- On Writing
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On Writing 
First edition coverAuthor(s) Stephen King Cover artist Lisa Litwak Country USA Language English Subject(s) Autobiography, Writing Publisher Scribner Publication date October 3, 2000 Media type Print (Hardcover) Pages 288 ISBN 978-0684853529 Preceded by Nightmares in the Sky Followed by Secret Windows On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is a memoir and writing guide book by Stephen King, published in 2000. It is a book about the prolific author's experiences as a writer. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly listed On Writing 21st on their list of The New Classics: Books - The 100 best reads from 1983 to 2008, making it King's only entry.[1] On July 13, 2010, Scribner published a 10th Anniversary edition of the book (ISBN 978-1-4391-9363-1).
Synopsis
The first section of the book is an autobiography mainly concerning King's early exposure to fiction and his childhood attempts at writing. He describes his early attempts to get published, his success with his first novel Carrie, and his subsequent development as an extremely popular author. King also discusses his problems with drugs and alcohol.
The second section is practical advice on writing, from tips on grammar to ideas about developing plot and character. King describes it as a guide for how "a competent writer can become a good one." He stresses his beliefs that a writer should edit out unnecessary details and avoid the use of unnecessary adverbs.
The third section is also autobiographical, in which he discusses the 1999 automobile accident in which the writer was struck by a vehicle while walking down an isolated country road. King describes serious injuries, his painful recovery and his struggle to start writing again.
King also includes part of a rough draft and an edited draft of his own story entitled "1408".
In the United Kingdom paperback version, a short story by Garret Adams entitled "Jumper" was included at the end of the book, which was the winner of the On Writing competition.
Reception
Pulitzer Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert commented on the book in his review for the movie Secret Window, which was based on a King novella: "A lot of people were outraged that he [King] was honored at the National Book Awards, as if a popular writer could not be taken seriously. But after finding that his book On Writing had more useful and observant things to say about the craft than any book since Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, I have gotten over my own snobbery."[2]
Edward Bryant characterized On Writing as "graceful and lucid, diverting and useful," saying "When King addresses the processes of writing directly, he does so with clarity."[3]
References
- ^ "The New Classics: Books: The 100 best reads from 1983 to 2008" Entertainment Weekly June 17, 2008; Published in issue #999-1000, June 27, 2008
- ^ http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20040312%2FREVIEWS%2F403120306%2F1023&AID1=%2F20040312%2FREVIEWS%2F403120306%2F1023&AID2=
- ^ "Locus Looks at Books: Reviews by Edward Bryant", Locus, December 2000, p.23
Categories:- 2000 books
- Books by Stephen King
- Books about writing
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