Stephen King - On Writing

http://www.stephenking.com/library/nonfiction/on_writing:_a_memoir_of_the_craft.html

As most of my regulars know, I grew up on Stephen King books.  The gore, the thrill, the what the heck wildness of his books.  Then somewhere along the way, I grew tired of them.  Maybe it was simply that I had grown up and got to busy for them.  Maybe it was the change in my taste from horror to historical.  Either way, I stopped reading him. 

Then this book came out several years ago.  Now being a writer, you’d think I would have jumped at the book.  I didn’t.  No real reason, again.  It was partly, from the lack of desire to get back into his books.  And it was partly due to the remarks here and there he had about other authors or want-to-be authors.  I found it rude at times and hurtful at others even though he wasn’t talking about me.  (Note:  Please, Stephen King, don’t read my books and then drudge them through the dirt.  I don’t have the thick skin you need in this industry.  I’m getting there, yes.  However, my feelings are still tender.)  I felt for the likes of Stephanie Myers, VC Andrews and now, James (Fifty Shades of uck).  I get what he is says and I agree in some aspects, but geez man, do you have to be so…mean?

Therefore, I wasn’t all that keen to spend what little book money I had for the year on this book.  However, it was again and again thrown at me.  “You have to read this!”  “He writes like you.”  What?  Like me how?  “Yes, he doesn’t like to outline.  He goes with the story.”  On and on, this book was in my face and in my way. 

I bought it.  In soft cover so that I could make notes, just in case I wanted to (I did, darn it all!)  It is not a sit down and devour type of book.  Just isn’t.  You have to take it in a bit at a time and really think about what he is saying.  I took about 3 weeks to get through it.  After the first section, I read a chapter or two a day, then processed. 

So what did I think?  I think it was wonderful.  I can’t believe how much I got out of his book on writing.  Who knew?  The first section is background, and story telling of his past and I loved it.  The second part was really about getting to it; how to get to it; and what to do to get there.  It was without all the mumbo jumbo you usually find out there in the writer books.  It was straight forward, to the point, and as usual, direct.  It was a great read and a book I will no doubt come back to again and again.  I can’t believe I put off reading it all this time.  If you are a fiction writer, or think you want to become a fiction writer, buy the book.  It is useful. 

Darn you, Stephen King!  You got me again.  Thank you for that.  I missed ya.