I feel like cutting in on Rachel’s dance with Stephen King.  May I, please?  I just want to sashay for a moment.  That’s all.  (Actually, cue the disco ball.) Whether you like to get your creep on or not, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is well worth the read.  I do not exaggerate when I say that it’s thoroughly fascinating.  Indeed, it will make you a better writer; in fact, it has become the most popular book about writing ever written.  Writing tips aside, On Writing is keenly interesting because it chronicles King’s rise to fame.  He’s published more than 50 best-selling novels—at times, he did this against addictive odds.  

King doesn’t consider writing a chore—he finds joy in his craft.  His enthusiasm will inevitably find its way into your head.  And even if you don’t aspire to put pen to page, your curiosity will be piqued.  A supernatural force may possess you to the point of unwittingly purchasing a King novel.  After that, you’ll undoubtedly be entranced.  

Remember this fact: the master of the macabre did craft non-frightening stories as well.  It’s the softer side of King that has me rapt.  I’m told The Running Man is particularly good.  The Green Mile and The Body (filmed under the title Stand By Me) both made it onto the silver screen, which speaks volumes about well, these volumes.  My favorite, hands-down, is Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. King’s writing is exquisite. For me, it’s hard not to feel enchanted by a novella with the subtitle Hope Springs Eternal. If you can handle some of the awful scenarios prison-life promotes, you’ll be grateful for the reminder that, “hope is a good thing…maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

Posted by Tracy