On Writing, A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King | Teen Ink

On Writing, A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King MAG

July 19, 2011
By paige14 GOLD, Portsmouth, Ohio
paige14 GOLD, Portsmouth, Ohio
17 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
Say what you need to say--John Mayer


I have never read a Stephen King book. I never really even thought of it before reading On Writing, in which the acclaimed horror novelist blends tales of his own childhood with helpful tips for any aspiring author.

Stephen King tells of his youth, not as a continuous tale, but as a series of events and images that shaped who he is and how he writes. Between shutting down power to the entire town with his older brother in an attempt to create a Super Duper Electromagnet, and meeting his future wife, Little Stevie manages to accrue a sizable stack of rejection letters and write his only attempt at satire – a newspaper article calling his high school principal “old cue ball.”

The middle section begins by explaining how writing is really just telepathy. His reasoning actually makes sense. (You'll have to read the book to understand though.) He also explains the tools needed to write well, his own personal methods, and other tidbits from inside the world of a very published author. He not only gives advice, but describes how he applies it to his own life and work. He gives examples of good writing and not-so-good writing.

The book closes with his story of getting hit by a van halfway through writing On Writing. He describes the struggle, both physical and mental, to continue with the craft he loves: writing.

I've never read a horror novel I liked. Well, I haven't really read all that many horror novels, to tell you the truth. But after reading Stephen King's On Writing, I think I will.


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This article has 6 comments.


Caterina01 said...
on Jan. 9 2022 at 8:20 pm
Caterina01, Boulder, Colorado
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
Crochet keeps me from Unraveling :)

So, cool

on Mar. 6 2013 at 6:34 pm
Alex_Durham GOLD, Vineland, New Jersey
14 articles 1 photo 234 comments

Favorite Quote:
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

I loved this book so much! You really did it justice in this review!

on Jan. 14 2012 at 2:32 pm
Eshshah PLATINUM, Galloway, New Jersey
32 articles 31 photos 239 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." -Robert Frost

I've never read one of his novels because I scare so easily :) but it is a great great review- It's written perfectly, and was easy to read, unlike a lot of reviews I think.

on Oct. 10 2011 at 3:33 pm
CarrieAnn13 GOLD, Goodsoil, Other
12 articles 10 photos 1646 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." --Douglas Adams

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." --Marcus Aurelius

This definitely deserves the Editor's Choice Award!  I picked up this book in a bookstore, but I never bought it.  I guess I probably should have!  Anyway, excellent review. :)

on Oct. 2 2011 at 1:02 am
Garnet77 PLATINUM, Sinagpore, Other
31 articles 6 photos 577 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Everything's a triangle." ~ My mother

"Write what you love, write what you care about, because sometimes, it's the easiest way to be heard."

I've actually read half this book--I'm almost done--and you definitely did a very good review on it. I love how you reference the horror novels; it adds your own personality to the review, which I think is very good. Well done with this! :)

julian GOLD said...
on Sep. 30 2011 at 6:17 pm
julian GOLD, Eugene, Oregon
17 articles 17 photos 223 comments

Favorite Quote:
The goal is not about living forever, the goal is about creating something that can.

Wow, I really want to read this book now! This was brilliantly written and insightful. And if you don't take my word for it, then I'm sure the editor's choice award will convince you that this is a really splendid piece of writing. Great job!