Secret Windows

[krs72]

I don't know anything about this book.
Can someone tell me about it?

[Jojo87]

This was a wonderful book. I read it few years back. But just thought is a time for re-read. Because I've forgot a few things about this book.
And krs72 I would rather tell you about this, but I've forgot to much so I'm not the best one to tell about this now.

[Timmy]

I don't know anything about this book.
Can someone tell me about it?

This book rocks the house. I can't believe it doesn't get more attention... I would have never known about it, if not for this board... And I think maybe it's out of print!?!?!?! WHY????

Anyway, I just got it yesterday and am only about eighty pages into it, so this isn't a complete summary. But, it is meant to serve as a "companion piece" to On Writing. I disagree and agree with that statement simultaneously. So far, from what I have observed, there was one strong similarity between the two books. The part were Tabitha, King's wife, finds the crumpled manuscript of Carrie in the trash, pulls it out, and encourages Stephen to finish it. The cliff note's version of this story is in On Writing. The full, un-cut, bad a$$ story is in Secret Windows, and honestly, I think it is far bettertold. I don't want to spoil it, but that in itself was an eye opener, and proved the purchase of the book worthwhile. This should also serve as an example of the similarity between the two.

A major difference is SW discusses the business end of getting work published (the submission and rejection process) in far more detail than On Writing. I think SW could almost be retitled the "4th Drawer." In On Writing, King says that Sales and Marketing is the fourth drawer, recommends the Writers Journal, and moves on... Or, gets back to his main point, the craft of writing. And rightfully (pun?) so, for On Writing is a book about the creative process. But, for the aspiring writer, we might need a little more detail on how a deal goes down. If you are in that group - as am I - then get secret windows.

The third thing is that SW is what I thought Danse Macabre would be. I got Danse at the same time - as some of you may know from a different thread - and my perception was that DM book would be the On Writing of horror. OW just tells you the creative process, the nuts and bolts, right? I thought Danse would be more specific to the mechanics of writing scary stuff. And maybe it is - I'm only fifty pages in - but, so far, it seems to be more of a historical account of the horror industry, starting with Poe and moving forward. That is great, and I am enjoying the book, as I do all King's work... It's just not what I expected. SW, on the other hand, has more lessons on how to scare the hell out of somebody. Which is nice.

So, I started this message with the intent to praise King, and as I read through the other posts in this thread, it appeared someone wanted a synopsis that never came, so this note is a little of both. But, all in all, a great read. I am enjoying it and think you will as well. You just have to hunt around for it a little bit (Amazon is great) because it is not easy to find... And that is what confuses the hell out of me. Why is this book not ON THE MARKET???

Ok, that's all I got. Catch you guys later,

Timmy

[Moderator]

Book of the Month Club which operates the Stephen King Library wanted a companion book to On Writing for its members which is how this book came about and why it is not more widely distributed.

[Timmy]

Thanks, Ms.Mod. Like I say, I have not finished it, but it is really good and should be widely distributed... (just my two cents)

[CCAL]

Well all I can say is, I didnt know of this book (dont think I did anyway) but if I ever run across it I most definitely WILL get it! have a great day people!