Stephen King
Stephen King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy. He is one of the best-selling writers of all time, and many of his novels have been adapted into films and television series.
Early Life
King was born in 1947 in Portland, Maine, and grew up in modest circumstances. He was interested in horror and science fiction from an early age.
He studied English at the University of Maine and worked as a teacher. He wrote short stories for magazines and worked on his first novel.
His first novel, Carrie, was published in 1974 and was a success. He became a full-time writer.
The Major Novels
King's novels include Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, and It. The Shining was adapted into a film by Stanley Kubrick.
The Dark Tower series is a sequence of novels that combines fantasy, science fiction, and Western elements. The series is regarded as his magnum opus.
He has written a number of novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The novels were published before his identity was revealed.
The Adaptations
Many of King's novels and stories have been adapted for film and television. The films include Carrie, The Shining, Stand by Me, and The Shawshank Redemption.
The television series include The Stand and Castle Rock. The adaptations have been commercially and critically successful.
King has appeared in cameo roles in many of the adaptations. He has also written screenplays and directed films.
The Writing Method
King writes quickly and produces a large amount of work. He writes every day and aims for a daily word count.
He has written a book on the craft of writing, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. The book combines advice on writing with autobiography.
He has been open about his struggles with alcohol and with drugs. He has been sober since the late 1980s.
The Personal Life and the Accident
King is married to the novelist Tabitha King. They have three children, two of whom are also writers.
He was hit by a van and seriously injured in 1999. He recovered and continued to write.
He has been a philanthropist and has supported libraries and literacy programmes. He has donated to the Democratic Party and to various causes.
Legacy
King is one of the best-selling authors of all time. His influence on the horror genre and on popular culture is immense.
He has received numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the Bram Stoker Award. He has been honoured by the National Book Foundation for his contribution to American letters.
He is remembered for his storytelling and for his imagination. His work continues to be read and to be adapted.
The Early Novels
King's first novel, Carrie, was published in 1974. The novel was a success and was adapted into a film.
He followed it with Salem's Lot and The Shining. The novels established him as a master of horror.
He wrote a number of novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The novels include Thinner and The Running Man.
The Dark Tower Series
The Dark Tower series is a sequence of novels that combines fantasy, science fiction, and Western elements. The series is regarded as his magnum opus.
The series includes The Gunslinger, The Drawing of the Three, and The Waste Lands. The novels follow the quest of the gunslinger Roland Deschain.
The series connects to many of his other works. The connections form a shared universe.
The Writing Method
King writes quickly and produces a large amount of work. He writes every day and aims for a daily word count.
He has written a book on the craft of writing, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. The book combines advice on writing with autobiography.
He has been open about his struggles with alcohol and with drugs. He has been sober since the late 1980s.
The Personal Life
King is married to the novelist Tabitha King. They have three children, two of whom are also writers.
He was hit by a van and seriously injured in 1999. He recovered and continued to write.
He has been a philanthropist and has supported libraries and literacy programmes. He has donated to the Democratic Party and to various causes.
The Awards
King has received numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the Bram Stoker Award. He has been honoured by the National Book Foundation for his contribution to American letters.
He has received the World Fantasy Award and the O. Henry Award. He has been named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.
He is one of the best-selling authors of all time. His work has had a profound influence on the horror genre and on popular culture.
See also
- Horror fiction
- The Shining
References
- ↑ Rogak, Lisa. Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2008.
- ↑ King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York: Scribner, 2000.
- ↑ Beahm, George. The Stephen King Companion. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1995.
- ↑ Winter, Douglas. Stephen King: The Art of Darkness. New York: New American Library, 1984.