On Writing

[ShootDaSquirrells]

How many of you read this and felt the need to try and write a novel (or at least a short story)?

[Bryan James]

Too many.

But that's OK. The 2010 'Writer's Digest' ships at the end of June, by the way...

BJS

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Or to put it another way, who hasn't?

Apart from it's sheer instructional value, it must be the most inspiring book about writing ever written; I believe it should be mandatory in high schools.

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

Long days and pleasant nights

[Bryan James]

*****I meant Writer's Market********

[jenboxer77]

I started trying to write again after reading, On Writing. It was very inspirational for me and I am sure we are not the only ones who were compelled to write after reading this. ;)

[IUSMPhD]

I got to page 200 of my novel and then lost steam. Some day maybe I'll finish the thing, although I suspect that if I went back and read it now, I'd probably think it's total crap.

[aneaglesangel]

I was already writing my book when I read On Writing. I hope it helps me to make less mistakes but I do have to say it inspired me. Now if I could only get this ghost to cooperate, I could finish the story. I'm sort of held up a bit on finishing it. I guess true stories can do that to you. They've got to play themselves out before you can finish them. Either way, for better or worse, I hope Stephen King has made something out of me. And I hope it's a writer!!

[JohnDalglish]

I got to page 200 of my novel and then lost steam. Some day maybe I'll finish the thing, although I suspect that if I went back and read it now, I'd probably think it's total crap.

Hi,

But perhaps not, give it a go IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Haunted]

I requested and received as a Christmas gift Mr. King's On Writing for the sheer joy of reading about the writing craft and how my most favorite author approached it. I was not disappointed. And that book sits in a treasured spot on my book shelf nearest my computers. Thank You, Dear Sir.:biggrin2:

[BlueCeleste]

I was writing before I read it but it's very inspiring, to know how he struggled and then succeeded, now if only I could get there...
Everytime I get depressed about my writing, I go back to it and it's like an electric jolt, it jump start my creativity.

[MeLeesa Swann]

I wrote a short story based on something in the book. It wasn't an exercise or anything, but SK has a way of saying things in passing that spark your interest and inspire you to do something about it. I just entered the short story in a contest. (fingers crossed) I also started writing a book again. It felt so good to get back to it. I've focused on the kids for a while. It feels like finding a missing piece of myself.
by the way, if you think your story is a piece of crap, rewrite it. Change it to suit who you are now. I bet even SK looks over some of his stuff and says, "Man, I could have done that better." We will never see those mistakes ourselves, but we are not the greatness that is Stephen King.:cool2:

[Mr Nobody]

I wrote already, but it gave a new impetus. Even now, I'll reach over and get it off the shelf and read awhile whenever I get stuck, or just think the game isn't worth the candle. You can bet I'm back wanting to write again in no time. It's my rubber ring in the ocean of words.

[ShootDaSquirrells]

Hi,

Or to put it another way, who hasn't?

Apart from it's sheer instructional value, it must be the most inspiring book about writing ever written; I believe it should be mandatory in high schools.

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

Long days and pleasant nights


Yes, I agree, although I am more of a musician myself. I am now trying to take up writing as inspired by On Writing. But yes this book has certainly taught me more things than all the classes I have had in my educational years.

[Sundrop]

I have a true story that I've been keeping notes on for years. I will eventually write it all in a book format. I'm just waiting to ask my dad if it's OK for me to write about his family. Believe me when I say that truth is indeed stranger than fiction! My dad is the only one of his family left that I care about, and I'd like to have his seal of approval. :)

[michal]

I write for a living, and yet the book made me realize why I write and did make me want to read something that is not so... pointless as the commercial writing I do.
It made me realize why writing is a gift and how precious it is, if you use it well and practice with all your might

[Howler]

I just finished reading On Writing and was so touched by this book that I had to join the forum.

I've been writing professionally for 14 years and have had a few of my books published, three of them horror. When I'm not writing novels, I ghostwrite for other people. Occasionally I get desperate and write articles for magazines with headlines like, "Pamper Your Pooch Without Taking a Bite Out of Your Wallet!" It pays the bills...

I always believed that books and courses on writing were bullshit and for the most part they are. But not this one. As an old pro, I learned a hell of a lot and grew as a writer.

This book inspires me as a writer in a way that Ben Franklin's Autobiography inspires me in life. It had that much of an impact.

I highly recommend this book. Mr. King is truly a friend to all writers.

[Insomniak]

I read it years ago don't know what I did with it, but it's worth a read. Even if your not going to be a pro it's probably worth checking out. Anything King says is like taking to a billionaire if you are interested in writing. In other words if my main interest in life was to make money I listen when a billionaire speaks. Now Stephen King is the King. A person like me looks at his work and says, "I can do that upside down because I'm burning, I mean if I didn't write the book I would have to climb Mount Everest." So it's not do I want to wright and be a pro, oh no It's more like, "Do I want to be him." And that takes work. And if I can't, be him, then for me, what's the point in it at all? Joy comes from the read not the write, but ultimately if you stick with it, then the write starts giving you the joy, but then again Mr. King did say, if you suck you suck, in so many words. That's what I liked about the book-it was just straight talk.

[blunthead]

sK's work has encouraged me to try my hand more than any other author, and I started a short story. So far, though I like some of what I've written, I feel that I don't know what I'm doing. I suspect that, to a degree, that doesn't matter.

I think having the germ of the story intact--a kind of mental outline--is enough; after that you just keep digging and discovering.

[Doc Wilson]

Its a great book. For me the most enlightening part was the idea of not editing until you've written the first draft all the way through. Too much of my work has been ruined or aborted from doing just the opposite, and I'd never realized that was the reason.

[Lina]

I've just started reading On writing and I really enjoy it. I also like to write and I hope I will find something useful in this book. I hope it will inspire me.

[Duma D]

I was driving my old Toyota truck to the canal to walk my Lab who sat patiently beside me almost reading my thoughts. I was thinking about On Writing and how if nothing else learning to write, with its guidance, helped me to deal with the even more real nightmares that blindside the aging increasingly responsibility-laden baby boomer. That was when I noticed the sound of my brake pads starting to fail, a rough scraping reverberating up through my airconditioning almost. Each stop sign required a little more anticipation. We made it to the shop a few blocks from the canal, where kind Ernie said best not to drive the truck anymore until he replaced those pads. "It goes quick, when it goes." Who knows? Stephen King's On Writing may have saved lives today.

[Abbie]

Too many.

But that's OK. The 2010 'Writer's Digest' ships at the end of June, by the way...

BJS

I think libraries carry last years copy and also the Writer's Market tome. May not be up to date but... then hmm. --Abbie

[Haunted]

Came across an article about a romance writer who after her first manuscript was crushingly criticized says 'she took a grammar class and read Stephen King's book On Writing'. She then spent five years writing like 'a crazy woman'. She eventually had her first romance novel published by Harlequin in 2008.

[Denise Marsden]

On writing is such an inspiring book, Ive always wanted to have a go.They say there is at least one novel in all of us.Im am not surprised that so many ''would be authors'' are attracted to Mr.Kings work. He makes story telling seem so effortless even though some of his tales must have felt like giving birth.I liked the autobiographical bit as well it lent the book that personal touch that prevented a perception of reading a text book.I suspect he was an excellent teacher.

[malarabid]

I grew up writing stories. Once, in 8th grade, my mom found something I wrote and did not like its contents and made me tear it up. Things were never the same after that.

I really shouldn't worry about that anymore. On Writing reminded me that the first draft is for me, with the door closed.

Thank you for that!