Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.

Stephen King wrote On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft because of something he heard from his friend and fellow novelist Amy Tan. Tan pointed out that no one asked popular novelists about language. King responds to this unasked question in this book dedicated to Tan. Writers looking for inspiration for their craft may or may not find it here. Writers who need a no-nonsense kick in the pants to jump start their work need this book.

King preaches the basics of writing including the importance of Strunk and White’s Elements of Style and incessant reading and writing. Place your writing desk in the corner of the room, King advises, so that you remember that art is made to support your life rather than life supporting your art. The book offers punchy and practical advice that does not beat around the bush. For instance, King writes, “I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs.” This clarity and forcefulness helps potential writers as does King’s enthusiastic emphasis on persistance and honesty when writing.

King gives a glimpse at the ups and downs of his personal writing journey. The book begins and ends in memoir. King writes about his reliance on others. His wife, Tabitha, rescues Carrie from nonexistence by pulling it out of the wastebasket after King throws it away. He also recounts his regrets with substance abuse. These testimonials give a picture of what writing was like for King—sometimes cumbersome, sometimes forgotten, sometimes joyous.

King also advocates for the popular (or genre) writer. Yes, T.S Elliot and Faulkner are mentioned as examples of good writing. But right alongside them and mentioned more often are popular pulp fictions writers such as Elmore Leonard. These examples help value such works and help recognize good writing in all spheres. In doing this, King also empowers beginning writers to writes what they know, and, most importantly, to write in the spirit of getting it done. Writing takes work, and writers get their work done.