On Writing vs Danse Macabre

[Goodlovin]

I finally bought On Writing with a few others books and I waited until I read the others before reading it. I then ended up going to the book store and picking up a bunch of gangster mafia books and am now almost finished with them (I am nearing the end of Black Mass a story of Whitey Bulger and the Boston FBI and how they were in cahoots) and realize once again On Writing is staring at me waiting for me to read it.


I think the reason for my trepidation is the fact that I really didn't enjoy Danse in the least and I keep avoiding it because I don't want to dislike another of Mr Kings books.


It is probably a terrible comparison no?

[Moderator]

On Writing is more anecdotal about Stephen's life so it would give you an insight about him as a person and his writing career. You could skip the technical part about how to write if that's not something that interests you.

[Dana Jean]

I loved Danse Macabre. It is one of my most favorite SK books but probably because, although I'm ten or eleven years younger than him, I grew up watching the same stuff he did. I found it to be very anecdotal too.

[Doc Wilson]

I didn't care for Danse either but I loved On Writing. I don't think you have to worry.

[Haunted]

If you are interested in Mr. King as a person and how he goes about his craft, On Writing is a treasure.

[Bryan James]

"On Writing" is kinda like sitting in your comfy green chair and listening to (I almost put my character's name in) King yammer at ya. If you have the book, give it a shot. I've read it more than any of his other books.

Also, most people can't pronouce 'macabre" correctamundo anywhei.

~BJS

[Kaleidoscope]

I tried to read Danse several times and never got further than a few pages. I just wasn't interested. I gave it away eventually. But I love On Writing and have read it several times. I find them quite different reads. So I'd definitely give it a try.

[SharonC]

Two very different, but very good books, I thought. On Writing was more like sitting down with Mr. King and having a chat.

[randallFlaggfan1]

Two very different, but very good books, I thought. On Writing was more like sitting down with Mr. King and having a chat.

I couldn't have said it better, SharonC. To me, On Writing seemed like a very intimate experience.

[GNTLGNT]

Both books are probably about as close as I'll ever come to an actual sit down conversation with the Maestro, so pour me a another cup of brew and put the footrest out on the recliner and lets "talk" Uncle Steve!

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

If you like Sai King's non-fiction can I recommend 'Secret Windows', described as a 'companion volume' to 'On Writing' and only available on the secondary market and also 'Faithful', co-written with Stewart O'Nan?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Mister Kite]

I haven't read On Writing. I bought it for my daughter who writes.
I did however recently pick up Danse Macabre (which was given to me the month it was published) and have discovered that it is a good discourse on SK's formative influences.
My one nagging question is whether some of his childhood incidents made him a good writer or whether being a good writer made some of his childhood incidents???
I am looking forward to his new movie book.

[dsurrett]

I loved On Writing and have read it twice and have listened to the audio version at least a half dozen times. I listened to Danse Macabre once, and enjoyed it, but was somewhat disappointed because it didn't have as much of the "how-to" elements as On Writing did. Danse does contain episodes of Mr. King's past that I hadn't heard before.
On Writing is a biography/how-to and Danse is a documentary on horror fiction. That's my opinion anyway.

[Lina]

I didn't like Danse Macabre. Honestly, I even skipped some places of the book, couldn't make myself read all the book.
But I loved On writing. It is a great book that contains a lot of information about how to write, it's a treasure if you want to learn something about writing. Besides, there is a lot of information about Mr. King's life and about his creative work that is also very, very interesting! It's one of my favorite SK books and I'm going to read it again and again, because I'm sure that every time I'm going to find there something useful for me. (IMO)

[Drumbum]

I've never read Danse. The technical portions of On Writing will make more sense if you read The Elements of Style. Secret Windows,On Writing,and The Elements are three books I recommend to writers of every level. Ya don't wanna write? No problem. There's something in these books for everyone.

17. Omit needless words

Very
Alot
Really
As well as

Shudder. I try not to use those words. Let's get em added to the next revision of Elements.

[Trickmind]

http://www.stephenking.com/forums/images/v4_skin/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by SharonC http://www.stephenking.com/forums/images/v4_skin/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/showthread.php?p=359604#post359604)
On Writing was more like sitting down with Mr. King and having a chat.

It IS I feel so frustrated reading it that I can't discuss writing with Mr. King. lol It made me feel like I know him personally.
I have Danse Macabre in my to be read pile. I bought it because I love On Writing but I don't know if I will like it since I'm not normally a horror fan. lol I don't like gore or gross out. But I'm fascinated by the psychological stuff in horror. I've only read one horror novel that wasn't by King and that won't be in Danse Macabre because it's by a New Zealand writer. Still I love reading about books so I'm hoping to get something out of it.
I AM a big fan of everything I've read by King which apart from On Writing would be Misery, Carrie, Insomnia, "The Body" and right now I'm reading Hearts in Atlantis.

[erika tuchbaum]

Never read Danse Macabre but I have read On Writing... that was fun since SK brings you into the book and into his mind. I appreciate that a lot in the book.