Stephen King Fans discussion

Feel free to discuss King the man.

I think Steve is very down to earth and a good hearted but twisted man! And he seems like the kinda guy that you could have a couple beers with and not have to pretend to be someone else!

And we have a alot in common as far I know the way he describes himself and Ive heard a thousand time that hey you look like Stephen King!lol

Could be worse theres worse people to resemble!

I love his books. But did you know he had a pretty tough life. Well he was fat for one, and he smoked ( he quit BTW). He wrote Thinner because he lost all that weight. Which he thought was hell. And he wondered what would it be like to just loose weight uncontrolably. Then he got hit by a car and almost died. Yeah he's a tough man that's for sure. Love him for that.

His life was tougher than hat little man he battled the demon known as cocaine mean fucking stuff!And he was a alcholic he dont even remember writing Cujo! Trust me im not judging him ive battled my own demons and know its tough

I watched most of that biography episode that was on TV not too long ago. I didn't realize it was that much of a rags-to-riches story, although I think I do remembering reading somewhere how some of his odd jobs inspired his short stories.

I think SK would be an interesting person to hang out with and share a chat.

I knew he was a drinker but not coke! Wow, he's lucky to be alive! At least he's clean now right? :D

Yeah i believe he cleaned up a quite awhile ago! He talks about his battles with drugs and alcohol in the forward of one or more of his books! Not for sure which ones cant remember right now.

I didn't know there was a biography show on TV! I can't believe I missed it. What channel was it on, maybe they will rerun it.

He talks about his drug use and alcohol abuse in his book "On Writing". It's a great book, btw.

As an aspiring writer myself, this is one of my favorite books he's written. I love how he comes right out and says "this isn't a book on how to write". And then goes on to explain that it's just insight into what has worked for him. I think it's a good starting point to understand how his writing process works, and why it's been successful. I truly love it. The best thing I got from it though - a great writer is a great reader. Read, read, read.

I think what I appreciate most about King is his sense of humor. That man can make me laugh in almost all of his books. But he also doesn't take himself too seriously. I thought it was genius to put himself into one of his books, it was great!!! And I love how he writes about writers. He writes what he knows about, and I love that too.

I have read King since he started writing. You can tell when he's desperate, only drinking, drinking and coke, painkillers, depressed, whatever. His stories change. His style stays the same...perfect! He has been brutally honest about all he has been through, and it makes it so much easier to identify with him and, by proxy, his characters. I remember when I first read about he and Tabby's life while he was writing Carrie. His daughter had an ear infection, and they didn't have the money for "the pink stuff" (his phrase, love it!). The first advance came just in time. I love that he not only admits everything, but understands that's part of what makes him the writer/man he is. I don't consider myself an Annie Wilkes, but I would probably wet myself if I ever met him!!!!!!

I do not know the answers to those questions Rob.. but I do know you can find out A LOT of that information in the book he wrote called On Writing. Which I haven't read yet but it is supposed to be pretty good.

Hi Rob, I haven't read all his books yet, but my favorite book so far was written at the height of his drug problem, The Tommyknockers (1987). From what I've read, King says he doesn't even remember writing it, and it's around 750 pages long!

Rob wrote: "OK. Maybe 'On Writing' will be a good place to start. I always thought it'd be a dry read, but maybe I was wrong."

I have to agree, I think he did some of his best writing when he was on coke. Some of the stuff he wrote when he was just drinking tons, is depressing. Don't get me wrong, I would read, and probably love, anything the man ever wrote, but of course I like some better than others. I think he is talented enough, that he can write, regardless of his state of mind. What I think his drinking or drugs affected was his tone. Others have mentioned how he tends to wrap things up a bit more, be a little more careful with his main characters actual lives, since his accident, and I think that's also true. He writes as he lives.
Definitely read On Writing. Even if you never write more than e-mail, it's excellent, and not in a lecture way. In a real, having a helpful conversation way. There's the added bonus of all the personal stuff he throws in.

Alright Ron you forced me to do it, I now have On Writing on hold at the library and will be reading it soon!

I subscribe to Entertainment Magazine just for his feature. I was reading this weeks issue and he says he has a 1000 plus page book coming out in Fall 2009. I'm not sure if everyone else already knew that, but it certainly brightened my day!!!! Hooray!!!! The longer the better.

Isn't that "Under The Dome"? I heard that one is supposed to be a long one.

You know more than me! I know he usually puts out about a book a year, but knew nothing about WHAT the next one would be. I'll try to look it up. (always a hit or miss with me;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_th...

Over 1500 pages. Manuscript 19 pounds!

I saw that... I'm sure that it will be trimmed down quite a bit. Otherwise, I should start lifting weights now or I might pull something. ;)

I searched through a lot of the results, and some went as far as 1900 pages. No way they would let him publish that! I don nat have or want one, but that would be a good Kindle book!

It'd also be good if you're, say, in need of a cinder-block, or a pair of cement shoes! ;)

I read the same column in Entertainment Weekly and it does seem like he's referring to Under The Dome

Idea-Like in Misery, an author could be forced to write a book by a mafia guy! He writes it as big as possible, because he plans on tying the manuscript to the guys foot and tossing him off a bridge into the Royal river. 19 pounds is quite a foot weight!!!

Under the Dome comes out in November!

I totally agree with what Stephen King said about the Twilight author. I'm so tired of unoriginal, nonthreatening vampire stories!

I didn't hate the Twilight books but I won't read them again. The writing isn't that good, and reading the stories was like being in a teen's mind. That is the one part I enjoyed that it was a fast read, but really the vampires don't even grow teeth? What is that? King is right.

No teeth and they sparkle in the sun!

Gotta grow teeth, I agree, unless ALL of the teeth are serrated.

And what is with the falling in love with babies?

Alan wrote: "I totally agree with what Stephen King said about the Twilight author. I'm so tired of unoriginal, nonthreatening vampire stories! "

Here!Here! I was looking through a list of YA lit and every other one seemed to be about Tragic Vampires in School. Blech.

Here is a description of the season finale of Family Guy:

Sunday, May 17
FAMILY GUY (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Three Kings” – Season Finale

After Peter discovers the writing of Stephen King, he imagines his family and friends in three of King’s most famous works. First, Peter, Quagmire, Cleveland and Joe – as 12-year-olds – travel along a railroad track on a journey of self-discovery narrated by Richard Dreyfuss (guest-voicing as himself). Second, Brian is injured in a bad car crash only to be “rescued” by his “number one fan,” Stewie. Finally, Cleveland and Peter become fast friends in prison."

The whole episode was about King's books. I am not a huge family guy fan but this episode was pretty funny:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/72450/famil...

I love Family Guy, and I love King... This was a great episode!

Favorite moments:

"Hey! This would make a great story! ..... Done!"
(Paraphrasing) "Remember that story where the guy goes to the hotel and there are creepy twins and the kid talks to his finger? Wouldn't it be great to see Stewie do that? Here's The Shawshank Redemption!"

Angie wrote:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/72450/famil...
"

Not available outside the US. Typical.

I wonder why that is? Copyright issues?

I think so. It's not uncommon nowadays with streamed media. I can't listen to CMT web radio anymore either.

This is from Hulu's website:

International
For now, Hulu is a U.S. service only. That said, our intention is to make Hulu's growing content lineup available worldwide. This requires clearing the rights for each show or film in each specific geography and will take time. We're encouraged by how many content providers have already been working along these lines so that their programs can be available over the Internet to a much larger, global audience. The Hulu team is committed to making great programming available across the globe.

--

I'm guessing it's to keep bandwidth controlled, and make the experience a positive one for the US viewers who will make up the majority of viewers for the time being, but I could be wrong. I'd like them to open it up, because I would like it if my Canadian and European friends could see videos I post on my blog and FB page sometimes.

Just incase you have never heard or read this, from 2005

http://web.archive.org/web/2007101301...

The new Stephen King novella entitled Morality is featured in the July 2009 issue of Esquire magazine. The magazine should be on newsstands this week and features the Israeli model, Bar Refaeli on the cover with a temporary tattoo of the story covering her body. A scan of the cover is below…happy reading!

Here is a description of the plot:

Chad, an aspiring writer who is teaching school until he lands a publishing contract, and his wife, Nora, who is working as a home nurse for a retired minister, are like most people these days struggling financially. Nora is approached by her employer with a proposition that could make their dream of a home in Vermont a reality. But will it be worth the moral consequences?

Niiice. Almost makes me want to rip my eyes out and demand a clone of her temporary tattooed bod in braille.

When I was small my mom use to read Stephen King books outloud to me and my family, so, I have always been interested in him and have always read his books. Ive never known alot about him until recently when I began reading up on him himself...I never knew about his childhood, or his family. Its really nice to know the "author" of the books that I seem to love with a passion. I would love to set down and talk to Stephen King some day. I believe that it would really be a great gift to have such a wonderfull imagination that he carries with him. He is extremly talented and I enjoye each and every one of his books!

Very classy, Patrick! ;) LOL

Samantha - if you get a chance and would like to know more about his childhood and growing up, and what molded him into the author he is today, I highly recommend "On Writing". It's the closest he's come to an autobiography, and I think it gives great insight into "the man himself".

I don't really want to buy the magazine but I am hoping my library has a copy so I can read it there.

You could Google "On Writing by Stephen King" and click on the BOOKS option at the top... sometimes you'll run into a 'limited preview' of a book and read some of it online, free.

Have fun:
http://www.bevvincent.com/skic/back.html

Good times, Ang...thanks!

Oh...I didn't know he was publishing a short story in a magazine. I wonder if the stores have any left? :(

I don't know if this has been discussed, but I've always felt that his style and his stories shifted direction after his accident. I saw more difference then than comparing his "high" work with his "sober" work. Anyone agree? Disagree?