A Writer’s Life: Review of Stephen King’s On Writing

Stephen King’s On Writing was recommended to me by several people before I first picked it up.  It was so delightful and readable that I couldn’t put it down.

This book is much more like a conversation with a close mentor than a technical how-to guide.  King describes the craft of writing in the same comfortably familiar language that fills his books (“I hate and mistrust pronouns, every one of them as slippery as a fly-by-night personal-injury lawyer”).

The first part of the book, C.V., is a memoir of Stephen King’s life as a writer, a life that begun much before most people would consider a writer’s life to begin.  Yes, everyone realizes that writers are people too, and that they have been born and had a childhood.  Still, it isn’t often that we see the signs of our true calling as existing as young as 3 years old, which is when On Writing begins. 

Looking back over his life, King does a wonderful job at telling his own story without pretentiousness.  Each anecdote gives the reader a glimpse of where the writer came from, how he came to be a writer who can spend hours a day and devote his life to this craft.

The C.V. section is summed up neatly with a short essay “What Writing Is”.  Short, in this case, is certainly not a bad thing – it is one of the most decisive, insightful definitions I have ever read.

I consider the book to really be a two-part work, and the “Toolbox” section fits into the second part, which comprises about two thirds of the book – the writing part.  King lists a few of his literary pet peeves, along with the elements that he feels each writer should have in his or her own personal “Toolbox”.

This sets the stage for all of the writing advice that follows.  King shows flaws and their corrections by example, and always with the air of a helpful teacher.  He never preaches, never suggests, “Listen, I have all the answers, so fall in line.”  His style remains true, and the tone of the book leans more toward all-lads-together – here’s what I know, you bring what you know, and together we’ll find the way.

 For me, it was a delightful reading experience.  I couldn’t help but feel the whole way through as though I was being spoken to directly, and by someone who truly cared what I would take away from the experience, and where I would go from here.  To create such a connection with the reader is truly the sign of a gifted, talented writer.

Is this book for everyone?  Of course not, I dare you to find one that is.  Some people prefer technical texts, others need instructive exercises.  However, I truly believe that this book is for many people.  Even those with no real desire to write, but with an appreciation for Stephen King, would most likely enjoy this.