Over his decadesspanning career, stephen king has written an astounding 54 novels that have sold over 350 million copies. Whatever adjectives critics throw at him, king plows ahead, turning out book after book, refining his craft, happily sharing his insights, and reading whatever he likes. Nonfiction and fiction writers, bloggers and indie writers all praise this book. There were plenty of books that did not make this list that i would still recommend as entertaining, stirring and useful for wouldbe writers, such as. I guess mostly because of one line in his on writing book, cujo has become the posterchild for the unconsciouslywritten novel.
The main characters of this non fiction, language story are stephen king. In 2000, king published on writing, a book that sits in the halfway space between autobiography and writing manual. Stephen king probably wrote one of the books or films that terrified you as a child or even, as an adult. Rarely has a book on writing been so clear, so useful, and so revealing. If you dont have time to read, you dont have the time or the tools to write. No one puts a grammar book on their list of riveting reads, but the elements of style is still a good handbook. As a writer it is one of the most useful and relatable texts i have found on the subject. Ten things i learned about writing from stephen king. A memoir of the craft, stephen king shares the following reading list of 96 books, covering a diverse range of fiction and nonfiction titles accompanying the list is this explanation. Stephen king, on writing, annotated bibliography coreys.
Film buffs might also read this book to garner the backstory on his films, many of which are now cult classics. If youve always wondered what led steve to become a writer and how he came to be the success he is today, this will. In the second afterword of on writing, stephen king provides a list of recommended books for aspiring authors. On writing by stephen king, 9781439156810, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. On writing begins with a mesmerizing account of kings childhood and his uncannily early focus on writing to tell a story. By far, the best writing advice ive found is stephen king s book on writing. Learn to write from than the king of horror writing not the king of horrible writing. Originally published in 2000 by charles scribners sons, on writing is king s first book after he was involved in a car accident a year earlier.
If you dont have time to read, you dont have the time or the. Stephen king is one of the most popular writers of all time, and his book on writing is widely considered one of the best books on the topic. The tone was relaxed and engaging, proving the point he makes in the book. On writing by stephen king, first edition abebooks. The author, whose work includes over 50 novels and 30 film adaptations. Stephen king has given writers a lot to think about these past few years in his numerous interviews and in his statement of craft, on writing. A memoir of the craft, touches on each of these activities. Long live the king hailed entertainment weekly upon publication of stephen kings on writing. 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. Stephen kings, on writing, is a book that talks about how stephen king came to be in his writing life.
Stephen king is one of the most read authors in the world. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 320 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. 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. He deems one of his most salient pieces of advice on writing so important that he repeats it twice in his top 20 rules for writers. His recent work includes the institute, elevation, the outsider, sleeping beauties cowritten with his son owen king, and the bill hodges trilogy. If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others. A memoir of the craft and indeed, it can improve your writing immensely. Enough so that this article has to suggest that the central metaphor in the book is addiction which i dont see at all. On writing is now a much loved addition to my reference library. Stephen king creates a list of 96 books for aspiring. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The first third of the book contains kings memoir, which includes heartfelt tidbits about his brother, mother and his long battles with alcohol and drug addiction.
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. Fiction writers, present company included, dont understand very. I guess authors who do books on writing rehash stuff but king does this neat writing advice sandwich, like this is why writing is meaningful to me. This book was on my wish list for a long time before i finally got down to reading it, and now i am wondering why i waited so long. Stephen king is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. The write channel with nicola monaghan 99,005 views. Ive navigated oceans of praise about stephen kings 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 writers craft, comprising the basic tools of. Talking about his early childhood, to being a teenager, to writing his first published pieces, stephen king goes through his process of how he. His recent work includes sleeping beauties cowritten with his son owen king, the short story collection the bazaar of bad dreams, the bill hodges trilogy end of watch, finders keepers, and mr. From the publisher in this combination of memoir and writing guide, bestselling 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. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as cds or access codes. Take note, as this is your chance to have a story published in the paperback.
Mercedes an edgar award winner for best novel, and shortlisted for the cwa gold dagger award. As evidence of his disregard for academic canons, we have his reading list for writers, which he attached as an appendix to on writing. A useful book for any young writer, and a must for fans, this is unmistakably king. The second part of the book, on writing, is where aspiring novelists might find inspiration. This is a short book because most books about writing are filled with bullshit. 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. King approaches the subject with great insight and dry wit ensuring a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans, budding authors and book lovers alike. The first edition of the novel was published in 2000, and was written by stephen king. Here is a distillation of some of his top tips for writers in any genre. Writing is not life, but i think that sometimes it can be a way back to life. It took me a while to finally pick up his memoir and start reading.
On writing is the book which looks into how king writes, but while his books are often formulaic and full of tropes, their interconnected universe, the human truth beneath the fiction and his ability to capture the uglier side of modern america, king knows what sells, but more importantly, he also knows what america fears most of all. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of. Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of stephen kings critically lauded, millioncopy bestseller shares. The book is also filled with writing lessons and teaches the importance of narration, dialogue, and. If youre a king fan, you know how often the immortal writer uses twitter. A memoir of the craft new and aspiring fiction authors will enjoy this book. In our final extract from his new book, on writing, stephen king reveals six key rules for writing a bestseller. For those unfamiliar with king, he is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers this book details kings writing career and covers everything from his childhood to selling carrie. Is there a familiar story structureformula that stephen. Second foreword this is a short book because most books about writing are. My primary writing project during the past year has been to write a memoir. Lesson 1 five top tips to get started creative writing duration. These seven writing tips from stephen king will help you write a better book, blog post, or magazine article. His work has been adapted into films, miniseries, television shows, comic books, video games, and more.
So, if he shares his insights on writing, you listen. Kings advice is grounded in the vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, nearfatal accident in 1999 and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Stephen king s memoir, on writing, is an interesting and helpful book for wannabe and experienced authors both, because he explores both writing and the writing life. 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. In 2010, scribner republished the memoir as a 10th anniversary edition, which also featured. Below are the top thirteen lessons i learned from that book. The buzz about kings book wasnt immediate, but it was persistent.
King has really purposed his memoir, like his background is the reason why writing means so much to him and why he has chosen to focus on the tips he gives. On writing, as its title suggests, is stephen kings book on how to write. It was almost like sitting and listening to king talk. A series of vivid memories from adolescence, college, and the struggling years that led up to his first novel, carrie, will afford readers a fresh. On writing by stephen king is part memoir and part master class. As the title suggests, this is a book written for nervous authors looking for success by a frighteningly successful author.
It is no wonder stephen kings writing advice is so frequently sought after. Stephen kings writing tips how write a better book. On writing by stephen king, 9781444723250, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Its full of details about his process, about how he wrote his books. King shares stories that shaped his writing career while offering practical advice for writers and other creative professionals. In the afterword to his acclaimed guide on writing. Stephen kings top writing tips the writing cooperative. Stephen kings routine is mentioned in the book daily rituals. Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of stephen kings critically lauded, millioncopy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work. Stephen king creates a list of 82 books for aspiring. King writes every day of the year, including his birthday and holidays, and he almost never lets himself quit before he reaches his daily quota of two thousand words.