Years ago, I attended a writing workshop at a prestigious Liberal Arts college. A group of us were discussing our favorite authors. One whispered that he liked Stephen King and then warned us about saying his name aloud, since the instructors and a lot of the workshop attendees did not consider King a "real writer."
What do you think? Do you like Stephen King or not?
[question posted by KATRINKA]
responses and comments:
King is a literay GOD! The instructors are just jealous, I've read many authors and they all pale next to King. [madmax2crazy]
What are your favorites by King? {whispering} I think he is a fantastic storyteller. His novel, IT, scared me. I couldn't read it after dark. If a writer can do that, then he's doing something right. I also loved "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" and "The Body." I felt both movies made from those were successful. I think his stories translate well into films. I did try to read Insomnia, but I couldn't get into it. The same with the movie. Are there any stories by King you didn't like? [KATRINKA]
Aww...I think that's unfair. I think Stephen King is a great writer. He writes stories that people like to read. They are engaging and interesting. I get that horror/fantasy isn't everyones thing, but I don't think it's fair to judge his wrting ability on that....but everyone is entitle to their opinion :-) I think my favorites are The Stand, and The Dark Tower series. My boyfriend is a Dark Tower nut, so he got me into reading those. The Stand was the first book I read that really freaked me out. I re-read it not that long ago, and really enjoyed it. [twilight021]
I like how King cross-pollinates his characters and locales in his stories. It's like being in on a private joke (or whatever) whenever I come across a reference. I've been doing it with my own stories as well. [KATRINKA]
I enjoy reading Stephen King a lot, but I know a lot of those academic types don't think he is a real writer. Just look at his record of being a bestselling author and his legions of fans and that says it all. [shopgirl]
I think if a writer can develop a loyal following, then that writer has been successful. [KATRINKA]
I have to agree that the instructors were jealous. Or possibly they just didn't like King's style. But for whatever reason, they shouldn't try to put him down! He is an excellent writer and storyteller, and I refuse to whisper it!! LOL I did read Insomnia, and I liked it, but my daughter, who is a big Stephen King fan, didn't like it, and went on to read Leesy. She named her new Boston Terrier puppy after that one!! [Trinka26]
Cute! Glad I'm not the only one who names her pets after fictional characters. I've named two of my cats Gatsby and Daisy after the main characters in Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY. [KATRINKA]
I like Stephen Kings books. He had about a 105 books turn into movies or mini series I think he is a great writer or should I say story teller because his books tend to grab you and pull you in like your almost there he is that good of a writer. I can honestly say that some of his books scared me to death and gave me nightmares but I finished them anyhow because they were that good and it would have been a sin not to have finished. I consider King a real writer he is way better then some of the junk that is being printed out now days. As some of the others already said they are just jealous because he is famous and they are not . My door will be always open to a stepen king book. Nothing like getting the crap scared out of you before bed time..lol [mtdewgurl74]
I didn't know it was that many stories that were translated for the screen! I'm green with envy. Do you happen to know the total number of books he has published? [KATRINKA]
I adore Stephen King, so obviously, I think he's a "real writer". I love how he has such an ordinary, conversational style that can take the most ordinary things, and the most ordinary people, and then rip aside the mask and show the dark and twisted and very frightening face underneath. To do that, and make it believable, is a gift, and I've spent many hours scared out of my little mind by Stephen King! I'm not sure how the instructors/workshop attendees could say he's not a "real writer" - and I'm sure their opinion really bothers him when he's cashing his royalty cheques! :) [ShirleyAnn66]
I also enjoy his writing voice. It has an accessible, conversational style, and sometimes his word choices make me giggle. [KATRINKA]
How the hell could anybody say that Stephen King isn't a real writer? He's absolutely brilliant, the Master of his genre. One of my bookcases is three quarters full of his books, the only reason its not full is because I'm waiting for him to write more! I was really worried when he had that accident, because at that stage he hadn't finished his Dark Tower series. I like many others have been following the tale for decades! [muscare]
in todays world popular authors are seen as low brow whether they are or not. King in my opinion, is a class act, its just a pity that many of his films (the horror ones mainly) fall short. [steerpyke]
In the beginning I like Stephen King. I loved the way he wrote. A great page turner every time. I really enjoyed his work. I have read a couple of his recent books and I was a bit disappointed. His style seems to have changed. It didn't have the same sitting on the edge of your seat till you turned the page. Until recently I found him well written, a master in his field. Lately, I think he has lost the plot. [spiritwolf52]
I love King's work. I have read everything he has every written. I am ashamed to admit this but when he was in his accident, my first thought, I was worried that he would never finish the Dark Tower Series. The first novel I ever read was when I was 8 and it was a King book. I have been a fan ever since. [Erilyn]
I'm sure many felt the same way when he got into his accident. Do you think his writing has changed at all since the accident? Months after his accident, the New Yorker published an essay by him. It was something like 10000 words, and I felt as if I had gone through it with him. Do you remember which King novel you read when you were eight? Were you scared at all? [KATRINKA]
The Stand is one of the greatest books of all time. I don't see how they could not consider King to be a real writer, considering how many best sellers he has written and how many of his books have been made into movies. I'm not a writer, so I couldn't say if his actual style and such is what the prestigious Arts people are upset with, but as a reader, I would say that if the writing is compelling and appeals to a large audience, then he is an excellent author. [rubyming]
I think Stephen King is a greatly under-rated writer. I have to say that I wasn't initially a fan, and got in to his writing through his short stories, which I still prefer to his novels. Having said that, 'The Stand', 'The Shining' and 'Salem's Lot' are my favourites of his novels. Amongst his short stories and novellas there are some absolute gems. It often comes as a surprise to people, for example, that he's had three of his non-horror novellas adapted in to films, and they're all in the same book called 'Different Seasons'. The films made from this book are 'The Shawshank Redemption', 'Stand By Me' and 'Apt Pupil'. The first two are excellent films, the last one a little disappointing - but not a bad output from ONE collection of 4 novellas! Amongst his short stories there are some beauties. A Sherlock Holmes 'homage', a Cthulu Mythos tale, some heart-breaking stories about family life. I recommend his book 'On Writing' to anyone who wants to get going on their writing, and have to say that he has greatly influenced my own writing. [steelmoggy]
I haven't read either of the latter two titles you mentioned. Have you read THE DIARY OF ELLEN RIMBAUER, MY LIFE AT ROSE RED? I think it was initially marketed as a nonfiction book. I kept saying as I read, this can't be true. This couldn't have happened. Yet I wanted to believe that it was true. There were even "sources" cited. Then later I found out it was fictional, and Stephen King helped write it. I was angry with being duped, but then I thought, what great marketing! I never got to watch Rose Red when it was on television. [KATRINKA]
I think he's a great writer, but I really have a hard time with all that morbid stuff anymore. [browneyedgirl]
Sounds like the seminar leaders were maybe a bit jealous. I think Stephen Kings use of the English language is nothing short of Leonardo da Vinci's use of paint. In fact I am not particularly fond of the dark subject matter King is known for but I have read almost everything he ever wrote just hoping I could absorb some of his skill with words and plot. I love his work. Also, have you ever read the Bachman Books - a collection King wrote under another name (not to be confused with the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull). [kbkbooks]
I love Stephen King. He is a great writer and so many of his books (if not all) have been turned into movies. [raeleighb]
I have enjoyed reading Stephen King (and Bachman) books since my teen years! Now I don't profess to know anything about writing, so I cannot judge him as a writer would judge him, but I know that his books are awesome! My particular favorite book is 'Misery.' Of course it was about a nurse...go figure! Ha! [crazynurse]
i don't know anything about Stephen King,but want to know,can you tell me???? [junior07]
I like Stephen King. I think he writes great books. I would read one of his books any day. He has a way of keeping you interested through the whole book. I've read books by other authors where I'm bored by the middle of the book but King's books aren't like that. [sweetgirl_k1]
I love Stephen King he is a very good author I have read many of his books but I do love his movies better. My favorite movies are IT and Pet Semateiry, not sure how to spell that one. [hoghoney]
I do not personally enjoy his full length books, they become long-winded and muddled with useless moments. His short stories are more bearable. However, I really did enjoy and like his non-fiction book about the actual craft of writing. He seems to break his won rules that he teaches about, but his book is quite good. So I am not a fan, but he must be doing something right to have been s popular. [ArsonCuff]
Stephen King ... not a "real writer" ... are you kidding me ?!? That man is the best author out there. His books are amazing, intense, and suspenseful. He is a literary genius, and as far as I'm concerned none compares to him. [PurpleTeddyBear]
Let me guess...you're a fan? :giggle: I love your icon! [KATRINKA]
I love Stephen King and he is a real writer. I wonder why they would not consider him a real writer? Stephen King and Dean Koontz are my most favorite authors. I have an imagination quite like both of them and have written some short horror stories. I even wrote a letter to Dean Koontz once and received a response from him. Of course I don't really know for sure if it was actually him that wrote it but he signed it at the bottom. My brother got me hooked on Stephen King before he died when I was about 12 years old and I'm now 26 and I have read just about every book I could get my hands on written by him. I think him and Dean Koontz are the best horror writers ever. I have also enjoyed the movies that were made from his books but I do have to say the books are always better than the movie. :) [cwilson26]
I liked his work when I was younger... Today it seems kind of quaint and formulaic when you take a good long look at it... Still good, but it's like a familiar drive down a well-known road... Christine and Needful Things made awful books but great movies and IT and The Stand were the reverse... I think that there is a pitfall in getting your work made into movies in that it starts to leave "holes" sort of, in your novel scripting, this is all my opinion of course, because ,"nothing succeeds like success" and his formula has spawned some of todays excellent horror films... [peaceful]
And considering all the money King makes, maybe he doesn't care about how good the films are. I don't know how much input he has in the film productions. Anne Tyler (I think it was she) said that she considered her novels and the film versions as two separate entitities, rather than the film being "based on..." If it were me, I'm not sure how I would feel. I'd want the film version to be a good representative of my story, and for those who haven't read the book first, I'd want them to feel compelled to buy it. [KATRINKA]
The attitude of the instructors is not surprising. Ridiculous but not surprising. Walt whitman suffered that fate in his lifetime. considered a raw, self taught upstart with no place in "letters". Edgar Allan Poe was considered outright trash in his time-in this country. Not because of the drugs or the marriage-because of the magazine serial. Lit-rah-chaw is so rife with snobs, that its very hard on writers. King does all the right things- his characters are warm, and engaging, his plots always begin in a plausible setting, he employs a natural humor in character with his time-place setting and his main characters. He brings in the supernatural in a manner that allows for the suspension of disbelief- he is technically brilliant and imaginative- he does generate the thrills and chills- and he concludes his work with every loose end gathered neatly up. I too noticed a weariness in his work after the accident. I think his ability to suspend disbelief in the srank stupid brutality of the human race was exhausted. In a simple phrase, he lost heart. Now is there not a book out by his son? I need to track this down. [arcadian]
I have liked Stephen King since I was a teenager or ever since I started watching horror movies and reading horror books he is one of my favorites. [Shaun72]
well the man finds his son who went missing but he was half crazy by the time he found him and then. There was a man that was trying to take control over everyone that had cell phones but somehow the main two charcters took care of him. I can't remember all of the ending I sold it right after I read it/ [Shaun72]
I like Stephen King. I haven't read anything from him in years though. When I was a teen it was all I would read! I don't see why they wouldn't like him. They might not like the topics of his books, but that isnt a reason to badmouth him. I liked his early works, Christine, Pet Semetary, Cujo, Tommyknockers, The Stand. My dad has Cell, I should give it a shot when I stay at his house over the summer. [4cuteboys]
Let me know what you think of Cell when you read it. Have you read Hearts in Atlantis? I was going through some of my old articles to post on my new website, and in one of them, I deconstructed the plot. He was genius in writing converging points of view. [KATRINKA]
As a teen I read some of IT, I get distracted easily and never finished it. I read Desperation when it came out and I liked it. For a long time whenever I'd go into a book store I would look for The Gunslinger and I never found it so I'd buy something else and forget about it by the time I got home and never order it online. Then one day I was in a local store and surprisingly in their little book section they had it. I'm currently on book four of the Dark Tower series and when I finish this up I plan on reading The Stand and possibly The Eyes of The Dragon after that. So yes, I am a fan. [coachflaps]
I've never read the Dark Tower series, but I do have 4 of the books. I may eventually get to it. [KATRINKA]