On Writing
Stephen King
2000
288 pages
********************
For the FTC: I borrowed this one from the library. Do you want to see my library card?
********************
Confession time. I have never read a Stephen King novel. And I have no desire to. That whole horror thing just creeps me out. Although, the movie Secret Window rocks. Also, Shawshank Redemption…probably my most favoritist movie ever. And The Green Mile, that was pretty darn good, too. Still, I have no plans to read his fiction.
However, I recently read On Writing, and I was impressed. The book starts out with King telling the reader about his childhood and early adulthood, about the influences on his writings and the major events that shaped his life. And because he was up to no good a good deal of the time, his childhood has some entertaining moments.
Then, he moves into talking about craft. He talks about what is needed in a writer’s toolbox…vocabulary (don’t force it… “use the first word that comes to mind, if it is appropriate and colorful”), grammar (you know more than you think), active verbs (avoid the passive tense like the plague) and adverbs (King loathes adverbs, he says “the road to hell is paved with adverbs”), paragraphs (they should flow) and weight (the combination of all of the above).
The next portion of the book focuses on actual writing…which requires hard work, dedication and help. Writing is work, and King talks about how he approaches his work, and the necessity of reading a lot and writing a lot. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” p. 147
Other bits from the book:
“Book-buyers aren’t attracted, by and large, by the literary merits of a novel; book-buyers want a food story to take with them on the airplane, something that will first fascinate them, then pull them in and keep them turning the pages. This happens, I think, when readers recognize the people in a book, their behaviors, their surroundings, and their talk.” p. 160
“Plot is, I think, the good writer’s last resort and the dullard’s first choice. The story which results from it is apt to feel artificial and labored.” p. 164
“Symbolism doesn’t have to be difficult and relentlessly brainy. Nor does it have to be consciously crafted as a kind of ornamental Turkish rug upon which the furniture of the story stands.” p. 198
“Symbolism exists to adorn and enrich, not to create a sense of artificial profundity.” p. 200
“Writing and literature classes can be annoyingly preoccupied by (and pretentious about) theme, approaching it as the most sacred of sacred cows, but (don’t be shocked) it’s really no big deal.” p. 200
And really, King’s use of parentheses is not influencing my positive thoughts. Well, okay, maybe they are just a little.
Finally, he ends the book by talking about the accident (well, not much of an accident…the dude hit him) that caused severe injuries, and how it helped him to refocus on the importance of writing in his life.
Some people might think that King’s approach to writing is like his novels…casual. But I like his approach, and his attitude. Writing is clearly his profession, and he works hard at it. Although his stories are not for everyone, they have been wildly successful and he obviously appeals to a great number of people. He also has interesting things to say about his profession, and provides insight as to how he works, and what he likes, and doesn’t like. I especially like his attitudes regarding the importance of reading, and theme and symbolism (two things that I often overlook and don’t like to be beat over the head with).
I can’t do horror so I don’t read King, but I loved the movies Stand by Me and Shawshank Redemption. I have no aspirations to be a writer, so I probably won’t read this one either, but it is always highly recommended.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Caribbean Black Bean Dinner =-.
I got this book for Christmas several years ago and never read it. I’ve tried to read Stephen King but have never been able to see what all the fuss was about. He’s not a bad writer but I didn’t think he was anything special either. And I know it’s horror, but I also felt that he overused graphic language to the point where it just feels like empty shock value. (But then again, Bentley Little’s pointless use of violence against women to up the horror ante of his books is infinitely worse.)
.-= EL Fay´s last blog ..The Savage Bolaño =-.
I’ve read a couple of King’s novels and do want to read more; however, I don’t plan to read all of his backlist. Some horror doesn’t interest me at all. That’s probably why I won’t watch all of his movies. The ones you mention though, are among my favorites of his though.
As I read the quotes you chose from the book, I found myself agreeing with his thoughts on symbolism and theme too.
I’ve heard great things about this book, but haven’t really considered reading it (I don’t especially have an interest in reading books about writing). Maybe it’s something I should consider for my husband though.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Christmas Came Early This Year =-.
I’ve heard mixed reviews on this one. A couple of writer friends love it, while a few other friends really hated it. I’m not sure why I’ve never read it… maybe because I don’t read King books and have no desire to write like he does, so why read it? I should reconsider though, I think.
.-= Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last blog ..Review: The Geography of Bliss =-.
I think you might like The Green Mile, I really enjoyed it. But then again I read it years and years ago. In middle school? I read books that were really inappropriate for my age, but I survived. He’s also a really great short story writer. This has been on my TBR for forever, so I’m looking forward to finally reading it one of these days.
.-= Lu´s last blog ..CONGRATULATIONS Beth Revis!! =-.
All I’ve read of Stephen King is his columns in Entertainment Weekly. Though I don’t plan on reading his novels, I liked his friendly style of writing in the column which your well-chosen quotes also exemplify. Plus, as I’m originally from Maine, it was nice to think of him as ‘ours.’ When I was in high school, classmates spotted him at one of our basketball games which was cool.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Review Round-up: YA Fiction =-.
I have never read Stephen King as well! (I loved Shawshank the movie too) I heard about this book a lot though and would love to read it sometime. Sounds like a much quicker read than Reading Like a Writer
.-= mee´s last blog ..Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith and Andrew Sachs (Audiobook/Podcasts) =-.
I enjoyed the audio version of this when I listened to it over 5 years ago. I can still recall parts of it, especially his references to writing as a child, and things he had to say about his mother.
Great review!
.-= diane´s last blog ..Library Loot 12-18-09 =-.
If I double dog dared you to read The Stand, would you?
I used to read all the Stephen King I could get my hands on … then I got scared and stopped reading his horror!
I like the sound of this book, and the attitude King has about writing. I think I’m spending more time reading about writing than actually writing these days …
(and a parenthetical just to be fun!)
.-= Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..Christmas Cooking: Magic Reindeer Food =-.
I don’t think that one has to be a fan of horror to appreciate “On Writing” by Stephen King. I read this one a couple months ago, and felt that Stephen King had good advice and brought up things for me to ponder, especially for the way that I write my blog.
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..Some Mini-Reviews =-.
This is the only Stephen King book I’ve ever read, and I liked it a lot – the memoir portions were interesting, and the writing advice was very practical and down-to-earth. Still not interested in his horror fiction, though…
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..Book talk: Back to Deep Valley High School with Betsy =-.
I so wanted to like a Stephen King book after reading this one. I tried a couple of them (including The Stand) and gave up. This one’s great, though, and I had a lot more respect for him as a writer after reading it.
.-= Ali (worducopia)´s last blog ..Unfinished Friday: Lady MacBeth’s Daughter =-.
I really enjoyed this book too … I thought it was a wonderful insight into a real writer’s world. And I admire Mr. King … not all of his books are for me but some of them are terrific…really really good.
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..2010 100+ Book Reading Challenge =-.
I’ve read one or two King novels, but this book is one of my all-time favorites.
I do like Stephen King, but I’ve recommended this book to plenty of people who don’t like his writing. What he has to say about the writing process and the discpline required seems relevant to anyone who’s interested in writing. He’s just so down-to-earth and practical about it.
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..North and South =-.
I had to stop reading Stephen King after “It” – I got too scared!! I remember reading the book on a sunny beach, and feeling goosebumps rising at a descriptive passage. *shiver* I think he is an excellent writer, but his choice (?) of genre has limited recognition of his skill.