review

On Writing
Book Review

Though Stephen King may not be the all-time best writer out there, he is certainly one of the most prolific, and for that alone, this book warrants attention. The first section of the book is a memoir of his writing life, from childhood experiences that shaped him as a writer to the experiences that hindered him in adulthood, and in particular his struggle with alcohol.

Though King credits his prolificness to good health and a stable relationship, I imagine that his down-to-earth approach to writing also helps. This healthy attitude toward craft comes through in the second section of the book, which includes advice on everything from grammar to choosing an agent. He is also kind enough to toss in some bits of wisdom to make the novel as tasty as possible, such as

"Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down to write, remind yourself why it isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."

King also finds ways of explaining the craft that are perfectly understandable. He doesn't write to impress with vocabulary ( Unless four letter words are impressive to you) but writes what need to be written, and no more. According to him, creative writing is a process that while it can be made easier by outlining, planning, and preparation, does not always lead the writer to the best manuscript. He stress's the importance of writing, reading, assessing, and accepting rejection

It's obvious from reading On Writing that King loves to write and feels lucky to have done it for a living all of these years. This joyful approach to writing, and his real insights into the craft make you feel as though he's speaking directly to you, as if he was in the room with you. On writing is a book anyone can read, and should! If you enjoy a good story, and take pleasure in learning, on writing your ticket to ride.