On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King began composing On Writing in 1997. After completing the "C.V." and "Toolbox" sections, he set aside the manuscript in February or March 1998, explaining in the final section of On Writing that he was uncertain how or whether he should proceed with it. In June 1999, he reread the uncompleted draft and became determined to finish it. On June 19, 1999, King was hit by a van while walking along Maine State Route 5. He subsequently struggled to return to writing, uncertain whether he could publish another novel. In an interview with NBC, he said: "After the accident, I was totally incapable of writing. At first it was as if I'd never done this in my life. ... It was like starting over again from square one." In the final section of On Writing, "On Living: A Postscript", King reflects on the accident and his return to writing, stating "Things have continued to get better." == Summary ==

On Writing is divided into five sections, each with a different focus. Although the first section, "C.V." narrates his life, King said that it is not an autobiography, but more a curriculum vitae, owing to the sporadic nature of his memories. It discusses events in King's life that contributed to his development as a writer, such as his early exposure to writing, his early attempts to be published, his relationship with his wife, his mother's death, and his history of drug and alcohol abuse. In the second section, "What Writing Is", King compares writing to telepathy. He briefly reintroduces himself and includes an example of literary description. He urges the reader to take writing and his advice seriously. The third section, "Toolbox", discusses English mechanics and the importance of vocabulary, grammar and style in writing. The fourth section, "On Writing", details King's advice on the art of writing. The fifth section, "On Living: A Postscript", discusses the accident in 1999 where King was struck by a van while walking down Maine State Route 5. The book's United Kingdom paperback edition concludes with "Jumper", a short story by Garret Adams that won the On Writing competition. == Reception ==

In 2008, Entertainment Weekly listed On Writing 21st on their list of "The New Classics: Books – The 100 best reads from 1983 to 2008". == References ==

• 2000: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (read by Stephen King), Simon & Schuster Audioworks, ==External links==