Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Book Review On Writing by Stephen King





One line review:
If you read, write or breathe, go read this book.
Why did I read this book:
So Nathan Bradford asked his readers what the best book about writing was, in their opinion. I said Bird by Bird, but most people were saying On Writing. So I figured I'd go check it out.
I'm going to Boston in a few days and I was in a weird void time, not enough time to start revising No System At All, so I opted on doing a book binge, where I spend any free time I have reading.
I wanted to get my head in the right place for No System At All, I wanted to brush up on the basics. So I while I was in the library finishing Penny and Hank, I checked out On Writing.

The book:
The first 100 pages is Stephen Kings writer's history. A narration of his life and how he became a writer. Interesting and funny read, almost every page I thought, damn that was clever.
After he told about his writer's journey, he spends the next 200 pages giving away little gems about writing.
To recap the best:
No adverbs- your reader is smarter then you think they are. Adverbs=lazy writing
use Said, not said quickly, or mocked or coughed or whatever. Said is the right word to use.
Read a lot, write a lot and the only way to get good at description is to read.

By page 125 I knew I needed to own it. I got a copy at Borders and started to dog ear the pages and high light the crap out of it.

Downside:
The last 50 pages is about when he was hit by the car and revising. I was reading it for writing tips, so I skipped it. I know, bad reader bad.

Rating: 10 out of 10.

9 comments:

  1. I've had this book for years and I still haven't read it. It's on my list of craft books to read this summer.

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  2. I started to read this in a bookstore and felt hit over the head with Stephen King... Maybe I should revisit it!

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  3. I thought about getting this book too after everyone recommended it on NB's blog. Thing is, I don't exactly, um, care about Stephen King's life. I just want the tips. So, is it worth buying it just for that section in your opinion?

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  4. Holly, yes it's worth it for the tips. Get the paper back edition for $7.99.

    What is cool about the stuff about Stephen King is he goes back and explains what he was thinking about when he was writing certain books. I'll admit, I don't read a lot of Stephen King. Mostly I've read a few of his story stories. But his advice was sound and made me excited to write agian.

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  5. I bought it a week ago because I've been reading so many great reviews. It's on my ever growing list :)

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  6. This is most definitely an amazing book!

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  7. I read this book so long ago. I think I need to re-read it. :)

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  8. I put this on my list thanks to your recommendation. It sounds great.

    Also wanted to say THANKS a MILLION for the mom award. I LOVE IT! My online circle is so small, I don't know any other moms who write than the ones you listed (for shame!). I will save it and pass it on when my circle grows!!!

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