Positive Press

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

I really enjoyed Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, because it’s a good primer on becoming a better writer. But I also liked it because the author manages to be straightforward about the odds against a person not among the elite few literary geniuses developing exceptional writing skills. He also simultaneously shows how to elevate one’s game.

And I got a lot out of this book because the author makes the entire experience a joy, and concludes with a chilling tale of how he’s survived a terrible, real-life accident to persevere and triumph as an author and a human being.

It was also neat to hear about his family and how he has a successful, lifelong marriage, with kids, and with imperfections and all.

Finally, his sense of spiritual matters might diverge from mine somewhat, but he seems a fine person and has an admirable grasp of the principals of faith.

Kudos to Stephen King. You were effective, entertaining, and moving in this clever and homey volume. I could have consumed this read in a day or two, but my busy, demanding life expanded my enjoyment over about two weeks’ time.