Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Books / On Writing, By: Stephen King

On Writing, By: Stephen King

On Writing, By: Stephen King

On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
By: Stephen King
Scribner; Anniversary edition (July 6, 2010)
288 pages

On Writing is widely considered one of the best books out there on the art, of writing. If you are interested in writing, it will not disappoint. I would have to consider On Writing, along with Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird, two of my favorite. King expertly weaves writing advice with autobiography in a clear and concise way. The backstory is always fascinating to me. I especially enjoyed the scene where King – while living in a $90 per month apartment – found out the paperback rights to his first bestseller, Carrie, sold for $400,000.

Two of my favorite quotes:

I am approaching the heart of this book with two theses, both simple. The first is that good writing consists of mastering the fundamentals (vocabulary, grammar, the elements of style) and then filling the third level of your toolbox with the right instruments. The second is that while it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.

My wife made a crucial difference during those two years I spent teaching at Hampden (and washing sheets at New Franklin Laundry during the summer vacation). If she had suggested that the time I spent writing stories on the front porch of our rented house on Pond Street or in the laundry room of our rented trailer on Klatt Road in Hermon was wasted time, I think a lot of the heart would have gone out of me. Tabby never voiced a single doubt, however. Her support was a constant, one of the few good things I could take as a given. And whenever I see a first novel dedicated to a wife (or a husband), I smile and think, There’s someone who knows. Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough.

Buy this book.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: BooksTagged With: #Books, #MyReadingLife2018

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Notifications of all new posts by email.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • 31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
    31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
  • Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
    Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
  • How To Care For A Sad Person
    How To Care For A Sad Person
  • Another Great Riddle For You To Try
    Another Great Riddle For You To Try
  • Our Mercenary Heart
    Our Mercenary Heart
  • Instabooks 217
    Instabooks 217
  • Cotton Prices: How to Predict Them
    Cotton Prices: How to Predict Them
  • Resistance Is Futile Meaning?
    Resistance Is Futile Meaning?
  • Conspiracy, By: Ryan Holiday
    Conspiracy, By: Ryan Holiday

Supporting = Loving

Buy Me a Coffee

Recent Posts

  • Better Than Being A Droid
  • On Identifying Actual Journalists
  • Random Thoughts – 392
  • Running Out Of Time
  • The High-Priced, Low-Volume Strategy

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in