Why Every Aspiring Writer Should Read Stephen King's On Writing

How On Writing helped me get started on my first book and how it can help you get started on your writing projects too.

Writing a book is like running a marathon—equal parts exhilarating, exhausting, and deeply personal. When I set out to write my first book, The Punch Yourself In The Face Economy, I knew I needed more than just an idea. I needed discipline, structure, and most of all, confidence. That’s where On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King came in.

Part memoir, part masterclass, this book became my go-to guide throughout my writing process. Whether you’re drafting your first novel, a memoir, or even a blog, On Writing is packed with invaluable insights that can transform the way you approach storytelling.

The Best Writing Advice Comes from Writers Who Write

What sets On Writing apart from other craft books is that it’s written by someone who has spent a lifetime telling stories. Stephen King doesn’t just theorize about writing—he does it, and he does it well. His advice isn’t academic fluff; it’s battle-tested wisdom from a bestselling author who’s been through the highs and lows of the writing life.

His perspective resonated with me because he doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Writing is hard work, rejection is inevitable, and success doesn’t happen overnight. But if you keep at it, trust your instincts, and put in the hours, you’ll get better. That was the push I needed to stop overthinking and start writing.

Lessons from King That Changed My Writing Process

1. Read a Lot, Write a Lot

King’s philosophy is simple: good writers are also great readers. Before I committed to my book, I wasn’t reading nearly enough. I’d skim articles online and listen to podcasts, but I wasn’t absorbing full-length works in a way that improved my craft. After reading On Writing, I made a point to read every day, paying close attention to style, structure, and rhythm.

2. Kill Your Darlings

One of King’s most famous pieces of advice is to be ruthless in editing. “Kill your darlings” means cutting anything—no matter how much you love it—that doesn’t serve the story. This was a game-changer for me. When writing The Punch Yourself In The Face Economy, I had to let go of entire sections I was attached to because they didn’t move the narrative forward. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.

3. Writing is Telepathy

King describes writing as a form of time travel. When you write, you’re placing thoughts into your reader’s mind, sometimes years after the words were put on paper. This idea made me more mindful of my audience. Instead of over-explaining, I trusted my readers to connect the dots, making my prose tighter and more engaging.

4. Routine is Everything

King writes every single day. While I couldn’t commit to his 2,000-word daily target, I did establish a routine that worked for me. Having a dedicated writing schedule helped me avoid the trap of waiting for inspiration—it made writing a habit, not just an idea.

The Book That Got Me to the Finish Line

There were times when I wanted to quit. When the self-doubt crept in, when the words weren’t flowing, or when I convinced myself no one would care about what I had to say. But then I’d flip through On Writing and be reminded that every writer faces these struggles. If King could push through rejection, self-doubt, and even a near-fatal accident to keep writing, then so could I.

If you’re an aspiring writer, consider this book your roadmap. It won’t write your book for you, but it will give you the tools, motivation, and mindset to get it done.

Because at the end of the day, as King says, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

So, what are you waiting for?