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On Writing (Stephen King, Hardcover, 2000)
On Writing (Stephen King, Hardcover, 2000)
Author: Stephen King
ISBN-10: 0684853523
ISBN-13: 9780684853529
Format: Hardcover
Publication Year: 2000
Category: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY,  COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS,  LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES

In this combination memoir and writing guide, best-selling author Stephen King tells of how he came to be a writer and, in the process, explores many aspects of writing, from plot construction through some of the nuts and bolts of getting a book published. Much of his advice is quite traditional: find a quiet place to work, concentrate on character, master grammar and punctuation, keep THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE handy. And, like all good writers, he stresses the primary importance of reading, and in... | More
 
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5/5 from 12 reviews
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Price: $11.89 - $20.00
List Price: $25.00 (Save 52%)
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5/5
Not what you'd expect from King, but brilliant!
by: daddyskeekel (421Feedback is 100 to 499) Review created: 09/30/06
2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful.

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.
 
4/5
Much more fascinating than the average "how to" book
by: ucsdphilosopher (8) Review created: 08/01/07
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful.

I love writing, but as most writers feel a sense of insecurity when it comes to embracing the grittiness of it. Stephen King's memoir demonstrates we are not alone in this. Taken from the man himself--who is arguably the most successful writer in modern-day America--is his own descriptive story about how he evolved from kid in a single-mother, working-class American household into the genius narrator and movie mogul he is today. King weaves in excellent tips throughout the biography--and leaves us with the story of his own near death experience back in '98 when he was hit by a car. Interesting enough, he wrote the book before and after this traumatic episode, which may account for the more personal side of Stephen King we don't see in his usual works. Overall, it was fascinating to learn about the man behind the horror stories and shadow his own experience from a poor, struggling family man to multi-millionaire novelist.
 
5/5
On Writing by Stephen King
by: spugoni (231Feedback is 100 to 499) Review created: 07/08/07
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful.

Any fan of Stephen King would love this book, and I am a HUGE fan. His imaginative stories and true to life characters have always made his books come alive for me. Stephen King's books are hard to put down, and this one is
no exception. What I enjoyed most were his tales of growing up. Even as a child he wrote stories and sold them at school. In high school he wrote for the school paper, and in college he continued to write and met his wife Tabitha. Stephen's book on writing will make you feel like he's talking only to you, and telling you the story of his life. You'll learn more about that marvelously creative mind of his and how he gets his ideas and his characters. This is what I was looking for when I bought his book, and I was not disappointed. I give it an Excellent rating.
 
5/5
For The Aspiring Writer
by: cyandolphin (116Feedback is 100 to 499) Review created: 07/06/07
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful.

Being a huge Stephen King fan I just had to own this book. The insight into the mind of someone who has gone from a simple teacher who originally threw away "Carrie" to surving a horrific accident, is priceless. He is clear and explains how he "creates" so anyone can do it. Awsome book!!
 
5/5
On Writing by Stephen King
by: ladyzinn1936 (16Feedback is 10 to 49) Review created: 06/07/07
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful.

I bought this book because my husband recently retired and began writing books. He was told about Stephen King's book, "On Writing". I purchased it for him for an early birthday gift. He really likes the book. He's not a big fan of Stephen Kings stories but likes the way he write his book. He's down to earth and he tells it like it is. The book has many good suggestions to beginning writers. It's a learning tool as well as a good read. A wise very purchase.
 
5/5
On Writing by Stephen King
by: vallan (238Feedback is 100 to 499) Review created: 12/04/06
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful.

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!!
 
5/5
For the writer and the fan
by: voodoonites (512Feedback is 500 to 999) Review created: 05/05/08

For the writer this book shows, that if you have it within, you can overcome obstacles. As you will see the obstacles that Stephen King overcame, to become what he is today.

For the fan, this book will give you a new perspective on the works of King that you thought you knew so well. I will not spoil the book for you, but as you read what the author was going through when he wrote certain books, you may just say, "oh, now I understand where he got that from" and want to read the book again.

This is a book I would recommend.
 
5/5
Great to read again.
by: buy_from_the_harmony_collection (1525Feedback is 1,000 to 4,999) Review created: 04/24/08

I loved this book the first time I read it and just finished reading it again a few years later. This is a must read for aspiring writers. King fills the book with snippets of his life, telling how he first began writing and of all the rejections until he got published. And look at him now!! Great read.
 
5/5
On Writing. A Recommended Read
by: bookshopofhorror (253Feedback is 100 to 499) Review created: 03/09/08

There are too many books to help the aspiring writing. But this is one of the perhaps two handfuls that is a "Must read". Not just because its written by one of the most popular writers of a few generations but because Stephen draws upon the experiences, insights and learnings from a lifetime of aspirations, struggles and eventually, success.

The book has a autobiographical approach blending stories from Stephen's life as a means of helping the writer understand some of the most valuable lessons a writer needs to know.

Highly Recommended! Two ink stained 'Thumbs Up'.

Crypt Keeper
The Bookshop of Horror
 
5/5
On Writing
by: jama42006 (549Feedback is 500 to 999) Review created: 02/22/08

Who knew that King was once a struggling writer who didn't have enough money to get "pink stuff" for his daughter's fever? Through perserverance King collected his rejection slips, continued to submit his work and continued to do what he was born to do - write! There are interesting facts on the backgrounds on some of his most successful works and snippets from his life starting in childhood. On Writing is a fantastic read where King blends memoir and how-to, and shares his sometimes unorthodox approaches to writing. We are not all horror writers but his insights and know-how can be applied for any type of fiction writing.
 
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