Rach's Reading Club

I was thinking today that it's really about time I review Stephen King's "On Writing" and that it's so good it *had* to have won some kind of award. Sure enough, it did! In 2000 it won the Bram Stoker award for Best Non Fiction, as well as some other awards. What a relief that this review fulfills my second May requirement.

So, this is a book that I *meant* to read for a very long time. I borrowed it from the library. Didn't read much before it was due back. Then bought it. and didn't read much more... and had on my bookshelf for like 10+ years and, yes, you guessed it, didn't read. It's so fat. And daunting. Then I noticed that the Audible version was read by the man himself. And I know he's from Maine. I was missing someone who has a Maine accent and thought it'd be nice to listen to for so many reasons. Including the fact that I like books read by the actual authors. So I thought this would be a much easier way to finally read this book so very many people have raved about. It totally was. I think I started it in February and finished in March. Which sounds like a long time, but compared to the 10+ years of earlier procrastination, it wasn't. I listened while brushing my teeth and doing house work and finally "read" the book. Whew! I'm glad I did.

It was a very interesting and entertaining book. I guess I'd read enough summaries of the writing tips part of it (to compensate for not actually having read it before) that I had already gleaned most of the writing tips. So those weren't news. But hearing about his near death experience and talking about his wife, life, brother, and his whole writing journey in his own voice was really cool for me. Maybe in ten years I'll listen again. I "own" the audio version of it now, so, God willing, I'll still be around and can do so.

I remember reading that there's someone here at WDC who reads this book every year. Hats off to that person! I don't see me doing that but I did enjoy the book and the bonus material. Hearing him interact with his son was interesting too (in the bonus interview).

Definitely, I think most writers would enjoy this book, as long as some off color language and stories aren't a deal breaker. He's very "real." His real is a bit different from mine, but I live a kind of Pollyanna lifestyle.



(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Stephen... )