Book Review: "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (Samantha Hill/@littleleafreadsandwrites)

Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

Writing. Writing. Writing. WRITING.

Us writers know that some days feel like a brisk walk in the park breaking little to no sweat while other days it feels like you're hiking to the top of Mount Everest with the bare bones on your back. Simple, right? Some may say 'yes,' some may say 'no,' and others might be looking at you with a baffled look on their face.

When I started my writing journey, I was a little bit late to the game (but who really is to say that you are late?) and I came into this world a little blind. However, that "blindness" has allowed me to learn, grow, and reflect as a writer. I started writing a book this year and I jut hit the biggest writing blocks of my life. I searched, looked, and tried to find a way to get inspired again and that is where I came across On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.

I was gifted this book last Fall when I started to study at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. My dad sent it to me in the mail and said that I should give it a read. With the lack of time and mostly focusing all of my writing in journalism, I never picked up the book. Not until a week ago.

On Writing has changed the way I view, think, and act upon writing. Not only has King changed the way I write but he also inspired me to write. After reading this book, I wanted to not only write a review about this book but also share what has changed my views on writing as a whole.

"There is no Idea Dump, no Story Central, no Island of the Buried Bestsellers; good story ideas seem to come quite literally from nowhere, sailing at you right out of the empty sky."

After reading this quote for the first time, I did not understand what King meant until I read about the process of writing Carrie. To put it simple -- an idea is going to be a combination of what you experience in real life, what you read online, and what you read in other books. When I started my writing journey, I used to think all of my ideas had to be my own and if I took from something, I considered it to be "unoriginal." Not until I had a realization that it is okay to take ideas from other places, stories, and personal life and make it your own.

"If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or since, I suppose), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that's all."

When I first started my writing journey, the question that always was thrown in my face: "Are you going to make any money doing that?" Short answer. Yes.

We live in a world where the Art's do not make money but yet, we rely on them so much for the pleasures and enjoyment in life. I find it hypocritical, sure, but I also find it a bit inspirational. Those in the arts are often ridiculed about their work but in reality, they are often the one's who are bringing the light, inspiration, and drive into the world. Do not let those people put you down, cut you out, or diminish the light of your dreams because one day, just one day, those dreams will happen with consistency and drive.

When I first started my educational pathway, there were challenges of those putting down the pathway I chose and told me I should go into something more "science" based in order to make money. That alone put so much drive into me to become the writer that I am today. Especially after reading King's book, it made me feel like I am not alone.

King wrote this book as a memoir and I will say, he has made me believe that becoming a writer can be accomplished. With this re-telling of how Carrie was his first best-seller along with working two jobs, being a teacher, a father, and a husband, it showed me that he was an average guy (minus the drugs and alcoholism) that was simply just wanting to write to tell a story. That is what I want to do, write to tell a story.

"Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up."

Your job is to also take these ideas and write about them. I have became more notable about what is happening in my life and using them to my advantage when writing. While it may be minor and probably not make the cut in my work, it still pushes me to be more aware of what is surrounding me and use it to my advantage.

"You can't let the whole world into your story, but you can let in the ones that matter the most. And you should."

King explains how it is important to have a few important readers in your life to give feedback and critique on your writing. I do have a special someone in my life who I will let them read my work. However, I do keep all of my ideas, first drafts, and thoughts to myself when I am in the process of writing. I find myself sometimes losing the creativity if I talk about it instead of writing about it.

Read and write.

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut."

I do not thing that King could stress this throughout his book. Well, he isn't wrong. Reading improves not only your grammar but also you writing style too. When I started reading a few years ago, I noticed my writing style and levels were much lower compared to where I have grown today. Read the works that inspire you.

Along with reading, writing and creating a habit or routine is what is going to change the outcome of your writing. While I am a full-time student and work part-time jobs, making the time to writing is extremely difficult. I do my best to set time aside either between classes, during homework breaks, or before bed to spend some writing on my book, short stories, or my blog!

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King's book has shown me what it means to be a writer, not just to make money but to tell a story. While I would love to be a full-time author and make a steady living off of doing what I love, I want to tell that story that will have you on the edge of your seat, wiping your tears away, or laughing until you cannot breath anymore. King, himself, well, he did that.

If you are a starting writer or a writer who is trying to regain their path back in life, pick this book up. Pick it up, highlight, annotate, journal, and reflect. It is more than a "how-to" book but more of a "this is how I did it, maybe learn a thing or two" book. This book has been eye-opening to everything that I have not been doing and what I should be doing. My attempts and process to my writing has drastically changed after I have read this book.

Thank you Stephen. Sincerely, thank YOU for this book.

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Honorable Mention Quotes

"It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it is isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support-system for art. It's the other way around."

"Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of different. They don't have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough."

Thank you to those who believe in me. You know who you are.

"Good writing is often about letting go of fear and affectation. Affectation itself, beginning with the need to define some sorts of writing as "good" and other sorts as "bad," is fearful behavior."