A Memoir of the Craft, written by author Stephen King which describes his experiences as a writer and offers his advice for aspiring writers.
On Writing is divided into five sections, each with a different focus; the first section, "C.V.," narrates his life. King said that it is not an autobiography, but more a curriculum vitae, owing to the sporadic nature of his memories.
The book also discusses events in King's life that contributed to his development as a writer, such as his early exposure to writing and his early attempts to be published. The “C.V.” also touches on his relationship with his wife, his mother's death, and his history of drug and alcohol abuse.
The "Toolbox" is the third section of the book, which discusses the English mechanics and the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style in writing. The APA Style manual for writing is much needed, or a similar reference book.
It is in the fourth section of the book that delves "On Writing", that King's advice in the second section discusses "What Writing Is", King compares writing to telepathy. He briefly reintroduces himself and includes an example of literary description. He urges the reader to take writing and his advice seriously. I think he is punning, but probably not.
The final chapter of this book touches upon the accident that King had while walking on the highway; he’d survived and published lots more since.
What to make of this writer whose books I have never read, but my husband has read most, if not all, of them?
Stephen King is of humble birth and beginnings, and readers either like or don’t read him at all. I am one of those readers never to have never read him, but this book on writing—“A memoir of the Craft” caught my attention for a submission here on my website’s blog that no one gets to read since it is in BETA mode.
I will continue not to read Stephen King, opting for John Saul, Clive Barker, Patricia Cornwell, Lawrence Sanders, and some others that I’ve enjoyed reading when I used to read for the sake of reading with nothing to think about.
Well, I hope to return and add to this Art of Writing topic monthly. This month has not been good for this ‘pretender’ who is not a writer, but takes lots of pictures of things of interest to post. I hope to share something better next time, after all–this is what writing is all about…sharing/stimulating, and supporting one another.
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Thank you!