On Writing
I apologize. I’ve kind of been neglecting the blog over the past…little bit.
I’m going to try to get better though. I promose.
Anyway, I re-read Stephen King’s On Writing this weekend. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it now - probably at least four of five.
And the great thing is that no matter how many times I’ve read it, I still get something out of it. I think that if I were to read it once a week I’d probably still get something different out of it each and every time.
If you’re a writer, and haven’t read it yet, get yourself to a bookstore NOW.
If there’s one “writing” book that I think every writer should read, it’s On Writing (the other would be The Elements of Style but since Stephen King pimps that one I don’t need to).
The thing that really struck me this time was the idea of your story being a fossil that you have to carefully excavate. It’s all there, you just have to uncover it. That really stuck with me this time.
Have you read On Writing? What’s your favorite part? Is there any other book you read regularly?
January 29th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I’ve read On Writing several times. Don’t know that I have a favorite part, cuz I like it all! :)
January 29th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
It’s a great book, isn’t it? I laugh at the babysitter part. :)
January 29th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
I have it on my bookshelf…
I need to pull it out. :)
January 30th, 2007 at 1:59 am
You’re tagged my dear!
http://keziahhill.blogspot.com/2007/01/tagged.html
And I loved On Writing.
January 30th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Hi Emma! I haven’t read it but that’s not surprising as I try to avoid all types of those books. I’m not saying its the wisest choice but I don’t like having too much advice swarming around in my head. Maybe when I feel more confident in being able to maintain my own voice without feeling like I need to change everything I will be more open to reading - helpful writing books. :)
Cole
January 30th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Yes, I’ve read On Writing and loved it! Unfortunately, I loaned it to my mother last year and it hasn’t come back yet. :P
The fossil analogy is SO accurate, at least for me. The whole story is there in my head somewhere, but it’s usually a slow and painstaking process to reveal it.