Review: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book since I have recently taken an interest in writing - mostly short stories that will probably never be seen outside my English class. But my teacher noticed my new interest and suggested this book to me. So I went out and got it.

Let me tell you, it's great.

Any other books I've looked at recently are all 'how to construct a plot' or 'how to properly write dialogue.' But not this book.

In On Writing, Stephen King guides us through his journey in life and his journey in becoming one of the best known authors out there. It's refreshing to read how someone got to where they are and the real struggle behind it. He doesn't give us instructions, he gives us a story.

Within the story he gives us tips on becoming a writer, such as even letting yourself write 1000 words a day, just to keep up the practice. My favorite one is that in order to write, you need to read. It makes sense because whether you read good writing or bad, you're learning from it. You either learn how to write a good story or a bad one.

Whether you're a King fan, an aspiring writer or you just want a good read, I highly recommend this book!