Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by marathonreader
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book is such a gem, especially for but not limited to King fans. King walks through an inspiring account of his modest young adulthood and early parenting years, living in a trailer and working at a motel, while Tabitha worked at a Dunking Donuts. He recounts writing the first draft of Carrie in the trailers laundry room, for example, propping his son's little table on his lap. He also adds, humorously, "DO you need someone to make your paper badge with the word WRITER on it before you can belive you are one? Dear God, I hope not" (235). And thus, while some could take his tone a little pointed at times, does he lighten his voice with humor: some witty, some slapstick, some in-betweens.
He also validates my reading compulsions, noting that he himself averages 70-80 novels a year, and he reads for enjoyment (p. 145). He says twice that he carries a book with him everywhere, and that TC serves no purpose ("TV... really is about the last thing and aspiring writer needs," p. 148). Further, I felt less embarrassed about how long I spend reading a day (again, I read on my commute, which ranges from 90m - 130m, and then with breakfast and then in the bath at nighy). King said, "talent renders the whole idea of rehearsal meaningless... even if no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy... that goes for reading and writing as well as for playing a musical instrument... the sort of strenuous reading and writing program I advocate- four to six hours a day, every day- will not seem strenuous If you really enjoy doing these things and have an aptitude for them... if you feel you need permission to do all the reading and writing your little heart desires, however, consider it granted by yours truly" (150)
He also replaces the white what you know, with write "anything at all... as long as you tell the truth" (158), how the characters end up changing the story, how themes must arise out of consequence of the story, to let the first draft sit 6 weeks before you read it in one sitting, how background research is more like the "handful of spices you chuck into a good spaghetti sauce to really finish it off" (230).
"Good story ideas seem to come quite literally from nowhere... Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognise them when they show up" (p. 37)
A piece of advice from John Gould: "Whej you write a story, you're telling yourself the story.. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story" (57)
This reminds us of one Elements of Style theme that resurfaces many times in King's book: say only what you need to say, enough to communicate. Readers will fill in the blanks, form the characters' outfits, understand the tones of voice and posturing, if you've shown enough.
At the same time, one of his last sections in the book is titled On Living. He reminds us, time and time again, not to lose your life in your work. I am reminded of Giuseppe Tomasi de Lampedusa. King says, "Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around" (101)
He also validates my reading compulsions, noting that he himself averages 70-80 novels a year, and he reads for enjoyment (p. 145). He says twice that he carries a book with him everywhere, and that TC serves no purpose ("TV... really is about the last thing and aspiring writer needs," p. 148). Further, I felt less embarrassed about how long I spend reading a day (again, I read on my commute, which ranges from 90m - 130m, and then with breakfast and then in the bath at nighy). King said, "talent renders the whole idea of rehearsal meaningless... even if no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy... that goes for reading and writing as well as for playing a musical instrument... the sort of strenuous reading and writing program I advocate- four to six hours a day, every day- will not seem strenuous If you really enjoy doing these things and have an aptitude for them... if you feel you need permission to do all the reading and writing your little heart desires, however, consider it granted by yours truly" (150)
He also replaces the white what you know, with write "anything at all... as long as you tell the truth" (158), how the characters end up changing the story, how themes must arise out of consequence of the story, to let the first draft sit 6 weeks before you read it in one sitting, how background research is more like the "handful of spices you chuck into a good spaghetti sauce to really finish it off" (230).
"Good story ideas seem to come quite literally from nowhere... Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognise them when they show up" (p. 37)
A piece of advice from John Gould: "Whej you write a story, you're telling yourself the story.. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story" (57)
This reminds us of one Elements of Style theme that resurfaces many times in King's book: say only what you need to say, enough to communicate. Readers will fill in the blanks, form the characters' outfits, understand the tones of voice and posturing, if you've shown enough.
At the same time, one of his last sections in the book is titled On Living. He reminds us, time and time again, not to lose your life in your work. I am reminded of Giuseppe Tomasi de Lampedusa. King says, "Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around" (101)