This was a wonderful book, and I’m glad I chose it as one of my books to kick off 2018. While I’m not a fan of the horror genre, and therefore don’t read much of Stephen King’s work, he has written over 50 worldwide bestsellers so he must be doing something right.

This was an inspiring read for any writer, with lots of good advice. While I did not agree with all of King’s advice, I still managed to fill my copy of On Writing with an outstanding number of Post-It notes. Most of what I flagged for later was strictly writing advice - and not inspirational quotes that changed my perspective - but the fact that I did flag a lot says this book is well-worth any writer’s time. King gives us tips based on his own experiences - from writing in general to revision, editing, and publishing. I especially enjoyed his several page example at the end of the book of one of his own revisions. Many times in writing books the revision examples are only a couple of paragraphs, but I like seeing the work as a whole (or in this case, as a section).

King also reminds us that despite being a book on writing, you can’t be a successful writer - or even just a good one - without reading, and reading a lot. You can read like a writer or read as a reader, but “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or tools to write.” After all, “You cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” Every writer is influenced by other writers whose works they have either loved (or in some cases, despised), and I was pleased to find that Stephen King concluded On Writing with a list of nearly 200 books that have impacted his writing style.

“In the end, [writing is] about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well.”

In other words, writing is magic and words have weight, so write what you love.

I’m glad I am on that track.