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05-26-2001, 06:19 PM
|  | Hello, I'm Deb | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Oregon
Posts: 7,222
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I picked up On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King last night so I'd have something to read while waiting for a table at The Olive Garden. OMG. This is good stuff for anyone who wants to know what the craft of writing is all about. And, what it isn't about. Has anyone else read this book?
Deb
who is greatly amused at King's description of how writing seminars are often useless (beginning on page 231 of the paperback edition)
__________________ Support our Marines "If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." - Carl Shurz, German general and politician |
05-26-2001, 07:39 PM
|  | Gravitas! | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: New Orleans, La. U.S.A.
Posts: 666
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this is a great book. I hesitated to read it, because I don't read any of his fiction, but I'm glad I relented. And, even if you don't want to write, just reading about his life is fascinating. |
05-26-2001, 09:09 PM
|  | I contain multitudes. | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
Posts: 221
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love, love, Love, LOVE that book! Of course, it doesn't hurt that I secretly fantasize about the man. But seriously, I think it is important to remember that billionaire "pulp" author King is an English teacher with a strong belief in the language - rules and all. Any writer could benefit, if you can handle his style of dancing merrily around the point for a while, taking interesting dips and turns about cocaine and pregnancy and 'real' jobs....
Love that book. Did I mention that? I love the man too - enough so that I wouldn't even want to steal him away from his wife... and that's what true love is all about, isn't it? 
K
__________________ How much can you know about yourself if you've never been in a fight? "The easy confidence with which I know another man's religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also."
-Mark Twain  |
05-28-2001, 12:39 AM
|  | Rockin', Rollin', Ritin' | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,839
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I am embarrassed to say that I purchased it and haven't gotten around to reading it yet. 
I have recently read "On Writing: A Book of Aid and Comfort" by Janet and Isaac Asimov, and it is enchanting. I got glimpses of the great love they shared along with valuable writing tips from one of the most prolific and diverse authors of our time.
My favorite line of Isaac's is where he writes about going off to a cocktail party and daydreaming about when he can get back home to his typewriter to happily write again "until the next interruption."
If we all had that joyous work ethic, how many books would we each have completed? |
05-29-2001, 06:22 PM
|  | Book Slut | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Claremont, CA
Posts: 78
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I really enjoyed "On Writing." I got a little irked when he sidetracked and talked about the guy who hit him, but other than that, it was a fascinating book.
I'd recommend you balance out "On Writing" with "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.
That way, you have inspiration and reality together. |
05-29-2001, 06:36 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: in the palm of your hand
Posts: 12,707
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The bits about that guy that hit him were kind of eerie in that they were written when the guy was still alive but by the time that King’s book was published, the guy had died.
To me, On Writing had some useful and inspiring parts (the scene where he got the huge advance on his first novel was really touching) but I thought that the book was only half about writing and half an autobiography. Maybe it should have been done as two books instead of one? Yet another book that I’ve read but never got around to reviewing...
And yes, Bird by Bird was wonderful. |
05-30-2001, 03:01 PM
| | Hello, I'm Deb | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Oregon
Posts: 7,222
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One of the things I really enjoyed about On Writing was the inclusion of King's life experiences. It's always very interesting to me to hear how writers develop their style and presence on the page.
Thanks for the tip, BTW. I located a copy of Bird by Bird at Powell's and will pick it up when I'm in Portland on Sunday. I can't wait. I'll look for the Asimov book at the same time.
Deb
__________________ Support our Marines "If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." - Carl Shurz, German general and politician | |
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