Because readers can identify with many of kings threedimensional, dynamic characters, his stories captivate and engage his loyal fans and firsttime readers. He admits that not even the king himself always sticks to his rulesbut trying to follow them is a go. Both fans of stephen king and budding writers but especially both will find this book informative. On writing, as its title suggests, is stephen kings book on how to write. A memoir of the craft new and aspiring fiction authors will enjoy this book. On writing ebook by stephen king 9780743211536 rakuten kobo. May 30, 2017 stephen kings greatest writing advice is the nobullshit version of all those rejection letters writers receive, probably because he got a ton himself over his decadesspanning career, stephen king has written an astounding 54 novels that have sold over 350 million copies.
A memoir of the craft by stephen king discussion guide for book clubs. Mar 04, 2014 for more recommended books, see stephen kings reading list part ii and part iii. Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of stephen kings critically lauded, mil. Stephen kings reading list for writers books and writing.
Feb 19, 2016 besides practising writing via this blog, i figured i should get advice from excellent writers. Apr 07, 2009 there are plenty of books on writing out there, mostly by writers you have never heard of and probably never will. Oct 01, 2000 in our final extract from his new book, on writing, stephen king reveals six key rules for writing a bestseller. Stephen kings top 20 rules for writers open culture. Stephen king is usually one of the most prolific writers of popular fiction. Heres some background on the mainebased writer and a bibliography, featuring details about some of his most notable works. Buy on writing by stephen king from waterstones today. It s amusing when you stop to think about itfor years people have argued about whether or not such a thing exists, folks like j. This is not a textbook on grammar and sentence structure.
Stephen king is one of the most prolific authors alive, known for writing horror, fantasy, and psychological thrillers. Misery is far from stephen king s worst, by the way. A useful book for any young writer, and a must for fans, this is unmistakably king. Stephen kings top writing tips the writing cooperative. Jul, 2010 this is a special book, animated by a unique intelligence, and filled with useful truth. I love that book, and reading it really gave me a new respect for kings books. Read on writing a memoir of the craft by stephen king available from rakuten kobo. Long live the king hailed entertainment weekly upon the publication of stephen kings on writing.
A memoir of the craft, king suggests that stories are found objects and it is the writers job to watch what happens and write it down. If youre willing to give him another chance, check out the collections night shift and skeleton crew. A memoir of the craft, touches on each of these activities. His recent work includes the institute, elevation, the outsider, sleeping beauties cowritten with his son owen king, and the bill hodges trilogy. I cant say ive read any of king s books, though ive seen a few movie versions. A memoir of the craft by mameve medwed theres no disputing stephen king, the king of bestsellers, can write. Jun 29, 2017 kings struggle back to health, from being unable to pick up a pen for months to writing bestsellers again, is really inspiring. Whats more, and whats new, is that he can teach you how to do it.
If youve always wondered what led steve to become a writer and how he came to be the success he is today. Jun 25, 2002 the first third of the book contains king s memoir, which includes heartfelt tidbits about his brother, mother and his long battles with alcohol and drug addiction. Stephen kings books have sold over 350 million copies. Still, for writers, this book is a treasure with insights into king s writing method, as well as practical advice for aspiring writers not the least of which is how much perseverance plays a part in the making of a writer. Kings book on writing on the shelf, thought it was good that horror writers now had their own bible, and moseyed downstairs to the usedbooks basement, where i liked to hunt for old mccaffrey and bradbury books. On writing is both a textbook for writers and a memoir of stephens life and will, thus, appeal even to those who are not aspiring writers. Stephen kings memoir on writing has become a goto advice book for emerging authors.
My primary writing project during the past year has been to write a memoir. King describes the symbolism in many of his novels and offers writers common sense advice. King shares stories that shaped his writing career while offering practical advice for writers and other creative professionals. Say what you want about his novels, the man knows the craft of writing insideout. I have to admit that i havent read a single one of stephen king s books. Perhaps the most important thing this book has taught me is that i should feel proud of being a writer. A list of stephen kings written works, organized alphabetically. Below are the top thirteen lessons i learned from that book.
Do you agree with stephen king that the desire to write always starts with a love of reading. Lesson 1 five top tips to get started creative writing duration. The wall street journal on writing had more useful and observant things to say about the craft than any book since strunk and white s the elements of style. It pulls you in while reading, because he is sharing real life experiences. He has written over 200 short stories, most of which have been compiled in book collections.
Like them or loathe them, you have to admit thats impressive. And, when the time comes to write you will know it. For some reason i have a hard time enjoying fiction. Which is why i reached for stephen kings on writing. Did your childhood experiences influence your desire to write. Short and snappy as it is, stephen kings on writing really contains two books. On writing takes the reader on an emotional journey where you begin to feel like stephen king is talking directly to you. No, the subtitle very succinctly describes the contents. Discuss kings extended metaphor of writing as excavation. You can really get to see how he developed as a writer. Kings manual on writing reveals that hes relentlessly dedicated to his craft.
The last book on novel writing that youll ever need by. He admits that not even the king himself always sticks to his rulesbut trying to follow them is a good start. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The buzz about kings book wasnt immediate, but it was persistent. This is about stephen king s journey to become a published author and his experiences in wrestling with. Oct 03, 2000 on writing is for me handsdown the best book ive read about the craft of writing and living the life of a writer by a writer. Ten things i learned about writing from stephen king books. Many of kings books have been turned into celebrated films, television series and streamed events including the shawshank redemption, geralds game and it. I want to put a group of characters perhaps a pair. Oct 30, 2015 ten things i learned about writing from stephen king. What role did stephen king s childhood play in his evolution as a writer. I too have stephen kings book, on writing a memoir of the craft. In the process, king makes mockery of that old bromide, those who can, do.
In this book he tells us what first made him a horror writer. Kings written some mammoth books, and theyre often about mammoth things. As well as being a fantastic writing tool, it is a captivating mix of autobiography and personal experience. Stephen king s on writing is truly one of the best books ive ever read. Stephen king is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide. What writing is stephen king what writing is telepathy of. The second part of the book, on writing, is where aspiring novelists might find inspiration. Rhine have busted their brains trying to create a valid testing process to isolate it, and all the time it s been right there, lying out in the open like mr. Mar 22, 20 stephen kings books have sold over 350 million copies. King published on writing, a book that sits in the. A memoir of the craft is a memoir by american author stephen king that describes his experiences as a writer and his advice for aspiring writers. Originally published in 2000 by charles scribners sons, on writing is kings first book after he was involved in a car accident a year earlier. Fans of stephen king should also check out this amazing graphic of the steph en king universe designed by australian illustrator gillian james, as well as this video in which king discusses the art of the short story.
Take note, as this is your chance to have a story published in the paperback. Stephen kings legacy as a bestselling horrorpsychological fiction writer is attributed to his writing style. King has published 63 novels, including seven under the pen name richard bachman, and five nonfiction books. Stephen king on writing micael widell on happiness. The write channel with nicola monaghan 99,005 views.
Nonfiction and fiction writers, bloggers and indie writers all praise this book. A memoir of the craft always comes up in articles, forum conversations, and books written by other writers and creatives who talk about the art of writing. Stephen kings on writing provides an intimate look into the mind and method of one of the most prolific popular fiction writers of our time. A list of stephen kings novels, organized alphabetically. Stephen king is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers.
By far, the best writing advice ive found is stephen kings book on writing. The writing style of stephen king freelancewriting. Great thoughts about writing mostly books from one of the most successful writers ever. Jay parini picks up writing tips from stephen kings on writing. The other is no one likes reading as much as you like 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 writers craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. Mar, 2017 the announcement is made even more significant by the fact that kings work has not flown as freely as usual recently. I think that king s best work is found in his short stories and novellas, where he curbs his literary elephantiasis his joke. It may work better if you can read and write as you go along. A memoir of the craft book by stephen king thriftbooks. In our final extract from his new book, on writing, stephen king reveals six key rules for writing a bestseller. Split into two parts, on writing first tells the story of what made stephen king a writer. Receiving an award from the national book association was a major moment in kings career, especially among his peers and being placed among other works deemed important in the literary sphere.