On Writing (original 2000; edition 2002)

by Stephen King (Author)

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Canonical title

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2000

People/Characters

Stephen King

Tabitha King

Important places

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Honesty's the best policy. — Miguel de Cervantes

Liars prosper. — Anonymous

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Amy Tan, who told me in a very simple and direct way that it was okay to write it.

C. V.

First words

I was stunned by Mary Karr's memoir, The Liar's Club.

[Foreword] In the early nineties (it might have been 1992, but it's hard to remember when you're having a good time) I joined a rock-and-roll band composed mostly of writers.

[Second Foreword] This is a short book because most books about writing are filled with bullshit.

[Third Foreword] One rule of the road not directly stated elsewhere in this book: "The editor is always right."

Quotations

"I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs and I will shout it from the rooftops."

"... there is a huge difference between story and plot. Story is honorable and trustworthy; plot is shifty and best kept under house arrest." (page 170)

(p79) Look — here's a table covered with a red cloth. ... Do we see the same thing? We'd have to get together and compare notes to make absolutely sure, but I think we do. There will be necessary variations, of course: some receivers will see a cloth which is turkey red, some will see one that's scarlet, while others may see still other shades. ... and a cat with an 8, clearly marked on its back in blue ink ... This is what we're looking at, and we all see it. I didn't tell you. You didn't ask me. I never opened my mouth and you never opened yours. We're not even in the same year together, let alone the same room ... except we are together. We're close. We're having a meeting of the minds.

(p102) The object of fiction isn't grammatical correctness but to make the reader welcome and then tell a story ...

Last words

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