On Writing
by Stephen King · first published 1999
70% recommend29% neutral1% critical
Why HN recommends it
Half memoir, half craft manual, with practical advice that applies to any writing, not just fiction. The short Toolbox section and the push to read and write daily stand out; useful even if you don't like his novels.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
On Writing is both a textbook for writers and a memoir of Stephen's life and will, thus, appeal even to those who are not aspiring writers. If you've always wondered what led Steve to become a writer and how he came to be the success he is today, this will answer those questions. ([source][1]) [1]: https://stephenking.com/library/nonfiction/on_writing_a_memoir_of_the_craft.html
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2009–2026Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott, Susan Bennett
Recommended by 31 · mentioned by 3731 recommend · 37 mention31 recommend · 3731 recommend
2007–2026On Writing Well
William Zinsser
Recommended by 137 · mentioned by 170137 recommend · 170 mention137 recommend · 170137 recommend
2012–2018Endgame
Frank Brady
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
Persuaders
Anand Giridharadas
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2022–2023Shards
Bret Easton Ellis
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
Read Stephen King's "On Writing". It'll change your game, even if you don't write. http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Stephen-King/dp/0743455967
on “Jerry Seinfeld's Productivity Secret” ↗One of the best books you can find on the topic has been written by Stephen King and is called "On Writing". The first part is a small auto-biography as he states that "to understand writing you must understand what happens in the life of a writer". The second part is full of clever and useful advices, including…
on “C.S. Lewis on Writing” ↗…him speak and I respect the candid look into his life that he has given the public. I recommend to anyone who has a love for good books and especially if you have literary aspirations to give King's On Writing a chance. It's a mix between an autobiography and a lesson in the craft of writing. I recommend the audio version. While I have no plans to write stories in the future, the book is fascinating. His voice…
on “Stephen King’s Family Business” ↗Mine was "He's a she?" I knew Harper Lee was alive from listening to the excellent audiobook On Writing, authored and narrated by Stephen King. He stated his astonishment that To Kill a Mockingbird was the only novel she ever wrote, but in a manner that never conveyed her gender (that I recall, anyway).…
on “Harper Lee sues for copyright of To Kill a Mockingbird” ↗…Murakami, Marquez, Palahniuk, Eggers, Hosseni, Oates, Atwood. (Shameless plug here, you can find stories by these folk at Byliner: http://www.byliner.com ) 2. Read about writing. Some worthy books on this: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King (really!) The Practice of Writing, by David Lodge The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott Good…
on “Why I Left Medium” ↗I really enjoyed King's On Writing. I was a huge fan of his fiction as a kid and into young adulthood, and kinda grew out of it. But, I read and then listened to On Writing as an adult, and really enjoyed it both times. King is extremely…
on “Stephen King's “Everything You Need to Know About Writing Successfully”” ↗…and you characterized it as "creaky"--that's a good word for it. I have not always been the biggest Stephen King fan (as an author; growing up in Maine, I've always been a fan of King-the-person) but On Writing is an excellent book. I don't have my copy right here so I can't quote what he says about plotting (paraphrased: "try not to") but this quote from an interview with Goodreads resonates strongly with me:…
on “Revisting Neuromancer After Three Decades” ↗…contrived and fake that they just ruin the entire thought process for me. It seems like he had to make up things that related to the covenants. Is that just me? 2. For writing - I would also suggest 'On Writing' by Stephen King for this as a different take. It's probably the best 'how to write' book ever made. It's King's personal take on the theory of writing, with lessons sprinkled throughout. So good.
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗…sought out the best tome in the topic I wanted to learn more from. My reading list from the past 5 years or so: 1. Making of the atomic bomb by Richard Rhodes 2. Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman 3. On Writing by Stephen King 4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaccson 5. The Logic of Chance by Eugene Koonin 6. GEB (gave up on this one though)
on “Why books don't work (2019)” ↗…creative writing is mostly about practice -- you must read a lot, and you must write a lot -- and you can get that without paying tuition, though it certainly does take time. Just go read Stephen King's On Writing, and/or the essays and forums on Wordplayer.com: http://www.wordplayer.com/ and/or Learn Writing with Uncle Jim: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6710 and save the tuition money for…
on “Ask HN: What to do for college?” ↗Seconded. Fantastic. And I'd also recommend "On Writing" by Stephen King.
on “There Is No Handbook for Being a Writer” ↗I didn't realize this until I read "On Writing" by Stephen King (http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Stephen-King/dp/0743455967/). An excellent book about the writing process, and even though he talks about writing fiction, it applies to any writing.
on “21 Critical Life Lessons You Didn't Learn in School” ↗…words as tools to build or break bridges between people. That seems closest to what the piece is about. Finally, take my words with a grain of salt. It's your writing, after all. (P.S. Stephen King's On Writing is a great source of writing advice if you're interested.)
on “Look Into My Eyes...” ↗…review my tasks for the day. At the end of the day, I force myself to write down some observations and thoughts about the day's work in the same notebook. FWIW, I was highly influenced by Stephen King's On Writing. I used to think creativity and discipline didn't mix, but if King can write fiction with his five-hours-every-morning-come-what-may schedule then I can certainly write copy and build websites on my own…
on “Get Disciplined, Not Motivated” ↗This, I think, is what drives writers to drink. It helps them push through potentially crippling doubt in the quality of their work. Don, I'd recommend you read 'On Writing' by Stephen King, if you haven't already. It's one of the single best sources of advice for writers. Truly dynamite.
on “Why I Retired From Apple” ↗