On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Great little volume wherein a master craftsman explains why and how he writes.

We begin with a “CV”: a series of vignettes from the writer's life. Snippets of memory, anecdotes and seemingly random reminiscences that offer a fascinating insight into what made Stephen King Stephen King. Plus a great deal of huffing and puffing about why writing about writing is a pain in the ass, and that just because he can do it well doesn't necessarily mean he can or wants to explain to others how to do it.

Then he goes on to do exactly that, simply and carefully, but thoroughly.

First up, the “Toolbox”: a brief primer on grammar, vocabulary and style. Then to the meat of the matter, “On Writing” itself. How you put your toolbox to use and craft a story that people want to read. Suffice it to say, he makes it sound very simple.

One thing that stood out, and amused me a little, was his discussion of plotting. He proudly expounds on how his stories evolve organically according to wherever the characters take him. To me, this is the only wishy washy part of the whole book, and since I HATE his endings (despite, or because of, loving 99.9% of the rest of his lengthy novels) it explained quite a lot.

Finally he ends with a short and brutal story of near death and horrific recovery - except this isn't a fiction, it's his real life. During the writing of this book he was run down while out for his daily constitutional, and this chapter reveals how writing brought him back to life.

Finishing with a neat example of how to edit a first draft, as well as a reading list that would take you a lifetime to get through, it's a perfect, neat and brilliant summary of a writer's life and motivations.

Inspiring.