Stephen King writes every day, even Christmas and his birthday, and thinks you have no business writing if you aren’t reading deep and wide.
He will let you loosen up when it comes to backstory and research, nudge you to edit ruthlessly by simply “taking out the boring parts,” and gives no way around our basic job as writers - keeping the lights on so the magic maker can smoke as many cigars as he wants. Sometimes the magic comes, but mainly he smokes.
Few people have churned out the quantity of work that King has and also taken time to turn around and explain their process.
Is it ironic that someone who insists so much on truth-telling writes sci fi and horror? But there it is, imbued in all his stuff: dramatic tension so close to the bone you have to keep turning the page, characters that are never all the way good or bad, and believability.
The fruit of his craft is obsession.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story,” he said. “When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.”Highlighted by 14,675 Kindle readers- If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.Highlighted by 9,777 Kindle readers
- It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around.Highlighted by 8,707 Kindle readers
- “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story,” he said. “When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.”Highlighted by 8,501 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
A must-read if you wish to become a writer
This is probably my favorite book of 2023.Imagine all the questions you ever had about what is means to be a writer and how to do it. How do you write a novel? What system or method should you follow? What skills do I need to write a good book? All these questions are answered in this book, in a straight forward, no bullshit-way. I loved it.If, on the other hand, you're merely interested in the art of writing or wish to learn more about Stephen King himself, this is also your book. And do not worry, this book reads wonderfully and is extremely well paced.Overall, great book. It will likely get you excited to start writing yourself.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
Imagine all the questions you ever had about what is means to be a writer and how to do it. How do you write a novel? What system or method should you follow? What skills do I need to write a good book? All these questions are answered in this book, in a straight forward, no bullshit-way. I loved it.
If, on the other hand, you're merely interested in the art of writing or wish to learn more about Stephen King himself, this is also your book. And do not worry, this book reads wonderfully and is extremely well paced.
Overall, great book. It will likely get you excited to start writing yourself.
A must-read if you wish to become a writer
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
This is probably my favorite book of 2023.Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
Imagine all the questions you ever had about what is means to be a writer and how to do it. How do you write a novel? What system or method should you follow? What skills do I need to write a good book? All these questions are answered in this book, in a straight forward, no bullshit-way. I loved it.
If, on the other hand, you're merely interested in the art of writing or wish to learn more about Stephen King himself, this is also your book. And do not worry, this book reads wonderfully and is extremely well paced.
Overall, great book. It will likely get you excited to start writing yourself.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2007
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2023
Top reviews from other countries
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On Writing: A Masterpiece Blending Craft, Humor, and Heart
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2023
