Review of On Writing by Stephen King
The first thing to say is that you mustn't be put off this book if you are not a fan of horror fiction. I'm not, but I loved On Writing when it first came out in 2001.
In a sense, it is two books in one.
First, it is an autobiography of Stephen King - well, not an autobiography, exactly, more an account of those experiences in his life that have helped to shape the novel writer he has become (including the crash that almost killed him a few years back).
Second, and more importantly for the purposes of learning how to write novels, it is packed with novel writing advice from a master of the craft.
I don't mean just the usual nuts-and-bolts advice (though there is plenty of that).
But you will also find much broader words of wisdom on issues such as the value of experience and the need to question everything.
On the one hand, this creative writing guide pulls no punches. Novel writing is tough, King says (I liked the part where he admits to writing even on Christmas Day), and your talent may not be sufficient to see you through.
But despite these heavy doses of realism, the book is also motivational. If you are at all lacking in self-belief (and novel writing requires plenty of that), buy this book.
For a taste of this compelling blend of tough motivation, take a look at this extract from the book:
"Don't wait for the muse...This isn't the Ouija board or the spirit-world we're talking about here, but just another job like laying pipe or driving long-haul trucks. Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from nine 'til noon or seven 'til three. If he does know, I assure you that sooner or later he'll start showing up, chomping his cigar and making his magic."
Seriously, buy this book and read it twice. It really is that good.
Next Book Review: A writing guide first published in the 1920s that has become a classic - E. M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel...
