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Index Interviews: Susan Ketchin Phyllis Richman Mothers Who Write: Diane McKinney-Whetstone The Promise of Ebook Publishing E-pubbing Children's Books Upcoming Events Calendar Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
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Reviews of Writing BooksOn Writing by Stephen KingScribner, October 2000.Hardcover, 288 pages. ISBN: 0684853523 Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
Stephen King actaully debated whether it
was "okay" for him to write this book;
he didn't want to seem presumptuous, and
he was afraid it would make him feel
like a literary gasbag. He needn't have
worried. The story of how he became the great
writer he is today (with advice for writers
included) is both interesting and informative.
The book is a combined autobiography (although
he claims it is not because he can't remember
some of the earliest bits of his life with
the greatest of clarity) and writer's
aide. King gives readers
some specifics about his life:
growing up with the pain he experienced
when doctors burst his ear drum to
relieve fluid from an ear infection,
his genius brother's wild experiments, living on
food stamps, falling in love with Tabitha
(now his wife) in college and his early
publishing failures and successes. Yes,
even Stephen King failed, early on. He
began by posting his rejection slips on
a nail on his wall; later, he needed a larger
object so he used a spike. King also openly
discusses how he overcame addictions to
alcohol and cocaine with the help of his
wife. A chapter about his recent
unfortunate accident, when he was walking and
was hit and seriously injured by a van,
is also included.
King explains how important it is for writers to read and write a great deal, and also provides a list of recommended books to read. He suggests that writers have a copy of Strunk and White handy, and tells them how to build a multi-level writer's toolbox, which is full of grammar and vocabulary tools. King also discusses how he unearths his stories, a bit like an archeologist does, and gives details about how he edits his books. Writers would be crazy to ignore Stephen King's advice. And any of Stephen King's Constant Readers will enjoy hearing his telling of the story of his life thus far, and his thoughts on the craft of writing. Highly recommended. Return to Book Reviews Index ** More information on writing-related books can be found in the Writer's Bookstore. |