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Stephen King: The King of Horror [or whatever title you want]
Stephen King is a Portland, Maine, author who specializes in contemporary horror, suspense, and fantasy novels and short stories. Many of his writings have been adapted into films and television programs viewed by millions. Some of the most notable film adaptations include Carrie (1976), The Shining (1980) and It (1990). King has been acknowledged as the most influential writer of our time who has inspired countless other writers to contribute to the horror and suspense genre of written tales.
The horror genre was deemed either dead or dying by the large number of upset fans of this genus (Ess: "Where Would Horror Be Without
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His use his charaggcters or situations in the plots usually have readers reflecting upon them and relating them to current problems in society (Nevala-Lee: "The Uncanny Influence of Stephen King"). Some readers credit King for giving his protagonists inherently flawed but human traits; a quality other writers in the horror genus hadn’t attributed to their central characters in the past. King has commented on his writing style as an outcome of his father leaving him and his family under the pretense of going to buy a pack of cigarettes. His mother’s death shortly after the release of “Carrie” in 1974 led him into a deep depression and finding sustenance in alcohol. His brief embracement of alcoholism also influenced him write “Cujo,” a psychological horror novel about a rabid dog which he barely remembered writing (Leafe: "Stephen King's Real Horror Story: How the Novelist's Addiction to Drink and Drugs Nearly Killed Him"). The first novel he wrote after his depression and fall into alcoholism was “Needful Things” (Lehman-Haupt et al.: Stephen King, The Art of Fiction No.
Many authors have created science-fiction stories to warn people of the future, including Kurt Vonnegut and Stephen King. Vonnegut has written several science fiction stories using dark humor and irony to warn people of possible dystopian futures, for example the short story, 2BR02B. In the short story, Vonnegut describes a society where there are, “no prisons, no insane asylums, no cripples, no poverty, no wars, as well as conquering old age and disease”. Mr. Wehling, a soon to be a father of three, discovers the flaws in society because of his children’s birth, Mr. Wehling has to find volunteers that will sacrifice themselves for his children. On the other hand, Stephen King uses his style of suspense and horror to also warn the audience
King’s next book was called Salem’s Lot. It was sold for $500,000. He was then cast as a horror writer. Surely enough he wrote another horror novel entitled The Shining. This is one of his most famous novels-turned-movies. He later left Doubleday and went to New American Library. He chose to do this for money and also the covers of the book. He enjoyed New American Library’s covers much more and felt it appealed to readers as it did to him. King has now published over 30 novels, and has over 100 million books in circulation being read by people across the world.
“Why we Crave Horror Movies” is an essay written by the most popular horror author, who works included Carrie (1974), The Shining (1977), The Dead Zone (1979) and Misery (1987), Stephen King. The excerpt originally came from his book “Danse Macabre.” “Why we Crave Horror Movies” was originally published in Playboy Magazine in 1981. The essay was an explanation of why King felt that people craved horror movies. He goes into great detail throughout the essay and gave various reasons of he felt the way he did. While reading the first the that came to mind was the ‘target audience’ because he is speaking to a certain group of people. Then ‘logos’ because King is making a huge assumption throughout the essay, which came of very strong. Lastly, ethos’ because of the tone King sets in the essay, and ‘pathos’ because overall King has a purpose for the essay he wrote.
If somebody asked me what my favorite type of movie is I would probably say horror. I would say horror because it provides a thrill in me that no other type of movie sparks within me. When reading Stephen King’s article I realized there is more to a horror movie than just thrill, there is anticipation, and even suspense shown. In “Why We Crave Horror Movies”, Stephen King uses a mysterious tone and pathos to successfully persuade his audience of kids and adults into watching mysterious horror movies that will let you re-establish your feelings.
Stephen King said, “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They’re inside us, and sometimes, they win.” This quote sums up the arguments made in the article “Why We Crave Horror” and what King believes. Stephen King makes three correct claims saying that humans crave horror to have a peculiar sort of fun, face our fears, and reestablish our feelings of normalcy.
In every time period there is always a writers that dominates a certain genre. These individuals are masters in their fields and can evoke the deepest feeling in their readers. There are many of these writers in every generation for every genre. In the field of horror two writers should spring to everyone's mind. Edgar Allen Poe and Stephen King. Both writers have made their marks in literature for exploring the darker sides of imagination producing writings that can leave readers shaken from freight. Although both authors are from different time periods they have similarities in writing that shows their skills.
In Stephen King’s somewhat subjective essay in the 1984 Playboy magazine, Why We Crave Horror Movies, King describes his reasoning behind why so many people are fond of watching movies residing in the horror genre. The content of his essay, though inserted in an unconventional area for
“Monsters” do not have to be literal to create an enjoyable piece of horror fiction. King and Hautala are both able to create thrilling stories by utilizing fear of the unknown and exploiting
One of the most chilling horror book authors is Stephen King. King has written many classics such as “It” and “The Shining.” Stephen King’s catastrophic life helped form his career; he uses literature to engage his readers and became one of the most popular authors of the 21st century. Stephen King’s life started on September 21, 1947 in Portland, Maine.
His books have sold over three-hundred-fifty-million copies. Not only has his love for the horror genre caused his sales to flourish in the literary world, but also in film. Stephen Kings’ works have influenced the horror and thriller genres far beyond literature. They themselves have become some of the most famous examples of the genres in literature.
Stephan King is easily one of the most well-known writers in the horror genre. Often regarded as “The Master of Horror,” King’s impact on the horror genre is remarkable, and he has written both books and screenplays. Many of his works have been turned into movies, further increasing his popularity. Most people at least vaguely know who Stephen King is, but not many know his real story. In today’s time Stephen King entrances audiences and his classic books are converted into screenplays for movies.
Horror is the genre that keeps the reader on their toes for nights upon end. It keeps them thinking. Thinking about how cruel and disturbing someone, or something, could possibly be. Thinking about what in the world happens to a character after the story drops off in a cliffhanger. Thinking about the probability that the events in the narrative could transpire in real life. Thinking about how likely it is for those things to happen to the reader. Refusing to look out their window in fear of seeing the glimpse of a murderous face, and listening to every sound with acute accuracy, praying that the noise is not one of a stranger creeping up the stairs. Scary accounts make the reader live in fear whenever the
“Each life makes its own imitation of immortality.” is exactly what Stephen King, one of top selling writers in history said when quoting on his own life. As one of the most renowned and famous authors of modern history, Stephen King has published a countless and immense number of bestsellers and worldwide hits. The King of Terror Stephen Edwin King is one of today's most popular and best-selling writers. His countless number of books have circled around the homes of millions of readers who are so intrigued by some of his most famous works. His works continue to embody the minds and fears of its reader while increasingly becoming ever more popular. Stephen King is not only a figure of present history but also a household
When dealing with horror, supernatural fiction one famous author comes to mind. Stephen King known for writing classics first published legendary debut novel, Carrie, in which was later turned into two captivating films. Carrie is a horror, tragedy novel released on April 5th, 1974 which was set in the future year of 1979. Then around 2013, director Kimberly Peirce decided to remake Carrie pulling more influences from the novel, than to its older remake by De Palma in 1976. Though the film is very accurately close to the novel itself.
Most readers identify Stephen King’s works as horror, however, he sees them as suspense novels (“Stephen King interview on Charlie Rose (1993)”). Stephen King is affiliated with the horror genre because of his excessive use of gore in his novels. However, gore is merely a side agenda that helps King shape his ideas. Instead, King’s main goal is to create suspense. By creating a vivid image of the impact of a murder, rape, or other catastrophe he can further his goal by unnerving his reader and creating a conflict. Stephen King’s extensive and creative use of the pitting of good vs evil, foreshadowing, imagery, and supernatural occurrences makes a more suspenseful novel.