On Writing - Stephen King

Billed as a 'masterclass on the art of writing', Stephen King's latest offering - called, appropriately enough "On Writing", promises to "empower anyone who reads it". So, does it live up to the hype? The book starts with a series of anecdotal tales from King's childhood - a time of his life which he admits is rather hazy in his memory. We learn about his first attempts at writing when confined to bed with a childhood illness. He tells of the first money he made from writing ( a quarter from his mother) and, as he progresses through childhood to his teenage years, the ever growing pile of rejection slips he received. ...  Read the complete review

I am Stephen King’s number one fan. That’s all there is to it, whether you like it or not, that’s the way it is. Now, I know that there are some of you out there who do not like him - at this point, I pause to glower meaningfully at certain chocolate addicts who will remain nameless – and I’m afraid all I can offer you is my deepest heartfelt sympathy. Maybe they’ll find a cure one day … until then, here’s my hand for you to squeeze … So anyway, I have to admit to feeling a little ashamed when this book “On Writing” came to my attention via another dooyoo opinion. What, you mean Stephen King has ...  Read the complete review

Before even thinking of reading this book, you have to consider your thoughts on the author, Stephen King, very carefully. Remember, if you can, your school days. Unless you were a full time rebel or a full time student, there will be lessons in which you remember working hard, and those in which you remember throwing paper aeroplanes and giggling with your friends, yes? For me at least (and I suspect you’re the same), the difference in those two types of lessons always boiled down to how much respect I had for the teacher in question. The same applies here. Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ is not an autobiography, it is, as the cover ...  Read the complete review

"On Writing - a memoir of the craft" by Stephen King, is part auto-biography, part instruction manual. Published by the New England Library, the price on the cover states £6.99, however we bought this from a second hand stall so it cost around 50 pence. This is the softback edition and the ISBN number, should you wish to track down a copy for yourself, is: 0-340-76998-X It is remarked on the back cover that the author photograph is taken by one Tabitha King- this is Stephen King's wife, also a writer, and as you read the book, you will learn that she is the centre of his universe. The way he talks about her is ...  Read the complete review

I could waffle on for thousands of words about 'On Writing' and Stephen King but if you haven't got the time or inclination to wade through to the end of this review, just read this bit: if you want to be a writer, READ THIS BOOK. I?m almost tempted to stop there (almost, but not quite!), as I don?t feel any review can do it justice. I have never been a Stephen King fan, as I?m not into horror and thought that was all he wrote. When I came home from the library carrying this book, my husband saw the name of the author and gasped in dismay, wondering how he was going to cope with my nightmares after reading a Stephen King horror (he?s read a few). He ...  Read the complete review