"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write."In 1999, Stephen King began to write about his craft -- and his life. By midyear, a widely reported accident jeopardized the survival of both. And in his months of recovery, the link between writing and living became more crucial than ever.Rarely has a book on writing been so clear, so useful, and so revealing. On Writing begins with a mesmerizing account of King's childhood and his uncannily 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, will afford readers a fresh and often very funny perspective on the formation of a writer. King next turns to the basic tools of his trade -- how to sharpen and multiply them through use, and how the writer must always have them close at hand. He takes the reader through crucial aspects of the writer's art and life, offering practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character development to work habits and rejection. Serialized in the New Yorker to vivid acclaim, On Writing culminates with a profoundly moving account of how King's overwhelming need to write spurred him toward recovery, and brought him back to his life.Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower -- and entertain -- everyone who reads it.

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Scribner
ISBN-10
0684853523
ISBN-13
9780684853529
eBay Product ID (ePID)
1697899

Product Key Features

Format
Hardcover
Publication Year
2000
Author
Stephen King
Language
English

Dimensions

Weight
16.1 Oz
Width
5.5in.
Height
1in.
Length
8.4in.

Additional Product Features

Dewey Edition
23
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
808.02
Target Audience
Trade
Copyright Date
2000
Number of Pages
288 Pages
Lc Classification Number
Ps3561.I483z475 2000
Publication Date
2000-10-03
Reviews
"This is a special book, animated by a unique intelligence, and filled with useful truth."Michael Chabon, "A One-Of-A-Kind Classic."-- the Wall Street Journal, 'the Best Book ON Writing. Ever.'-- the Plain Dealer (Cleveland), " On Writing had more useful and observant things to say about the craft than any book since Strunk and White's The Elements of Style."--Roger Ebert
Lccn
00-030105

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4.9

4.9 out of 5 stars based on 78 product ratings

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5 out of 5 stars
by daveseaman31362May 22, 2010
Stephen King is an American Treasure
Stephen King, like Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe, began his career with the reputation of a factory writer: churn 'wm in, get 'em out. His sales went through the roof and despite the fact that most of his characters' conflict was internal, many of his books and short stories were turned into highly acclaimed films (The Body, Rita Haworth and The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, Misery). In 2003, the National Book Foundation awarded King the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. This did it. And so, despite his humility, his book "On Writing: A Memoir of The Craft" became well justified. This book has a natural appeal to two types of readers: those who are fascinated with Stephen King and his mind and those who are writers and are interested in how a man can be as prolific as he. King says the only book necessary is William Strunk and E.B. White's "Elements Of Style" (of which I own seven copies-I distribute it like tissues) but I believe that reading Kings memoir-and it IS a memoir of craft, barely an autobiography- is another helpful and critical book for those who wish to "become writers." (Both King and I would point out that by reviewing his book on eBay this morning I have become a writer.) The reason is simple: in his short book, published in 2000, King grants us the permission to write. "On Writing" has done far more than Strunk and White did; their book simply gives us the very basics of grammar, sentence construction and brevity. But how can one read and essay or book by E.B. White and think, "I can do that?" And as far as what we're thinking as we read Stephen King, it's really nothing more than a total immersion into character, plot and relevance. That's how well Stephen King writes. It's like watching Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice" and analyzing her acting choices. "On Writing" gets into his personal life in so far as how it affects his writing. The book was constructed in two parts though not officially. This is because halway through the creation of his manuscript he was struck by a drunk driver and nearly killed. His return to his modest writing desk was labored, painful and a frightening thing for him. As a result, "On Writing" is more than a how to book, it's far more than a "This is my story" book and it's far more beefy, for the lack of a better word, than any book he's written, before or since (and I include his finest book to Date: "Under The Dome"). "On Writing" is a small book that inspires us to become what we dream; it needn't be a writer, it could be a musician, actor, film maker, anything at all. Not only does this book grant us the permission, but it justifys the permission. And all the time he stresses the importance of what life is really about: our family or friends and our self respect. I own four copies of this book, simply because one is signed by King, one needs to be at hand and I got it here on eBay for a few dollars and because the other two are crated away in a house that held more than five thousand books when I moved in last fall. Even if you don't wish to be a writer or if you're not a fan of Stephen King-and it's a rare person who wasn't moved by SOMETHING he wrote- this book is worth owning, teaching and lending. And it takes a LOT for me to lend a book. Thanks, Steve.Read full review
5 out of 5 stars
by 220851753@delet...Jan 15, 2009
A writer's life with no BS
This is not so much an autobiography as it is a history of how Steven King became a writer. It's a memoir of his writing life! It offers wonderful insight on how he became a writer and what concerns him most today on being a popular writer as opposed to a literary novelist. That is, people rarely talk about the language in his writing and that is the context of this book, the language within the writing. As an engineer transitioning into a career in writing, I feel remorse that I didn't follow my passion for writing at a young age like Steven King, but this book reminds aspiring writers wherever you may be in your life that it's never too late to write that first novel. This is a good read for writers, because it's low on the BS and high on good ideas!
5 out of 5 stars
by daddyskeekelSep 30, 2006
Not what you'd expect from King, but brilliant!
In this fascinating memoir, Stephen King writes about how his experiences with writing. He explains how life events and other factors have contributed to his vast catalogue of novels and short stories. In addition, he talks about those who have influenced his writing as well as where his ideas have come from. Especially interesting are his anecdotes about his drug use and how it affected his writing and writing ability. It's a book you can read in chapters, as its not necessary to sit and read from start to finish (although it's so good youll want to). The book is a great read for entertainment value, and it's also a great thing to share with writing students of many different ages. I've used some of it (the appropriate parts!) with middle school students as they struggle with their own writing. A great book on many levels.Read full review
5 out of 5 stars
by renovate7479May 15, 2018
A good read
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book by Stephen King. He gives a lot of good advice about writing in an interesting way. In the first part of the book he talks about his earlier years, which is extremely interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone, writer, would-be-writer, or just an interested reader.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
5 out of 5 stars
by vallanDec 04, 2006
On Writing by Stephen King
This book is a very easy read. It's fascinating and entertaining in it's own right,(especially to King fans), and that's if you don't count the really solid and often illuminating advice King gives to prospective authors. You're not going to be lectured on theme and composition by an english teacher with a novel at home in his desk drawer; you're going to be given the honest, inside line by the master of dark fiction himself. Even if you never write a word yourself after reading this book, you'll still acquire an interesting perspective on what you read in the future. HUGELY recommended!!

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item 1 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft 1 -On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

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Stephen King is an American Treasure

A writer's life with no BS

Not what you'd expect from King, but brilliant!

A good read

On Writing by Stephen King

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