like him could believe that these people are simply made, or somehow chosen? Furthermore, when he goes into his best “practices” (his daily routines) he mentions needing to continually write, always working on the craft, and to read voraciously. Both things I’d personally consider to be PRACTICE. It almost seems like what he said and what he does are at odds there…

Regardless of if you agree with him or me, this is short on being a masterclass in writing technique, and frankly, he wasn’t trying to make it one. He remarks on how many of these exist, what he could possibly add, and who is he to even do so. And in that sense, as well as the personal tidbits, this remains an informative, enjoyable and grounded read. I am getting into more reads by the author, and I can see he’s a fantastic writer, so it was also nice to see that he doesn’t have a big head. And the narration by the author is always a nice touch.

The author shares his insights into the craft of writing and offers a humorous perspective on his own experience as a writer.

Patrick Book

Not a master class by any definition, but you have to love Stephen King. He's a plucky bastard for sure, and I am both surprised and delighted by his straightforward, no-nonsense writing process. Makes me want to dig out my unfinished NaNoWriMo files and finish those bastids off.

Arihant Verma

Before reading this book, I was unequivocally doubtful that I’d ever be able to write a story. The only one that I did try once, turned out to be a cliched dream most of us have had - saving an unwillingly forced sex worker. It was bland, boring, basically an unedited first draft rant, most of which was over worked narration and scene setters.

I read a long Stephen King interview in The Paris Review a few days back. Inspired by the fact that King had transformed seemingly mundane and trivial looking ideas into best fiction stories of all time (think The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Shining, Dreamcatcher, all movies based on his novels), I decided to pursue an idea into a story. I felt so at ease after knowing that backstories and situation settings of most his novels had started with a regular idea - a rabid dog at a car garage (Cujo), a couple of people who were homely outcasts during his high school, and who were subjected to cut throat teasing (Carrie), a psychotic nurse who kidnaps and restrains his favorite writer (Misery), they were so simple! Yet he made magic out of them combining them with fantastical imagination.

Mango Chutney, an anthology of short fiction edited by Harsh Snehanshu, was the first collection of short stories I ever read. I became obsessed with the finesse of some of the stories. Two stories, one written by Giribala Joshi and one by Harsha Pattnaik ( a then 14 year old ), particularly had me in a magic spell. Disconcerted by my inability to write meaningful fiction, I messaged both of them asking them for unsolicited suggestions and advice they’d like to give about writing. My narrow mind dismissed the suggestions that they replied with as not helpful. Giribala just replied - “Read a lot of good books!”, and Harsha had replied - “Do not write for an audience, write for a reader. Show them what you see. And don’t tell, show”. At that point of time, I was like “really? just that?!”.

Stephen King showed me why they were right and more. Stephen King has had tough childhood, in the first autobiographical part of the book titled “CV”, he talks about why and how he started writing as a kid (starting by copying comics word to word), and many other no bullshit forthright things laid that you’ll occasionally die laughing at. Who knew a book on writing, and a part memoir could be humour driven.

He gives advice on not using passive, like ever (unlike Steven Pinker, who thinks parts of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White is outdated), using as less adverbs as possible especially in dialogue attribution (Not using “Put it down”! she shouted menacingly, and instead suggests using plain and simple “Put it down!” she shouted, read the book to know why). He talks about using fragmented sentences and paragraphs to streamline narration, create clear images, create tension, stage direction, set characters and make transitions.

He preaches a closed door and no distraction environment to write. There are so many useful things that it’s hard to summarize. But the most revealing and helpful lesson from the book was to not premeditate characters and plot before starting to write. He says - “For a suspense novelist, this a great thing. I’m, after all, not just the novel’s creator but its first reader. And if I’m not able to guess with any accuracy how the damned thing is going to turn out, even with my inside knowledge of coming events, I can be pretty sure of keeping the reader in a state of page turning anxiety.”

Stephen talks about finding symbolism and theme after you’ve written a story and not before. He actually shows examples of before and after sentences, paragraphs, even some of his books’ parts to show what to leave, how to set place descriptions, narration, dialogue, and how much. How to pace a novel. He talks about not showing your story to anyone before you are at least done with your second draft (most of us don’t re write our stories / poems, do we?)

He relentlessly preaches that the best lessons in writing are the ones that come from your own reading and writing, and that’s why he keep repeating to read and write as much as you can. He gives advice on how to find good publishing agents. I won’t go into more lest I type each and every word of his book, because everything is so useful and practical! Everything in this book is a takeaway for an aspiring / existent writer. Stephen acknowledges that he’s taking your writing time when you are reading his book, and keeps everything just necessary and straightforward.

The input prompt says here What did you think? I think, if you intend to or write or are fascinated by long form fiction, or writing in general, you need to leave everything you are doing or plan to do the coming weekend, lock yourself up (literally, gather junk and order pizzas to save time) and read this.

What do I think after reading this book? I have to start writing.

Sarah Sammis

The very first book review I ever posted on my blog.

Teresa Bonifácio

Although Stephen King is not one of my favorite writers, I have to give it to him that he knows what he’s doing! :)

In this book we learn about Stephen’s techniques to writing and how to be a better writer. We also learn how he always loved stories and he tried to write them since he was little. Although he speaks little about his personal life, we get to know the special place his wife had and has in his writing. How most of the time he writes for her and she is his first reader. 

I liked to learn a little more about him!

Vicky  Nuñez 

A marvelous account on how Stephen King came to be the successful author he is now. Half autobiography, half advice to aspiring writers, King narrates the emotional ride writing has brought to his life. Full of sadness and happiness, the writer's story is enough to make anyone pick up the book, no writing aspirations needed. Although it is a bonus if you plan to learn of the book. 
One of the greatest teacher's of fiction, King makes people reevaluate on their life and that nobody's life is perfect nor would we live forever. Overall, it makes for a great read and I recommended it to everyone especially to those who love books, writing and Stephen King.

Twentieth Anniversary Edition with Contributions from Joe Hill and Owen King Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King’s critically lauded, million-copy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work. “Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it—fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.

Bella Koch

Stephen King combines memoir and practical writing advice in this book. I loved getting a deeper understanding into who King is, how his books are created, and what he thinks is important to create good stories. Now BRB while I read a bunch of his books

“Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it—fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition

Deepika Ramesh

'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft' is the first non-fiction that I could finish reading in two nights and this is the only book that I will keep revisiting. Forever! If not for King, maybe it would have taken eternity for me to realise that every writer is ashamed of his or her work while creating it with the door shut. Next time, when I approach a story with nervousness and excitement, I am for sure not going to beat myself up for not being sober. It's comforting to know that King feels writing's an intimate process and a writer should make the first move by succumbing to the impulse to catch the thoughts that float like clouds and to recognise the shapes that those clouds form. And, there is nothing more inspiring than learning that you are not alone with your battles.

It isn’t one of those books that gets preachy about writing nor does it tell you how “I hit the jackpot” as a writer. It’s just a wonderful insight around his life as a writer sprinkled with tidbits around the craft. The promising thing about reading this instead of going to a retreat is that, this you gives you the confidence you need to power through as a writer.  

Nuvena Rajendran

Bern de Belen

good concrete writing advice but also just enjoyable nonfic overall. reminded me to write because i want to and because it’s something that helps me with living and not because i have to and im supposed to. revived some of my forgotten love for writing (bc of the thing he mentions about writing classes and workshops). now i know it’s still here, and like stories, it’s just like uncovering a buried fossil. time to invest more in reading and writing.

M. Marques

It was a transformative read that reignited my love for writing and brought me a newfound sense of peace with my past creations. 
I am immensely grateful to A. for this remarkable recommendation.

matej yangwao

** spoiler alert **
           Writing is endless journey of self-discovery :)

Book starts describing what writing really is. Writing as art and comparing to mastery through practice. That's includes writing schedule, write whenever chance appears, scenery and surrounding can influence your writing, i.e why you don't have writing table in the middle of room but corner? 
Mentioned creativity boredom helps drive writing.

Most importantly is not when to write but how and that's leads to remarkable craft results

Avoid long words to look smart, use simple ones.
First word to come to mind is obv best one.

Learn from bad books to avoid techniques and improve.

While writing don't take breaks untill you're done. Seems this works for me at zettelkasten.

To build on premise that art is made to be appreciated, you need think of your audience for whom you're writing. Thus tailor your writing to for right audience.

Prefer to write story before picking theme.

Focus on craft which is timeless work.

Avoid writing for financial gains bc it will milk your story for profits. Rather focus to enrich/inspire life of others which in turn can improve life of others.

≥Writing is a means to communicate complex emotions or concepts through words

≥Writing is a mode of human communication representing language and emotion through the inscription or recording of signs and symbols.

≥Writing is more than a means of correspondence; it can be used to relay emotions otherwise hidden by plain words.

≥Writing is a powerful tool; it connects the writer and the readers regardless of how many times they read the same story. The creative side of writing is known primarily as literary writing.

≥A writer must be skilled in the art of avid storytelling and must communicate with the reader as the story progresses.

≥A good writer writes; a great writer reads other writer’s works.

≥Writing is more than just the act of piecing words together

≥Writing is an art form and, as such, requires discipline and dedication to execute it properly.

≥Without practice, mastery is impossible

≥Choosing where to write is as important as writing itself; it helps frame the mindset.

≥This statement means we must turn to art to give solace to the harsh realities of life. It also means challenging your mind to make a deep, honest inquiry into your life and why it is the way it is. Do you want it? Can it be better, and can you find a solution to it? This line of thinking acts as a prompt to help focus your thoughts on one thing and build from there.

≥We must find a space that not only brings us calm but challenges our minds to think.

≥Your surroundings or situation can be a significant influence on your writing as well.

≥If you ask any professional, they’ll tell you that knowing how to do something is the first step to getting good at it. If you internalize the steps needed and make them a part of your routine, the results are often remarkable.

≥For any craft to get proper execution, guidelines must exist to instruct intended practitioners

≥the best words are the simple ones.

≥Always remember to pair your nouns with verbs; the noun-verb structure is an essential part of writing.
• Avoid passive verb tense usage; you are safer using active verbs.
• The adverb is a cruel friend, do not trust it and use it lightly.
• Read and write often; there is no other shortcut to writing.

≥Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.


≥Art exists to be appreciated, digested, and consumed. That means, without an audience, art loses its value. For writers, without the readers, they write in vain. It is essential that as you create art, you consider the audience receiving your work. The target audience is an integral part of the whole process and forms the basis for your fanbase. Without the readers, there is no reason to write; art is created to be appreciated.

≥Sticking to one theme or style can be restrictive; only opt for it if you aim to reach a specific group of readers.

≥Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.

≥It is essential to find the right reasons to make art create timeless works.

≥The allure of money can derail the creative process and ultimately affect the quality of the work. Writers like this end up producing works considered “cash grabs” made solely for monetary reasons and not artistic ones.

≥Enriching the lives of individuals who will read your work; you can change lives and inspire others to, in turn, improve others.
• Increasing your own life, not in financial terms but in the idea that art is an expression and the experience refines you and makes you better.
• Getting up, staying up, and getting over; writing is an endless journey of self-discovery and improvement.
• Getting happy, ultimately, writing, as with all forms of art, aims to create happiness in others and yourself.

What I expected to be a manual on the mechanics of writing ended up bringing me to tears on two occasions, and instilled a sense of permission to write- something I’ve been missing perhaps. A great recommendation from a great friend, thanks Nate.

Taylor Griffin

L’unico manuale (che poi manuale non è) di scrittura creativa che vi servirà.

Ivan Giorgi

Sarah Schumacher

Part memoir, part writing advice, part storytelling about recovery from being hit by a van (!) A great read, and I loved how down to earth he is. I was pleasantly surprised by his view that stories sort of tell themselves - you’re discovering them as you go and sharing them with the world. Reminded me a little of the ideas in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. His writing advice was more general/applicable to fiction for obvious reasons. If you want specific pointers pick up the Elements of Style.

For the record, I’ve never read, nor do I intend to read any of his books. Not my thing. But the man is a household name for a reason and I enjoyed reading about how he got to where he is. It’s in the same vein as Scott Adam’s How to Fail book - an average guy who works really hard to get really awesome at what he does and finds success. If you hear enough stories like this you’ll begin to understand what is meant when people say “you make your own luck.”

A great insight from one of the worlds most prolific storytellers, full of life lessons and practical advice on the craft of writing.

Japes Fawcett

Michael Springer

Unlike many books about writing, this book made me get up off of my ass and write. For this, I must give it at least four stars.

It's part autobiography, part advice. Since I've read about ninety-thousand books by Stephen King, I enjoyed both parts. 

In case you don't read it, here is Stephen King's advice, summed up in thirteen words. "Don't drink as much as I did. Write two-thousand words a day."

Ed Kay

Great little volume wherein a master craftsman explains why and how he writes.

We begin with a "CV": a series of vignettes from the writer's life. Snippets of memory, anecdotes and seemingly random reminiscences that offer a fascinating insight into what made Stephen King Stephen King. Plus a great deal of huffing and puffing about why writing about writing is a pain in the ass, and that just because he can do it well doesn't necessarily mean he can or wants to explain to others how to do it.

Then he goes on to do exactly that, simply and carefully, but thoroughly.

First up, the "Toolbox": a brief primer on grammar, vocabulary and style. Then to the meat of the matter, "On Writing" itself. How you put your toolbox to use and craft a story that people want to read. Suffice it to say, he makes it sound very simple.

One thing that stood out, and amused me a little, was his discussion of plotting. He proudly expounds on how his stories evolve organically according to wherever the characters take him. To me, this is the only wishy washy part of the whole book, and since I HATE his endings (despite, or because of, loving 99.9% of the rest of his lengthy novels) it explained quite a lot.

Finally he ends with a short and brutal story of near death and horrific recovery - except this isn't a fiction, it's his real life. During the writing of this book he was run down while out for his daily constitutional, and this chapter reveals how writing brought him back to life.

Finishing with a neat example of how to edit a first draft, as well as a reading list that would take you a lifetime to get through, it's a perfect, neat and brilliant summary of a writer's life and motivations.

Inspiring.

I once heard: "You love your work when you do it even if, at times, it makes you suffer". Stephen King loves his work, and this book is the proof of that.

Lorenzo Barretta

Cristian Garcia

I loved this book. I read it in a week. King's advice is simple yet powerful and straightforward. His words are wise and funny at the same time. The first half of the book (the memoir) is also delightful.
Overall, a must if you like King.

Keven Wang

One might enjoy it more if they are a Stephen King fan. 

My enjoyment started around page 140 or so.

Rohan Uddin

Pure fascination. King writes as if he's speaking to us and that is what makes the novel a great one.

Erwin Lemuel Oliva

If you're looking to find any formula to writing well, this is NOT the book for you. But, King offers insights on his thought process, plus some anecdotes that would either make you laugh, scratch your head, or just nod in agreement.

Nick Gracilla

This book is as much a memoir of Stephen King’s life as it is a story of the challenges, perils, and moments of salvation that writing presents. Drilled in: “Tell. The. Story!” As well as the importance of drafts, private/internal, then for feedback, then for editing. Stories on the discipline of the craft earned through King’s many dozens of books ring true. It’s a no nonsense, BS free discussion. Recommended.

On Writing A Memoir Of The Craft

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