Rants & Observations

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

I found a copy of this book at our local library book sale last year. Picked it up for $2 and feel like I got way more than my money's worth even when you add the 35 cents or so cost of the plastic dust cover protector I put on it. Around Christmas, Lori Allen was talking about reading it in her e-newsletter The Right Way to Travel and I picked up my copy and began reading. Glad I did.
This book tells a lot about what made Stephen King write. It tells a lot about how he writes. It tells a lot about why he writes.
I enjoyed every minute of the reading of it. It reminded me somewhat of Bradbury's Zen of Writing. If you want to read two books about writing then these two are what you should read. Read them and everything you can get your hands on in the style and topic you want to write. And of course, write. Writers write. I had a screen writing professor at San Diego State University tell me that once. King's advice in this book stands up too. Avoid adjectives. Especially in dialog.
Of course, I think the very best advice he gives is that Life isn't a support-system for art but rather the other way around. My clients are calling so I have to get back to work. You go find a copy of this book and read it. You won't regret the time spent.

posted by Paul @ 2:05 PM