Because I am hip to the groove and only read the latest, trendiest and hottest of hot reads, I’m reviewing a book that Stephen King first had published in 2000.
But don’t let that date fool you. It’s a modern classic recommended by writers everywhere. Since I am finally admitting to myself that I am – gasp – a writer, I thought it was time I read it.
Here’s what I thought. Prepare yourself for a post full of gushing from a Stephen King fangirl.
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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft / Stephen King
(Hodder & Stoughton, 2000 – this edition printed 2012)
On Writing is part memoir, part reflection on writing techniques and approaches, and all brilliant.
When I read a book that might become a book review at some stage, I dog-ear pages with quotes that stand out to me. Which means I bestow upon this book the highest honour: a 16-dog-ear salute.
To be honest, there could have been plenty more. But before I started reading it, I had a little pep talk with myself. Come on, Em. You’re going to love this book. You can’t dog-ear everything that’s half good. Save it for the tips that zing through you. Save it for the fistpump moments.
If I’d dog-eared every page I wanted to, the book would have become an ode to origami instead of an ode to writing.
King’s story is enthralling. If you’ve ever wondered if writers are born or created, wonder no more. This one is born. King’s early days of pitching, pitching, pitching, the accumulated rejection slips, the sheer determination: he was never going to be anything but a writer.
Standout lines (and believe me, they were hard to whittle down):
- We could hear the pause after each rasping breath she drew growing longer and longer. Finally there were no more breaths and it was all pause.
- Your job isn’t to find (story) ideas but to recognize them when they show up.
- One of the really bad things you can do to your writing is to dress up the vocabulary, looking for long words because you’re maybe too ashamed of your short ones. This is like dressing up a household pet in evening clothes.
- It’s as easy to overdescribe as underdescribe. Probably easier… When it comes to scene-setting and all sorts of description, a meal is as good as a feast.
- When dialogue is right, we know. When it’s wrong we also know – it jags on the ear like a badly tuned musical instrument.
- You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons of all are the ones you teach yourself.
On Writing is wonderful, and it’s a reality check for anyone who wants to be a writer. That said, it’s only ever uplifting.
Highly recommended for everyone, but particularly for those who are writers or perhaps even just contemplating the possibility of perhaps maybe one day trying to write something. You can buy it from Booktopia here, or from Book Depository here.
Have you read On Writing? What did you think?
* The links in this post are affiliate links. If you click to buy the item, I earn a little commission but you don’t pay any extra.
As one of King’s Constant readers, I read this a little while after it was first released and found it fascinating. His keep-it-real approach and way of bringing terror into suburbia is one of the things I love best about his writing and the biographical elements were such an insight into his early life, career and recovery after the accident. Although I’ve only applied his tips to fanfiction so far (don’t judge!), maybe one day I’ll get around to some “real” writing!
All writing is real writing. No judgement here!
I don’t really make enough time for reading at the moment but this book certainly sounds intriguing.
Well worth it, even if you’re not a regular reader.
Hi and thank you Emily! As a fellow King fangirl I have read On Writing but your review has reminded me I also wrote about it on my much neglected blog many moons ago. It is here if you want to check it out http://wolfandword.net/?p=156 . It’s a bit clunky and I have cracked myself up by using an adverb when speaking of King’s anti-adverb stance. Anyway, your post has sparked my imagination and inspired me to return to my blog and show it some love. Thank you 🙂 (PS feel free to delete the post link if you think it’s a bit rude, just thought you might like to read my review as a fellow fangirl.)
I will check it out – but am on holiday at the moment so not until next week (sorry!). Thanks for including the link. Not rude at all. If it was a link to a casino or a Swedish-made penis enlarger? Then there’d be problems!
I love, love, love this book. It’s so inspiring and yes, fist pump moments abound. I credit reading it with me finally getting my act together to start writing a novel. I’m 30,000 words in and have just finished plotting the chapter outline for the rest of it. Now I just have to write the other 50,000 words… Thank you Mr King!
Ooh yay, and well done! Reading it made me feel like I wanted to write a novel too, but then I thought of ten more children’s book ideas, and realised that’s where I want to be. For now, anyway. We’ll see!
Fabulous, this will be my next read!! Thanks for sharing your view Em x
Pleasure! Enjoy the read. (Also keen to hear what you thought of your other recent reads!)
I’m a huge King fan also and have read this book. This man knows about writing! Couldn’t agree more with your gushing! I am gutted as a I lent my copy of this book to someone at work who has since left and the book has gone with her! Thanks for reminding me that I really should get a new copy, I could do with a re-read.
I bought it in a big Book Depository sale – now wishing I’d given everyone the heads-up on Facebook! From memory the usual price is pretty good anyway.
I love this book because of his honesty about his life and he shares the true realities of writing for a living.
Yes! Yes. It’s hard, it’s lonely, and only 5% of writers make enough from writing to do it exclusively. Reality check without being a total kick in the guts because you feel his love for it anyway.
Oh yes, I love this book. I borrowed it years ago when it was recommended to me at a writing course I did and then I bought it and re-read it a couple of years ago.
I hate non-fiction but this is such a good mix of storytelling and advice mixed together. I’ve tabbed so many pages it’s ridiculous.
(In fact I should it out and have a re-read!)
Deb
Definitely have a re-read! I’ve already read it twice.
LOL, like you I only just recently gave myself permission to read this. What, you mean I’m an ACTUAL WRITER?! I’ve been that Constant Reader for years as well and if prompted, can go on a massive rant about how critically under-rated Stephen King is a as a writer. That seems to be changing now thank goodness, but he was always kind of sneered at as populist pulp fiction. Anyone with half a brain knows otherwise, and he is easily one of the greatest and most inventive storytellers of our lifetime. I’ve always loved his style because – aside from everything else – he’s a hugely fucking funny sonafabitch. So yeah. I loved this. I love him. Even though I don’t write narrative fiction his style has been a huge influence on me.
Stephen King is brilliant. Agreed – narrative fiction isn’t my writing bag, baby (WHAT IS WITH MY AUSTIN POWERS REFERENCES?) but I love his words anyway. And the examples.
Hi Em,
Thanks for this, it’s very timely for me right now, and I have had this book in the back of my mind for a long time, so I may as well buy it through your affiliate link
Oh, thank you! How lovely. I’m always nervous about including affiliate links – glad to know they’re not necessarily off-putting.
I read it at the end of last year and must read it again. Ode to Origami! Love it. I’m sure SK would approve Emily 🙂
Oh yeah, we’ll be BFFs now! Ha!
This sounds like a fantastic read, thanks for the tip. My favourite part of this post is the “16-dog-ear salute” – I love it! I’m a big page turner too. (p.s. was lovely to meet you, albeit briefly, at Voices. Thanks for taking that snap of me with a bag over my head…golly, I hope you remember that, otherwise this comment will read very strangely)! Have a good weekend.
Lovely to meet you! How could I forget someone asking me to take a photo of them with a bag over their head? And in the bathroom, no less?! I hope you get the book and enjoy the read.
I’ve heard so many good things about this book…have it on my shelf yet to be read. I should get cracking soon!
Read read read read read! You won’t regret it.
He’s an amazing talent. I love reading ‘behind the mind’ type books, of writers, actors, film makers etc. But especially writers. I must put this on my bedside pile (which is already teetering!).
I KNOW. My pile was already teetering, but this just had to go straight to the top as soon as it arrived!