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dianareadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
i wont ever read stephen king. he is by far to scary for me. I even had nightmares when he talked about his books when reading this one.
Fantastic book. I loved the lists he gives of books he has read (as i am nosy and love to know what other people read).
I can't write for anything. I am far far to lazy to use proper grammar and punctuation, but I believe if you read this book you will think you can write a book too.
Fantastic book. I loved the lists he gives of books he has read (as i am nosy and love to know what other people read).
I can't write for anything. I am far far to lazy to use proper grammar and punctuation, but I believe if you read this book you will think you can write a book too.
marwamg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
elizabethmichelle's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. I was reminded while I read it of my 16th birthday (November 2000), when my parents took me to Barnes & Noble to pick something out and I had trouble deciding between this book and a new journal. I chose the journal. It is sitting beside me now, filled with treasures and memories. It was the start of a habit of daily writing that continued for a very long time.
He loves his wife very much and that has got to be one of my favorite parts of the book. Learning about his process, our shared hatred of the adverb, and everything else that makes him the writer he is was a joy to read.
He loves his wife very much and that has got to be one of my favorite parts of the book. Learning about his process, our shared hatred of the adverb, and everything else that makes him the writer he is was a joy to read.
bantwalkers's review against another edition
5.0
I sometimes flirt with wanting to be a writer. But I'm not committed enough. Not committed enough to write and not committed enough to read great things like this. But GOLLY was this inspiring. There are so many little bits and pieces that I wanted to write down and advices I wanted to follow. Let's be fair though ... I probably won't.
alexconfoo's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A no nonsense approach to writing and storytelling. As King asserts throughout, there is no 'magic formula' -- the only dictum that comes close is 'read a lot and write a lot'. This angle is wholly refreshing, a satisfying stepback from the traditional 'structure & literary theory is everything' approach. Throughout the entire book, thematically in the 'CV' section, and at the fore in the 'On Writing' section, King constantly defines how one improves at writing -- just keep doing it.
The aspect that resonated the most was King's description of stories as 'fossils' just waiting to be unearthed. How large that fossil is, how intricate, how intact, and ultimately, how interersting it is, is determined by the craft and care of the author who reveals it. Stories, he says, are not supposed to be fixed and rigid, but flexible, instinctual. The best thing to do while writing is trust your instincts. Sure, throughout life story structures may have permeated into your subconscious, but it's trusting that subconscious to make the right decisions at the correct times that crafts the grander, rawer, more engaging story.
The more you practise writing, the better your subconscious 'toolbox' will improve in its decision-making, and hence the greater you will become at your craft.
Probably the best book about the writing craft out there, because it's not about writing, it's about art, culture, society, sociology, and inherent human nature, all wrapped into the simple, no nonsense, highly engaging prose of Stephen King.
The aspect that resonated the most was King's description of stories as 'fossils' just waiting to be unearthed. How large that fossil is, how intricate, how intact, and ultimately, how interersting it is, is determined by the craft and care of the author who reveals it. Stories, he says, are not supposed to be fixed and rigid, but flexible, instinctual. The best thing to do while writing is trust your instincts. Sure, throughout life story structures may have permeated into your subconscious, but it's trusting that subconscious to make the right decisions at the correct times that crafts the grander, rawer, more engaging story.
The more you practise writing, the better your subconscious 'toolbox' will improve in its decision-making, and hence the greater you will become at your craft.
Probably the best book about the writing craft out there, because it's not about writing, it's about art, culture, society, sociology, and inherent human nature, all wrapped into the simple, no nonsense, highly engaging prose of Stephen King.
its_jess24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0