On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft image number 0

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.

Item Information Item Information

Format: TradePaperback
Author: King, Stephen
ISBN: 9781982159375
Condition: Used
Dimensions: 8.30 x 0.90
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Year: 2020

Customer Reviews

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5 ★ 71%

4 ★ 14%

3 ★ 14%

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4.6

7 Ratings

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The best book on writing available.

Avery S. - 1 year ago

Despite my love-hate relationship with Stephen King's works, On Writing is forever on my favorites list. The first half of the book is a memoir in which King points to significant moments in his life and how they influenced him not just as a writer, but as a teller of the truth. The practical half of the book has sound advice without getting too preachy or tedious. Writing tools (both literal and figurative), routine, mechanics, and publishing are all addressed. He even helps the reader confront the reality that not everyone is meant to be a writer. Whether a fan of King's works or an aspiring writer yourself, On Writing is well worth the read.
HPB Staff Review
An insightful look into the life of a writer

Sunny R. - 2 years 2 months ago

In "On Writing" Stephen King shares his experience as a writer and his thoughts on the craft in a fashion as engaging as his fiction. We begin where he began, a childhood filled with comical and sometimes painful memories. He tells us of his love for monster movies and magazines and tells us how he first started writing fiction. We are fascinated by stories of his attempts at publication and his struggles to support his family, as we too often forget that successful people always start somewhere. By the time he has his first taste of success, we feel like we know him making his advice in the second part of the book all the more impactful. King shares practical advice about what works for him creatively, frequently including examples (by himself and other famous authors) to help illuminate points about writing from how to structure a paragraph to developing plot and characters. I highly recommend this book, even if one never plans to write. It is well paced, heartwarming, and informative.
HPB Staff Review
Stephen King on Stephen King, then on writing.

Pat M. - 5 years 10 months ago

King fans will find the first half or so of the book more interesting than I did. Autobiographical, to some extent it gives a look into why he writes the subject matter he does, but there was not much of actual value to me on the craft. The second part of the book, the nuts and bolts if you will, was what I was after, and to the extent any author can say "this is how I do it", the job was well done. The book ends with some 200 titles King feels like are good reads for an aspiring author, and some of it might be tough sledding. I will have to winnow down the list into some books that I feel would hold my interest. All in all, if you are a Stephen King fan, a very enjoyable book. If you are an aspiring writer, you could do worse, but you may want to skim the first part and dive into the second.
Any reader/writer will benefit

Erin B. - 5 years 10 months ago

Part memoir, part writing advice, this is the perfect mix of King's personal history and simple advice on how to improve your writing. I don't think I'll ever write again without taking his words into consideration. #SummerReading
One for King fans and budding writers alike!

Hayden R. - 5 years 10 months ago

As a writer myself, I found this to be an intriguing read, both as an autobiography and as a writer’s guidebook. It begins - and ends - as a man looking back on what he loves to write and what drives him to write; in between is a writing course for his fans and budding writers. Some of the tips here on how to improve your writing skills are applicable and helpful, such as ensuring you read a lot as well as write a lot and what kind of description to give your opening chapters and beyond. There are some tips that not everyone will find helpful - I don’t find writing a first draft in three months to be something I am able to do personally - but King himself says that writing is to be enjoyed more than anything else. So for all who want to get some clues on how to write something you’re proud of, and for those who are simply fans of King’s work, this will be one to sink your teeth into. #summerreading

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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

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The best book on writing available.

An insightful look into the life of a writer

Stephen King on Stephen King, then on writing.

Any reader/writer will benefit

One for King fans and budding writers alike!