On Writing

                                    Priscilla Ann Ing
                                    Summer 2006
                                    Book Review #1

King, Stephen,  ON WRITING. A Memoir of the Craft.  New York:  Pocket Books,   2000

In this book, half autobiography and half guide to would be writers, King shares his life of writing in easily understood language spiced with expletives of today’s conversations.

The autobiography section is not only interesting but gives the reader an understanding of the inborn creativity now exhibited in King’s writing.  Even as a young child, his mind wondered while listening to stories, with questions of “what if this had happened instead”, or “what if this character were introduced”.   As an elementary student, King and his brother published their own newspaper, mostly meant for family members, but also seen by the neighborhood.  Collecting publishing equipment of the 50’s and refurbishing it was his brother’s strong suit while Stephen’s was as a writer.  It is in this section, too, that the reader is introduced to his future wife and her part in his early career as an English teacher and struggling writer.  Knowing the history of his long marriage, helps us see the importance of his wife as the “first reader” of his stories.

King’s philosophy regarding the arts and specifically writing could be summed up with his statement, “Life isn’t a support-system for art.  It’s the other way around.”  I think it would be safe to say that without his ability to communicate through the art form of writing, King would not be happy or sane.  King considers the art of writing a form of telepathy and expresses its importance in his life of connecting with so many people, from family to the millions of his faithful readers.

The last half of this book, is dedicated to the skill of writing and would be of interest to anyone hoping to communicate through the use of the written word.  King, in the mode of writing instructor, emphasizes the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and the elements of style.  Talent is a part of every successful writer, but anyone can improve their writing to the next level with hard work.  He emphasis the part reading has played and still plays in his life.  A list of books that “worked” for him is shared at the end.  Whether one agrees with King’s book choices or not, his point is that good writers are voracious readers and are continuously learning.  Also, good writers become so because they write - a lot.  This is where King emphasis the importance of the person you select as the first reader.  Here he shares the important of this role, filled by his wife.  Giving the would-be-author information on how to contact/present manuscripts to publishers is also shared.

I found this book to be both entertaining and informational, and highly recommend it to persons ranging from fans of King’s work (too freaky a genre for me to enjoy) to those who are fascinated with the art of writing.