Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Stephen King's On Writing

This is always the first book I recommend to fellow writers.  As the back of the book puts it, "Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have." Stephen King might not be regarded as high culture, but the man knows how to craft a solid story.  Whether or not you like reading horror (I don't), this text is a must for writers - and an enjoyable read, as well.  Storytellers of other disciplines might not benefit as directly from some bits (like King's directive to scratch out adverbs), but the underlying messages (i.e. cut the fat) are good for all of us to hear.  King's honest but unsentimental account of his pre-fame-and-fortune struggles is also heartening.  (Thank you to Arkonbey for introducing me to this book :)

(Click on the book cover image to order this title from an indie bookstore local to you.)

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