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On Writing
- Narrated by: Stephen King
- Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
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Summary
In June of 1999, Stephen King was hit by a van while walking along the shoulder of a country road in Maine. Six operations were required to save his life and mend his broken body. When he was finally able to sit up, he immediately started writing. This book is the extraordinary result.
Critic reviews
"This is the written equivalent of Delia Smith's How To Cook. And, like British home cooking, the world of popular fiction will be better off for it." (The Times)
"Not since Dickens has a writer had so many readers by the throat.... King's imagination is vast. He knows how to engage the deepest sympathies of his readers.... It is part biography, part collection of tips for the aspiring writer. In the final chapters, King tells, in graphic details, the story of his recent accident...a bizarre and absorbing story, told brilliantly by one of the great storytellers of our time." (Guardian)
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What listeners say about On Writing
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Overall
- Blinkinmarvellous
- 13-04-13
Great personal insight
A rare thing - a modern writer, a great to many, willing to stop and reflect on his success, share his thoughts AND read it himself for the audiobook version. On Writing is part autobiography, part discourse on creative writing read engagingly by the author throughout.
Don't be put of by the autobiographical element if all you are after is creative writing tips; likewise, don't be put off by the tips if your interest lies in King's life story. The two work well together.
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24 people found this helpful
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- Kev Partner
- 27-08-12
Brilliant
I listened to this a number of times over the years before I began writing myself but have just revisited it having become an author with a few books under my belt and therefore some experience to help put King's book in context.
I don't agree with every last word he says and some of the advice on publishing is naturally dated, but this is a brilliant book and I recommend it wholeheartedly to any aspiring author. Or, in fact, any author at all.
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19 people found this helpful
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- stephen
- 28-11-13
Genius
Would you consider the audio edition of On Writing to be better than the print version?
I have both the print and the audio version and there are benefits to both. The print is useful as a quick reference guide but the audio is just a brilliant and engaging story and guide to writing
What did you like best about this story?
The insight into Stephen King's mind as well as the tips on writing. It made me want to start writing and also left me in awe at his ability to construct the perfect phrase.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
I loved reading about the ideas for his books, how one simple idea would slowly transform into a long novel.
Any additional comments?
Utterly brilliant, exactly what an audio book should be, if you are on a long journey or doing a task long tedious task you can get yourself lost in the words of Stephen King, this audio book helped a 3 hour drive up the motorway fly by.
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15 people found this helpful
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- Dr Zube
- 08-05-13
Autobiographical and a manual for writing
The narration by King himself is great, once you get used to his slightly unusual tone. This guy knows about writing and it is a fascinating insight into how King writes. I listened to this in part, a large part to be honest, to get my own writing going again. In some respects this was pretty hard as some of kings advice i struggle to see how I could follow, however many of the tips I could see myself following. The main thing is the sheer love King has for writing is so obvious throughout, and that I found very inspiring.
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12 people found this helpful
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- Alison St Pierre
- 06-11-14
Great book for "would be" writers.
The american accent grates after a while and the narration is wooden and lacks fluidity, but the content is sharp, inspirational and extremley valuable for novice writers. The pace is acceptable but so many of his tips and words of wisdom could do with a pen and paper at the ready to capture this valuable information. Perhaps audible could consider providing a summary of key points for customers who have purchased a book? This is not the first time that I have been listening to a great book whilst driving, with no opportunity to record detail and ended up frustrated at the loss of specific information that would be very useful to my personal development!!
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6 people found this helpful
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- David
- 19-05-15
Essential read for any writer
This was my first audiobook experience, and I couldn't have chosen any better. Pure magic!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Mick
- 05-05-15
Not a King fan but this is excellent
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely, this is well thought out advice from one of the most successful writers of our time.
Any additional comments?
I've not read much Stephen King but I have no hesitation in recommending this audiobook.
It provides many, many useful writing tips and advice and if you are writer you cannot fail but to gain something from it regardless of your experience level.
You only have to look at the number of writing courses and text books which quote from this text to see how valuable it is.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Andrew
- 30-03-15
Superb
Works great as a good read or a guide to writing. Everyone told me it would be great. It was actually better than that. Very, VERY useful.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Reluctant Mermaid
- 07-03-15
FANTASTIC
Essential listening / reading for any would-be writer. He's a revelation. I was expecting dark and morose, but he's a wonderful narrator and a generous author. Get it.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Earl Robinson
- 01-03-15
Memorable and Inspiring
The most memorable thing about this book was its honesty - Stephen King allows us to see through the window of his life to get a glimpse of the man and the writer. The most inspiring aspect of this book was the permission it provides to those of us who aspire to write but doubt ourselves. Stephen King, thank you. Thank you for the permission to try, permission to fail, and permission to try again. You are an inspiration.
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3 people found this helpful