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This Is Stephen King's World, We're Just Living in It

The life and work of the legendary "King of Horror"

By Alesia BrooksPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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The King of Horror

In the world of horror and supernatural fiction, there are few names that are as well known as Stephen King. Described as the “King of Horror”, the legendary author has crafted parallel universes that have drawn people from all walks of life to explore his work. King has written 61 novels so far and sold an estimated 350 million books. In addition to his impressive repertoire of novels, King has published a number of short story collections and has had dozens of his novels and stories adapted for film and television.

But let’s take a step back. Aside from his professional accomplishments, what do you really know about Stephen King? Well, born in Portland, Maine on September 21, 1947, King was raised the majority of his childhood with a single mother after his father had left when he was just two-years-old. Another defining moment in his life would occur at four-years-old. King’s mother allowed him to play with his friend, but when he returned just an hour later, alone and in total shock, it raised a red flag. It was later discovered that King’s friend was struck and killed by a train, with young Stephen likely a witness. He has no recollection of this event, but used it as the inspiration for his novel “The Body” which would later be used as the basis for the movie “Stand by Me”.

As far as what inspired him to become an author, King credits the fiction great, H.P. Lovecraft. He recalled finding a book in his attic as a child, likely left behind by his father. It was a short story compilation by Lovecraft and when he read it he “knew he had found home” he said in a 2009 interview.

King studied English at the University of Maine, where he met his wife. Holding a variety of odd jobs to support himself through his education, he still made time for writing, becoming a contributor for the student newspaper “The Maine Campus”. He graduated in 1970, having his first child that same year. After graduating with a teaching certificate, King entered a tumultuous time in his life. Struggling to pay the bills he sold short stories to magazines and had a brief run in with the law, being slapped with a fine of $100 for petty larceny after stealing traffic cones that had damaged his cars muffler.

King circa the 1980's

The first novel of King’s to be published was “Carrie” released in 1974. Arguably, the story would’ve never seen the light of day if it wasn’t for King’s wife, Tabitha. After writing the first few pages, King threw it in the trash, only for it to be fished out by Tabitha. She encouraged him to finish the story, helping him overcome the hurdle of understanding the female perspective. The paperback rights were eventually sold for $400,000, the equivalent to roughly $2.2 million today.

However, King’s rise to greatness wasn’t without struggles. By the late 1970’s, he had a growing alcohol problem, which would also give way to a cocaine addiction. Many of his earlier works, he admits, were written during these substance-fueled hazes. These hazes also produced one of his most critically acclaimed novels - and he can’t even remember writing it. "Cujo" was released in 1981 and tells the story of a dog bitten by a rabies infected bat, and unbeknown to his owners, slowly turns from loveable family pet to horrifying and gruesome killer. King uses the dog as a metaphor to describe the feeling of becoming someone unrecognizable due to the infection, that for him, was addiction.

His first book published after overcoming his addiction was “Needful Things”. The 1991 novel tells the story of Leland Gaunt. A new transplant to the fictional town of Castlerock, Maine, he opens an antique shop with a strange twist. King credits his wife and family for urging him to sober up, claiming his wife told him to get sober or get out of the house. He has remained sober since the late 1980’s calling himself “a man with no hangovers.”

Speaking personally, King’s life is a testament to the ability to overcome. I find myself relating to King on a personal level, having been raised in a single parent household, going on to work odd and demeaning jobs just to keep afloat in young adulthood. Not only does he serve as a professional inspiration as a horror enthusiast and writer, but a personal one as I find the strength to get through the difficult parts of life. Of his work, my personal favorite is a 2015 short fiction collection, the tenth in his series of collections. “The Bazaar of Bad Dreams” compiles some of his most interesting and entertaining works, in my humble opinion. While I enjoy a good novel, his short stories are the best way to get a quick fix of weird and scary just as I settle in for bed.

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King

King’s ability to create stories is reason enough to earn him a spot in horror history, but he goes a step further and creates an entire universe where the rules we’ve come to know no longer apply. Escaping the mundane is a large part of why there is such intrigue in the horror and supernatural genres and King’s ability to play into peoples want to break out of the physical world is what earns him the title of “The King of Horror”. Disturbingly specific details and his capability to create seamless conversation in his stories keep him living rent free in the minds and hearts of millions.

King’s writing has the astounding ability to transcend time. His impressive resume for novels, collections, film adaptations and screenplays keeps on growing each year. At 73, King shows no sign of slowing down, keeping active not only in his work as an author, but as a philanthropist, political activist and father to three. His novels and creative work continue to build on a world King has created for any and everyone who has ever felt too weird to fit into this one.

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About the Creator

Alesia Brooks

Disney blogger with a dark side

24-year-old writer and photographer

Follow along with my misadventures - IG: @livinglikealesia

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