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I've always been interested in process, the act of creation, whether putting on a show (I did some stage managing in my wild youth), musical composition, choreography, and especially writing. I think I have an instinctual need to just know at least some of the nuts and bolts in order to appreciate the final product. I've read quite a number of books and essays, heard a lot of authors talk about the process writing. In fact, I find that all the usual 'rules' or 'guide posts' to writing that King and others espouse applies to any writing you do in any profession and in your personal life. I certainly apply them to my work as a lawyer. King's hatred of adverbs? I hate legalese. I'm sure many find that odd given I'm a lawyer.

I rank Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft in the top quarter of my cumulative exposure to the craft behind writing, not so much because of the information he provides, but at the very enjoyable and very personal style he presents it. You can hear and envision the teacher he once was when he first started writing - it reads like the transcript of his classroom lectures given while he paced around the classroom, pausing and pointing to a student to contribute, then moving on. Did I learn anything really new about writing? Any great new rules or words of wisdom? Not really, as I actually heard in my head as I read writers like Anne Lamott, George R.R. Martin, and Lin-Manuel Miranda saying the same or slight variations of the same. By the way, every single author I've ever known or heard speak about the subject of writing itself says one thing: if you want to write, read, read everything you can get your hands on, and never stop reading. I know a young woman in her 20s who is a writer though as yet unpublished. She writes all the time, every chance she gets. But she rarely reads anything at all and when she does it's a YA fantasy and only YA fantasy. I keep trying to figure out how to get across to her that she needs to read more than just copies of her various writing efforts, and that she needs to read broadly. I worry about her but she's young. I keep sending her book suggestions hoping something will click. Maybe I should send her this?

I loved the personal tales King told here: his 'C.V.', his use of both his own works and those of authors he has read as examples and reference points, and perhaps most of all, that journey back to writing after the accident. Those are important to understand who he is as a writer and why he is the writer he is.

I also absolutely loved his references and idolizatoin of Messrs. Strunk and White and their The Elements of Style. Hey, a copy lives on the bookshelf in my office next to the computer, cuddled right up to Merriam Webster, Black's Law Dictionary, the Blue Book (art of legal citation), and my thesaurus. I worship at the feet of the same gods.

But I do have a bone to pick with him, and if we ever overlap again at the Murder Mystery Weekend at Mohonk Mountain House (we met at two such events in the eary 1990s), I'm going to have a chat about his kicking plot to the curb and claiming great storytelling never includes plotting.

Theresa wrote: " I'm going to have a chat about his kicking plot to the curb and claiming great storytelling never includes plotting..."

I think what he means is that he does not believe in having a detailed outline of the plot in advance. He lets the story (plot) happen more organically. I've heard other authors refer to this as "outlining" vs "pantsing" (as in "by the seat of your pants").

Book Concierge wrote: "Theresa wrote: " I'm going to have a chat about his kicking plot to the curb and claiming great storytelling never includes plotting..."

I think what he means is that he does not believe in having..."

Yes, but many superb authors -especially mystery writers - are in the middle: no outline but a general sense of where it is going and how it will end up, though the full journey is gray even unknown, full of gaping holes. Characters have been known to hijack the plots too.

Still worth a discussion with him if I ever have the opportunity.

I just finished this and liked it much more than I thought when I picked it up. I have no interest in writing and found it surprisingly interesting for someone who is just a fan.

I loved this book so much. It's truly on my top 25 books of all time. I felt that it actually enhanced my perspective as a reader . . .I mean someday, maybe, I would like to try my hand at writing . . .but even if I NEVER write, I loved this "inside baseball" view of writing. His was the first book on writing I really devoured, and I've read others since. The others were fascinating too, but this one inspired.

Anita wrote: "I loved this book so much. It's truly on my top 25 books of all time. I felt that it actually enhanced my perspective as a reader . . .I mean someday, maybe, I would like to try my hand at writing ..."

My favorite book about writing and being a writer is Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott's funny and helpful collection of essays based on writing workshops she had given. It was also the first book on the craft of writing that I read. Well other than The Elements of Style. I think the first good entertaining yet serious book about the craft inevitably is the one that you like and influences you the most.

@Anita - I checked back to read my rating and review of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life - 4 stars as I gave King's - and saw your great review that includes comparing it to King's. You made an excellent point that LaMott is more practical (which makes sense given they were based on actual handson workshops she gave) while King's more motivational. I think that is an excellent way to distinguish them.

Thank you, Theresa! They were both excellent books . . .I am grateful there are authors willing to share how they do what they do. As a book lover, I find it absolutely fascinating!

I have a friend who decided to write a book during the pandemic. She's an eclectic reader - her novel is historical fiction. She read King's "On Writing" for guidance and found it to be very helpful. She is now writing her second book.