Comments on: Review: On Writing

By: James Morgan

James Morgan — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:35:00 +0000

I love this book. Yet so few people, especially writers (and aspiring writers) seem to know about it.

Raymond: I think the cover of the book may be his home, his writing place. Or at least that’s what they want you to think.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:40:24 +0000

Another great book ostensibly about writing but actually more about the larger challenges of self discipline and fulfilling your dreams, is “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield (author of The Legend of Bagger Vance and several other works of fiction). This little gem is 165 pages; some chapters are only a couple of sentences. But it is a really interesting view of what it takes to overcome “resistance” and sit down and write, or start your business, etc. Highly recommended.

By: vh

vh — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:08:07 +0000

Great precis! Anyone who wants to be a Writer with a capital “W” (at least for the print media) should also read King’s book, _None but a Fool_. It’s hilarious…or would be, if weren’t so right on.

Having taught writing to adults for many years, I can say that people who decide in their 20s, 30s, and beyond that they want to improve their writing often develop skills they never imagined they would have. It’s a matter of figuring out how and then, like learning to play the piano, practice practice practice.

An important point that Trent summarizes is that READING is a crucial part of writing! This seems to be lost on many who want to write.

My own book on this subject is still used in many college classrooms. One day I ran into a journalism professor who requires it for her feature-writing classes. She suggested I dumb it down (it ain’t exactly nuclear physics as it is, folks!), because, she said, students complained that it contained “too much reading.” And in my own classes, I’ve met people who say they want to be professional writers and then, literally in the next breath, continue that they don’t read much because they don’t enjoy reading.

If you don’t like to read, you shouldn’t be trying to write. LOL! Why would you want to inflict more written words on the rest of the world unless you think writing is worth the time & effort to read it?

By: Norman MIller

Norman MIller — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:08:38 +0000

Reading popular writers “On Writing” books is a good idea for anyone interested in writing.

Ernest Hemingway, Norman Mailer, Ayn Rand, the variety of authors who have written an “On Writing” book is broad.

I really like King’s story of finding out about the “Carrie” book deal. The where he was and and what he could and couldn’t do about it. It must have been a budding young authors fairytale come true.

By: Fecundity

Fecundity — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:50:49 +0000

I very much enjoyed this book too, and agree that it seemed like two books in one. The autobiographical parts of it had me almost howling with laughter at times, or wincing in sympathy (be it over repeated rejections or getting creamed by a van). The educational parts were quite helpful and were certainly inspirational.

By: WritersCoin

WritersCoin — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:44:19 +0000

One of my favorite books of all time. It is one of the best motivators to actually sit down and write that there is. And to submit. As we speak I am collecting my own huge pile of rejections slips. Not on a nail but in a folder. This is a fantastic book.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:10:21 +0000

Oh, with respect to the cover. Do you know what is behind those doors leading to the basement?

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:09:16 +0000

I read this book a while back. If you do read it there is one exercise he recommends where he asks you to send it in (like a contest). Go ahead and do the exercise, but don’t send it in unless something has changed at his website. They closed it to new submissions years ago (though you should also visit the site just to see the results in what he picked and compare it to your effort). I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

By: amypalko

amypalko — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:38:51 +0000

Raymond, I think the cover probably refers to where King believes his muse lives; ‘He lives in the ground. He’s a basement guy. You have to descend to his level’ (On Writing, p. 163.
Trent, thank you so much for reviewing this book. It is one of my personal favourites, and I am a firm believer in its usefulness for all types of writing. Great post!

By: RobD

RobD — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:32:00 +0000

Great recommendation, I am well into my first novel and constantly find it tricky to find that ‘spark’ or quiet time, as I work full time as well. I’ve just ordered this on the strength of your review, sounds like it may well be able to help me.

Keep up the good work :-)

By: Money Blue Book

Money Blue Book — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:33:18 +0000

Hmm…somehow I thought the cover of his book would be a bit different – more horror/suspense related perhaps. Although I guess he is writing about the generic topic of writing rather than about the topic of horror novels

Glancing at the cover I would have thought it was a book about gardening… :)
-Raymond

By: Gena

Gena — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:14:47 +0000

“On Writing” is one of the many good books available on wordsmithing as a craft. Also good: “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott and “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg. I just picked up “Reading Like a Writer” by the aptly named Francine Prose and I’ve gotta say, she’s magical.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:34:49 +0000

These are great tips Trent, even for a plain blogger like myself. I would have to emphasize the comment that you should always write what is true to your heart. People can always read through it and see if you are fake.

By: Kin

Kin — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:32:09 +0000

Excellent review – I love this book. Even my hubby reads it regularly, and about all he writes is letters/engineering reports for work.

Loads of great advice and very entertaining.