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    On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
    On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
    On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
    Audiobook9 hours

    On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft

    Written by Stephen King

    Narrated by Stephen King, Joe Hill and Owen King

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Twentieth Anniversary Edition with Contributions from Joe Hill and Owen King

    ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S TOP 100 NONFICTION BOOKS OF ALL TIME

    Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King’s critically lauded, million-copy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work.

    “Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it—fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.

    The twentieth-anniversary audio edition includes Owen King reading his essay, “Recording Audiobooks for My Dad, Stephen King,” and a recorded conversation with Joe Hill and Stephen King.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateOct 1, 2000
    ISBN9780743563376
    Author

    Stephen King

    Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, Doctor Sleep, and Firestarter are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. 

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    Reviews for On Writing

    4.5/5

    5,453 ratings328 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I've only read King's Everything's Eventual because I found the few novels I started to be too verbose; they didn't grab my attention in time so I cast them aside. I thought this book would be the same way. The beginning is a little slow going, starting with blips of his childhood that don't really provide an emotional connection. (I did like that the scenes of getting his eardrums punctured reminded me of Roald Dahl's "surgeries" in Boy). Once he got into his experiences with writing, however, I was more interested. I still found the writing to be a little clunky, ironically, and it was hard to relate to some parts that seemed to deal solely with science fiction. It was a good read though, and there were some good tips, some good lines. My favorites:
      - " Description begins in the writer's imagination, but should finish in the reader's. When it comes to actually pulling this off, the writer is much more fortunate than the filmmaker, who is almost always doomed to show too much."
      - "Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up."

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Whether you're a fan of Stephen King's work or not this is definitely a book you need to read if you are a writer of any sort. It's inspirational, it's practical and it really helps put the new writers mind at ease. This book gives you confidence to learn and to grow as a writer and as an author and I'm so thankful that he wrote it's been shared his experiences and what he has learned along the way.
    • 5/5
      Truthful, honest and brilliant. Makes you believe that it’s possible. Also inspiring and funny. Thank you SK
    • 5/5
      If you only ever read one book on writing, it should be On Writing. This book changed my life. Go out and buy it. Now!
    • 5/5
      Stephen King reading his book makes this so much more personal. I loved the stories behind the books he has written and an inside look at his personal life. The advice he gives on writing could have been done in one chapter but appears to be very sound and true. Even if you’re not interested in writing it makes for a great story.
    • 1/5
      If you want a memoir from King, then this is for you. If you don't care about his other works (or are avoiding them), then it isn't. The writing advice has been said many times over, this time it's just in King's style. Although usually pitched to me as an excellent writer's reference, over half of the book is strictly autobiographical.
    • 5/5
      Great work, I enjoyed way more that I thought I would
    • 5/5
      This was a masterclass. Any aspiring fiction write must make it a priority to read this one. It is a great motivator and got me to start waking up at 3am to work on my novel before work. Get inspired!
    • 5/5
      Anything by Stephen King is so great. To listen to him narrate his writing process... perfect!
    • 1/5
      His voice is painful to listen to. And he starts with a lame story that felt like ages. Not sure how I'm gonna get through over 9 hours. Yikes. He's still telling awful stories about himself. Oh man. His acting is terrible too. Jeez these stories. Nightmare.
    • 5/5
      Learn writing from one of the best writers alive. Raw and honest!
    • 5/5
      Really enjoyed this!!! Kings insight and sharing a part of his intimate life details was genuine and I have a new appreciation for his work!
    • 5/5
      This book is terrific and filled with smart and unpretentious tips on how to be a better writer. It not only started me on the path to being that — now to the point where I’ve now been paid for my work — but more importantly, King’s searing and humorous account of his alcoholism put me on the path to getting sober myself. Six months after reading this book in late 2000, I walked into my first recovery meeting. I’ve been sober ever since, partly because of him. Though we’ve never met, I count Steve K. as my first sponsor. Life first, art second!
    • 5/5
      Stephen King has a mind of minds and this was thoroughly entertaining as it was informative. The bonus conversation with Joe Hill at the end was a wonderful surprise.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant and illuminating insights from a master of the craft
    • 5/5
      Good book. Stop whoring your kids. They have their own legs. If they were actually good they wouldn't need you.
    • 5/5
      This was the first Stephen King book I indulged in since reading Pet Sematary in high school - that book infiltrated my dreams some nights and my near-dreams others. I lost many hours of sleep and decided the genre was not for me. On Writing was just the invitation I needed to try another book by Stephen King - books on writing by writers is a genre I enjoy thoroughly. Of the writing books I've read and listened to, On Writing uniquely moved me to feel a personal affinity for the author. A much appreciated outcome for me - I've subsequently enjoyed several of his short stories and have added a few more works to my "to read" and "to listen to" lists.
    • 5/5
      On Writing is not just for the aspiring writer—but for anyone who loves books and reading. This book will help the aspiring writer spot key issues in his/her work and how to address them. For the reader, it will make you appreciate the craft and the work (good) writers go through from beginning to end. Not only that, but this book will also help you spot those stories that aren't quite up-to-par (lazy writing, repetitiveness, lack of character development, useless words, etc...). This is not a step-by-step guide for aspiring writers (King makes this clear), but what works for Stephen King himself. What I really liked about this book is that King not only discusses writing, but also key points of his life—which I found very interesting. He discusses his childhood and the beginning points of his writing, meeting his wife, the struggles of being an aspiring writer, selling his first novel (Carrie), drug abuse, and being hit by a van in 1999. I found myself not wanting to put this book down until I was done (although I eventually had to due to lack of sleep). I practically hung on every word. I can pretty much guarantee I will never be able to attend a King seminar, or be able to interview him in person, so this book was the next best thing. It's written in a way that makes you feel as if you are listening to him speak right in front of you. On Writing is amazing stuff!
    • 5/5
      I'm a huge fan of Stephen King and have dabbled in creative writing in the past, so I found this book particularly fascinating. I love the stories about how he first started writing, and the advice for writers is genuinely useful and easy to understand - it's always worth listening to someone who has sold a gazillion (probably) books since the 1970s! I would recommend this book to anyone who is similarly a King fan and would like some tips on how to improve your writing.
    • 3/5
      I actually struggled to get through this book. I was hoping for something to motivate me to get back into my writing and while it did do that in a sense, actually getting through this book before it was due back to the library was a hassle. I guess because it didn't really keep me hooked. Interested, but not terribly so. Probably just a mood I'm in on top of the exhaustion going on right now. There's good information in here, some things you've heard before and other that you might not have heard before. I learned more about publishing and agents then I knew. Recommended if you are a beginner writer hoping to publish something someday.
    • 5/5
      Thank you Mr. King for one of the main tools in my toolbox, i.e. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would. I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a book about writing. It's not gospel, but it offers a lot of quality information. I'm sure plenty of it feel repeated (active not passive voice, to be a writer you must read). Take from it what works for you.

      It certainly contains a lot of autobiography along the way, the first section (C.V.) is entirely a memoir. But I liked that aspect, as someone who enjoys reading about other's stories. Even in the more writing oriented sections, there is still a trail of his memoir, but I think it stops it from feeling dry. If you want a straight writing guide, read 'The Elements of Style'.

      It's broken into 4 main parts: C.V., Toolbox, On Writing, and On Living. This is followed by an example of editing a first draft, and some recommended reading from Stephen King. Overall, it's a pretty easy read and certainly provides some solid advice for the early (or hobby) writer. He explains everything he covers in plain English.

      TL;DR: I learned from it and enjoyed it.
    • 3/5
      I liked this more than I expected to. I respect King more as a thoughtful writer after having read this book.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed reading Stephen King's book about writing. I've observed several times that I know snobby people who won't touch his stuff: I kind of want to shove this book in their face and tell them that this, this book by this crappy bestselling author? This contains the Ten Commandments of writing. Stuff like kill your darlings (no, really, do) and don't say sugar when you mean shit, and write every day, write all the time. It even suggests a way of getting out of writer's block.

      (By snobby people, by the by, I don't mean people who have tried Stephen King and don't like it. That's fair enough, and, I think, as justifiable as my dislike of the Harry Potter books. I'm talking about people who refuse to ever read them, not because they don't like scary books or because they just can't get on with his writing, but just "on principle".)

      Two things I really, especially loved about this, though.

      1) He is up front and frank about this being just his experience. The book's a conversation with you about writing, and you've got room to disagree. He's just putting his thoughts on the table and saying, hey, if they'll help, I'm really glad.

      2) The idea of the Ideal Reader, his being his wife. It reminds me of stuff other writers have suggested (write a book to your favourite author, make your stories love letters to someone, etc) and King writes about it with feeling and also understanding. He doesn't pretend that Ideal Reader won't ever laugh in your face.

      So, I think this is definitely a book writers should read. If only to see if they can get their heads out of their asses and listen to all kinds of experience: if they can't, then they've got no business trying to write. It's got good advice, in his opinion and mine, and something obviously works because, hey, bestselling author.

      I also think that maybe you should give this to your Ideal Reader to read. Tabitha King sounds like exactly the kind of first reader an author needs.
    • 5/5
      I was hesitant to read this book, as I don't really like Stephen King's type of writing, not into horror. After reading other people's reviews, I checked it out from the library and read it, then I bought my own copy and read it again. He really tells what the writing life is like, good and bad, rejections and acceptance. It helped me greatly. I think I need to read it again.
    • 4/5
      Part memior, part common sense writers guide I found Stephen King's On Writing to great read if you have any interest in writing. On top of everything else, the length is just right.
    • 5/5
      WARNING: Constant Reader ahead!!! ‘Constant Readers’ is the title King knighted his fans with. For me, it’s an apt description, as King’s books and short stories and essays have filled my life for the better part of three decades. When he published [On Writing] ,shortly after being run down by a reckless driver, it was the first indication that King was not retiring or fatally broken or permanently blocked. Hundreds of thousands of relieved gasps could be heard around the world, mine among them. I went directly to the book store and purchased a new, hardbound copy, ignoring my typical rule about finding one used or on remainder table. I have now read the book twice.Whether you like King’s fiction or not, [On Writing] is a wonderful book. Did you really expect me to say anything else? Okay, let me try to defend my opinion. King starts out by recounting childhood memories and events, many of which will evoke a sense of déjà vu in any Constant Reader, as he’s used many of these memories to fuel his fiction. While King insists there’s no common thread running through the stories, it’s clear that the events, good, bad, and in-between, all conspired to make him the writer and the man he is today. The stories are hilarious and sad and bittersweet. From the night young Stephen and his brother darkened a full city block to the two sad, picked-on girls who inspired [Carrie] to the tireless, brutal, blue collar ethic of his mother, desperate to make their meager funds last through another payday, to King’s alcohol and cocaine addled mid-life, you’ll be hooked.Then, King turns his eye towards the writer’s toolbox, focusing on vocabulary and grammar, relentlessly championing Strunk and White. There are a few rants, one in particular saved for adverbs and another for passive voice. Like every other author I’ve heard or read, he recommends reading everything you can get your hands on. King hammers on the simple, the basic, the spare style. If you can get by with one or two details about a character, why use seventeen. If you can get by with the first word called to mind, why thumb the Thesaurus for some substitute. After gearing up the tool-box, favoring the simple and basic forms of all of those tools, King begins to explain what writing is. For King, it is the unadulterated story, translated to the page, allowed to go where it will without any planning. Just a “What if….” carried to a conclusion. In summarizing, King returns to his own life, describing his excruciating recovery after being run over. He didn’t lose the ability or the will to write but he did suffer a healthy round of self-doubt. Coaxed on by a loving wife, King finished this book and several others, many of which have been compared to his earlier, more fundamental books. The message rings clear, writing is who King is; it lingers in every nook and cranny of his life. It’s changed and helped define his life. And he believes that writing is more than just a profession or an art; it is a tool for life, one which can help you work things out, discover and process the world around you and your place in it. Bottom Line: A great memoir, a helpful writing aid, and a thoughtful rumination on the intersection of life and writing.
    • 5/5
      The last part with Joe hill it’s hilarious, totally worth it. Stephen it’s the master , do yourself a favor and get into the mindset of this GOAT.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful way to improve writing. An excellent bunch of lessons taught the Stephen King’s style.
    • 2/5
      I had to read this for school, and, well.. It wasn't the best. I loved his tone and the autobiolgraphy part, but the rest I could have done without. ^^''