On Writing

[Litlover8604]

I am currently taking a Creative Writing class that goes along with my English minor. In this class, we have to read On Writing by Stephen King... for those faithful readers out there, did anybody else find this book exteremly halarious? I couldn't stop laughing throughout the forwards! Excellent book.

[offthewall86]

I thought it was great fun, the man's got a great sense of humor. I was reading some of it to my brother the other day and we were both cracking up. I read On Writing about four years ago and it shapes the way I write to this day. Awesome book. Should be required reading for anyone remotely interested in writing.

[Eliza]

When On Writing was first released in book stores, a friend and fellow King fan read it and told me it was a huge dissapointment. So I never read it. Now, in this message board, at least half a dozen people have raved about it and given specific examples of why they enjoyed it so much. Honestly, I can't wait to read it now.

[ziki]

I don't remember it as hillarious but as a good book on writing.
Perhaps I ought to reread :-)

ziki

[theghost]

My favorite part of the whole book is when King talks about running into people at parties and such and hearing them say that they "want" to be writers. He makes the statement that you are either a writer or you aren't. Simple and so true. Even in a deep, dark dry spell like the one I'm having now, I KNOW I'm a writer. It's what I do. I recommend this book to anyone who asks me about "how" to be a writer.

[akpolarmom]

"On Writing" should indeed be required reading for aspiring writers. Kings lighthearted look at his own journey and writing tips has guided me in my writing. It was the first thing of his I ever read! In it he spoke of the book not yet finished "From a Buick 8" and I realized I actually had a copy on my shelf. I read it and was hooked. Someone suggested "The Tallisman", which I listened to on tapes. I loved it and had a hard time turning it off at night. ( I had to wind back severel times as I simply fell a sleep exchausted )It was sheer torture to have to wait for the second half to be returned to the library, so I could check it out. ( I actually picked up the book and continued where the tapes stopped, but it was so well done that I could actually still "hear" the reader as I read the book. I liked the sequal "Black house" specially because of the continuing list of charecters. In the past I have picked up and pt down several of his novels after just a few chapters, but some I want ot return to late. I also enjoyed "Bag of bones"

Akpolarmom

[jmanrique]

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theghost wrote:
My favorite part of the whole book is when King talks about running into people at parties and such and hearing them say that they "want" to be writers. He makes the statement that you are either a writer or you aren't. Simple and so true. Even in a deep, dark dry spell like the one I'm having now, I KNOW I'm a writer. It's what I do. I recommend this book to anyone who asks me about "how" to be a writer.

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I second that! "On Writing" is certainly a litmus test for any aspiring writer to take - King lays it all out ... the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read it, accept it, and live it - you are a writer.

Also found his guidance on the rewriting process to be invaluable.

[WildCityWoman]

When I got 'On Writing' out of the library, it was only because I was the leader of a writing group at the library at the time - some of the members had read it, so I felt I oughta' at least have a look at it.

I was prepared for another 'ho hum' book on writing, but was pleasantly surprised.

SK really shares his mind in that book.