:On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

Recently my mom was out of town and I was helping my dad pack for a press trip to promote his latest movie. He was packing a Hartman Classic Herringbone suitcase so large I can only imagine it was what people used to check to set sail on the QE2. Talk about overboard, he not only had one leather toiletry kit but a second one filled with large bottles of shampoo and mouthwash. “They make these in travel sizes now, you know?” I said. (Jeff and I only travel with carry-on luggage. Always.) But my dad was not deterred and continued pitching things into the giant suitcase. As I started to help organize the cargo, I saw a book: “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King. I don’t like scary books so I have only ever read one of King’s books, and this was it. This book is life changing. I know that is an odd word to use to describe a slender book about writing, but I think it is the appropriate word. Published in 2000, this was the first book King wrote after a Dodge Caravan hit him while he was walking along Maine State Route 5 near his summer home in 1999. After the near-fatal accident, King found himself unable to write. How unusual that such a prolific writer had to start at the beginning and teach himself to write again, and thankfully he felt compelled to share this re-learning process with others. He uses his past experiences (such as his alcohol and cocaine use) to teach himself to not only write again but also live again. As I zipped up my dad’s suitcase, I told him I highly approved of the King book he was packing. And then my dad said, “Wait, one more thing for the suitcase.” He tossed in a large bear claw back scratcher suitable for basketball player Draymond Green. “Do you really need this?” He nodded affirmatively, “You never know when you might need a big back scratcher on a press tour.” So whether you pack a big suitcase or swear by carry on, consider packing Stephen King’s “On Writing,” and travel with the author down a wonderful road back to life. To purchase this book on Amazon click here.