Communication

On Writing: 8 key ideas

by Stephen King

The core ideas of On Writing, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 8

   A writer shares his craft

   King combines memories of his life with practical lessons on writing fiction.

   He describes his childhood, early rejections and struggles before success. In his account, the book shows how his own experiences shaped the way he thinks about stories.

2. IDEA 2 OF 8

   Writers need a toolbox

   King compares the writer's skills to a toolbox, with vocabulary and grammar on the top shelf.

   Writers should carry their tools everywhere. In his view, a writer who builds these skills over time has more to draw on when the work gets hard.

3. IDEA 3 OF 8

   Reading and writing are essential

   King argues that the two essential habits of writers are reading widely and writing every day.

   There is, he says, no shortcut. In his account, these habits teach by example how others solve problems and build the writer's own feel for language.

4. IDEA 4 OF 8

   Plain words work best

   King advises using the first, natural word rather than reaching for fancy vocabulary.

   In his account, simple words usually carry meaning better, because showy language can make the writer sound unsure. Readers notice when a writer tries too hard.

5. IDEA 5 OF 8

   Avoid too many adverbs

   King warns that piling on adverbs weakens writing.

   Strong verbs are better. In his view, a good verb does the work in a sentence, while extra describing words often show that the writer does not trust the verb.

6. IDEA 6 OF 8

   Draft privately first

   King describes writing the first draft with the door closed, alone, and revising with the door open, thinking of readers.

   In his account, the first stage is for freedom, and the second is for shaping the story with the audience in mind.

7. IDEA 7 OF 8

   Cut in revision

   King describes trimming his drafts significantly in the second version.

   Cutting makes stories tighter. In his view, a second version that is shorter than the first often reads better, since everything left in has to earn its place.

8. IDEA 8 OF 8

   Writing helped him recover

   King describes being hit by a van in 1999 and how writing helped him recover.

   In his account, returning to work gave him a sense of purpose. He presents writing as part of his life, not something apart from it.