On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is a memoir by American author Stephen King that describes his experiences as a writer and his advice for aspiring writers. Originally published in 2000 by Charles Scribner's Sons, it was King's first book after he was involved in a car accident a year earlier. Scribner has published two expanded editions: The 10th Anniversary Edition (2010) has an updated reading list from King; and the 20th Anniversary Edition (2020) adds contributions from King's two sons, Joe Hill and Owen.
The book is organized into five sections: "C.V.", where King highlights events in his life that influenced his writing; "What Writing Is", where King urges the reader to take writing seriously; "Toolbox", discussing English mechanics; "On Writing", where King details his advice to aspiring writers; and "On Living: A Postscript", where he describes his roadside accident and how it affected his life.
In 2008, …
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is a memoir by American author Stephen King that describes his experiences as a writer and his advice for aspiring writers. Originally published in 2000 by Charles Scribner's Sons, it was King's first book after he was involved in a car accident a year earlier. Scribner has published two expanded editions: The 10th Anniversary Edition (2010) has an updated reading list from King; and the 20th Anniversary Edition (2020) adds contributions from King's two sons, Joe Hill and Owen.
The book is organized into five sections: "C.V.", where King highlights events in his life that influenced his writing; "What Writing Is", where King urges the reader to take writing seriously; "Toolbox", discussing English mechanics; "On Writing", where King details his advice to aspiring writers; and "On Living: A Postscript", where he describes his roadside accident and how it affected his life.
In 2008, Entertainment Weekly included On Writing on their "The New Classics: Books – The 100 best reads from 1983 to 2008" list. In their reviews, Sharon Johnson of The Patriot-News and Julie Woo of Associated Press praised King's advice as "solid". John Mark Eberhart of the Sunday Free Lance-Star called King's writing advice "pedestrian", but ultimately concluded that On Writing was "a slight but transitionally important work that should lead [King] to better things."
It's probably the closest we'll get to a proper memoir out of a very interesting & likeable guy, who's utterly unique in the publishing world.
Regardless of whether you are a fan of his actual output or not, you can't question his consistency, and as far as his style and approach to writing, he keeps it simple and straightforward, which for a beginning writer is really useful. And like all Stephen King works, it's an easy read that keeps moving.
Review of 'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft' on 'LibraryThing'
4 stars
Un essai très agréable à lire autour de l'écriture.returnDans le premier tiers de l'ouvrage Stephen King revient sur les événements qui depuis son enfance ont marqué sa vie et construit sa personnalité d'écrivain.returnIl explore ensuite brièvement la boîte à outils du romancier (poussant l'analogie jusqu'à expliquer l'importance de chaque compartiment de la boîte à outils) avec le vocabulaire, la grammaire et le style.returnSuivent des considérations sur les personnages, les descriptions et les dialogues, puis une analyse plus en profondeur de son art d'écrire.returnAinsi, il ne débute pas un roman avec une intrigue définie en tête : l'évolution des personnages et des situations suffit à la faire apparaître naturellement. Il met un point d'honneur à réduire de 10% la longueur de son texte entre la première et la seconde version ; celle-ci est soumise à plusieurs relecteurs, dont sa femme qui reste sa lectrice idéale. Pragmatiquement, il nous partage aussi ses …
Un essai très agréable à lire autour de l'écriture.returnDans le premier tiers de l'ouvrage Stephen King revient sur les événements qui depuis son enfance ont marqué sa vie et construit sa personnalité d'écrivain.returnIl explore ensuite brièvement la boîte à outils du romancier (poussant l'analogie jusqu'à expliquer l'importance de chaque compartiment de la boîte à outils) avec le vocabulaire, la grammaire et le style.returnSuivent des considérations sur les personnages, les descriptions et les dialogues, puis une analyse plus en profondeur de son art d'écrire.returnAinsi, il ne débute pas un roman avec une intrigue définie en tête : l'évolution des personnages et des situations suffit à la faire apparaître naturellement. Il met un point d'honneur à réduire de 10% la longueur de son texte entre la première et la seconde version ; celle-ci est soumise à plusieurs relecteurs, dont sa femme qui reste sa lectrice idéale. Pragmatiquement, il nous partage aussi ses routines de travail, son organisation du temps et l'agencement de son bureau.returnreturnIl clôt son mémoire avec le récit de l'accident qui faillit lui coûter la vie, et comment l'écriture lui a permis de retrouver le fil de l'existence.returnreturnUn texte inspirant et touchant, par un amoureux de l'écriture.
