K is for King. That, Stephen King. I’ve not read any of his books, but I want to. I have seen some of the movies made from his books. Even one or two of the horror movies, which I don’t usually watch.
I don’t want to read his more horror type books, but I am thinking his more fantasy type stories would be a good place to start. Specifically, the first Dark Tower book. He has another one coming out soon and hopefully I will eventually read that one, too.
So . . . I found some interviews with King online.
1) http://www.discordia19.com/main/2012/4/9/neil-gaiman-interviews-stephen-king.html I like this line from it: I never thought of myself as a horror writer. That’s what other people think. I never said jack shit about it.
2) http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/04/stephen-king-on-the-creative-process-the-state-of-fiction-and-more/237023/ In direct contrast to a lot of writing advice, he says: No. I never write ideas down. Because all you do when you write ideas down is kind of immortalize something that should go away. If they’re bad ideas, they go away on their own.
3)
Story Treasury 
A true legend! I have read a handful of his books, and whilst I’m not partial to his writing style, I can definitely appreciate his creativity and passion! And his memoir/how-to book ON WRITING should be on EVERY writer’s reading list!
J.C. Martin
A to Z Blogger
I have read that! It’s good.
I’ve never actually read anything of his either, but he is on my list 😉
hehe two of us!
i liked the shining and can’t remember the title, but the one about the great snow storm–my son has read all of mr. kings
no idea which one that is. but he is writing book 2 of the shining.
I’ve never read anything by him either – mostly because I’m scared of reading something that is defined as horror. But I’ve heard the Dark Tower series is good. Maybe I’ll add that to my growing list of books to read. I love the Meme-style image. Hilarious. He really is quite prolific
Not everything he’s written is horror. Though since he’s always called a horror writer, I suppose it might end up in the horror section.
I’ve read a few of his books, but I don’t seek them out. I did enjoy The Shining, though–and I got to visit The Stanley Hotel, which was King’s inspiration for the book!
That’s cool!
I also am a little ashamed to say I’ve never read any Stephen King, despite him being such a well respected author! The Shining was an awesome film though. Will have to get some on the list (although I have quite a little pile of unread books waiting for me already!
Never seen the Shining, I am afraid to. LOL Me too, my TBR list is huge.
I’m a wimp. I freely admit it. Seeing the trailer for The Shining when I went to the theater to see something quite different put me off seeing any of his movies, or reading his books. However, I *have* read some of his book “On Writing” — and some day I’ll get back to it to finish it. For some reason that made me start to wonder if there is anyone who gets to the end of their life thinking that they have read all the books they intended to read?
On Writing is great!!! I sincerely doubt it. There is always something new to read. If not new releases, than classics that were never read.
Start with King’s earlier stuff – The Stand, Salem’s Lot – and then move on from there, if you want. Some of his later stuff is not that great. I’m a horror/paranoraml writer now, and I love horror writers, but King is not one of my favorites.
Jolie du Pre
Precious Monsters
I am not a horror writer. The Stand does sound interesting, but I am not sure about Salem’s Lot.
I’ve seen a bunch of his movies and they’re pretty good. But haven’t actually sat down and read any of the books, I think I heard somewhere that his books are rather wordy, at least the horror books are.
I think they all are!!
I’ve seen many movies based on King’s stories and I’ve enjoyed those. The only fiction of his that I’ve read is Under the Dome. I enjoyed it for the most part but I think the ending was a bit poorly conceived as a story, but interesting from a philosophical standpoint. I’ve also read On Writing which is an excellent book about the writing craft.. I’m amazed at the number of his books that I own, but have never read.
Lee
Places I Remember
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
I’ve read On Writing, it’s really good. LOL You must read at least one of the books you own.
My favorite Steven King book is his book On Writing. I have the audio book,which he narrates. It’s excellent!
I can’t focus on audio books, but yeah, that is the only book of his I’ve read and it’s pretty damn good.
I haven’t read him either. I think it would be like that episode of Friends where the scary book gets put in the freezer. I’m such a wuss 🙂
LOL Well they are not all horror! You could start out with something non-horror, like I am planning to.
Stephen King is the reason why I write. All of his books have this uncanny ability to pull me in. Even when I put the book down, I think and dream about about the world he creates for weeks after I finish one of his books. I am currently reading 11/22/63. You should definitely read them.
Stephen King, Wow I don’t even think I could count the number of his books I have read. For those of you who have seen and liked his movies, the books are much better. And all of his stuff is not horror. Have you seen the movies The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me? Both Stephen King. His is a master at creating characters, that is why some of his books start off rather slowly, he wants to make sure you really get to know the characters. I am not a writer, but a reader and all I know is that I really enjoy reading his writing. Book I enjoyed the most: The Stand.
-Debbie
I’ve not seen either of those movies. The Stand does seem to come up more often.
I love S. King’s last quote about bad ideas going away on their own. How true. Funny thing is: I often write ideas down during the creation of a book. They seem brilliant and relevant at the time. When I get to incorporate them, the relevant thought has vanished. Hehe.
http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com
LOL I rarely write them down, but sometimes they came back on their own. Usually not though.
He’s really talented. I’ve read a bunch of his books. Horror scares me, so I haven’t read any of King’s fiction in a long time. But On Writing was excellent.
Horror scares me, too, and yeah, it was good.
Stephen King’s book on writing is amazing and well worth the read. As for the other stuff – not my style, but my sons love him.
I have heard The Gunslinger is epic
thanks for sharing a bit from his pov on notetaking
hope you are well noticed you havent entered past “K”
I’ve only read two of King’s books. Thinner, and On Writing. Thinner was a bit eerie and On Writing is a very inspirational book for writers. I think I reread certain bits of it when I need a jump. You should write an update post when you finish one of his books 😀