On Writing: What is On Writing

Matthew Erbst

6/27/11

English AP

Number 4!

On Writing: What is On Writing

On Writing is an informative, funny, fantastic book, yet as I reflect back upon On Writing, I am perplexed on what this book actually is. There are many things I could call it, but none of them would seem quite correct.

If one looks at the cover, they will see A Memoir Of The Craft. Yet On Writing is not a memoir, at least not completely. Yes, two-thirds of the book is autobiographical, recounting humorous and saddening tales from King's long career, but these tales do not seem to be the focus of the book, at least not in a direct sense. Therefore, it is not a memoir. Is it a guide on writing? No. While there are writing tips on how to develop a story and general writing advice, it is not a guide on writing because it only gives that, tips and advice, not an actual concrete format. King ends up leaving most of the choice in the hands of the reader.

Ultimately, I would say On Writing is a written conversation with King himself (This of course relates to King's theory that writing is telepathy). Most importantly though is that in this conversation, he is not telling you what to write, nor is he teaching you how to write. What King is doing is showing you how to become a writer and urging you to do so through his own personal stories. He does not put much weight in what you write, as long as you put your soul into it and enjoy it, hard work as it may be.