View Full Version : Stephen King On Writing


tablariddim
11-04-01, 01:51 PM
For all you aspiring novelists out there, I heartily recommend this book. Very inspiring, very educational.

I am now reading Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling, which I bought to see what all the fuss is about (on King's recommendation of the Author). Though it's not the sort of thing I'm prone to reading and bearing in mind that it's meant for children, I can honestly say that it is actually very good--reminds me of a sort of more sophisticated present day Enid Blyton 'Five' novel without the racist slurs.

I think when I finish it I will go re-edit my own finished novel for the umpteenth time and put some of my new-found knowledge to use. And then.. I really want to start writing another; I told you--inspiring!

Banshee
11-29-01, 02:40 PM
Tablariddim, I have every book written by Stephen King.

Got the Black House just yesterday...:)

Great writer he is, really. If I read his books, I see it happen before my eyes, right away. Wonderful.

I think the Green Mile is one of the most good movies which are made based on a book written by S. King.

Do you have the books he wrote about the Dark Tower?
That is a nice couple of books. It is a pity he waits so long, writing the following one on this particular four books about one and the same story.;)

Talk to you later...

tablariddim
11-29-01, 04:26 PM
Funnily enough I hadn't read any of his work before 'On Writing'. For horror I used to read, er.. an English author whose name totally escapes me (Englands answer to King)--he wrote 'Rats', amongst others. It's funny but I can see his face but can't remember his name, that's ironic because writers are usually faceless.

Anyway, since King inspired me back into reading, in 3 weeks I've read 2 Harry potter books (great fun), A Painted House by John Grisham (written in first person--good low key drama/thriller) and The Stand by stephen king--all 1400+ pages of the uncut version, which was gripping.

I have now almost completed a synopsis for my second novel, which is a murder mystery/thriller set in Cyprus (I've never actually read a murder mystery thriller, so I should have a fresh slant on things :cool: ).

His name is, his name is.. Ahhh:eek: ! It's on the tip of my tongue
JAMES HERBERT that's who, Jame Herbert I knew it would come to me.

Later
TablaBing TablaBong

Acerbus
11-29-01, 07:29 PM
The Harry Potter books are good:) ive have read all four of them like that thing says "books for all ages" stephen king kicks ass also:D right now im re-reading Desperation and ive read like the first quarter of The Black Tower.

Banshee
11-29-01, 08:10 PM
I know the work of James Herbert, he writes ok, but not the way Stephen King does.

Did you see the movie then, which is made after S. Kings book the Stand? A movie from six hours, but a great movie. Available on video. You should go see it....

By the way, the Black House tells two stories in one book. He wrote this one together with Peter Staub, which whom he also wrote the Talisman and that is no horror oh no.:)

The Dark Tower isn't horror either. It is wonderful, real good stories. Perhaps you should try it out Tablariddim.

You could be surprised.;)

What do you think Acerbus?

Isn't the Dark Tower great, all four of them. Read the Black House, there is some Dark Tower in it. But it is not a whole fifth part of the Dark Tower books he wrote. But even though, wonderful book. :)

As always. Stephen King never disappoints me.

tablariddim
11-30-01, 08:57 AM
I’VE SEEN CHRISTINE, THE SHINING AND CHILDREN OF THE CORN, ALL OF THEM A LONG TIME AGO. I REMEMBER ENJOYING CHRISTINE THE MOST. I WILL DEFINITELY READ MORE OF HIS WORK.

LATER
TABLABING TABLABONG

Banshee
11-30-01, 02:34 PM
Tablariddim, you should read the book 'The Shining', completely different and much more good then the movie. The movie doesn't tell half the story he wrote down in his book.

Though it is a great movie with Jack Nickolson in the lead row and that is a great actor, in every movie he plays a part in.:)

Same goes for 'Christine' and 'Children of the Corn'. The movies are real good, but if you've read the books, it is a lot different.
By the way, 'Children of the Cotn' is a short story he wrote, but they made several movies about it.

Did you see 'Cujo' then? That is a good movie, only the end isn't right with the book. Go figure that one out, great movie, great book.;)

And 'The Deadzone" is a real good movie also, as is the book.

Well, I can go on like this for hours. So nice of you to start with naming Stephen King.

Please go on with it. I really like to know what you think of his books. And the movies.

Talk to you later.

Greg Bernhardt
12-02-01, 06:28 PM
i read king's short story call "why we crave horror stories" it was good, it shows his philosophy on his writings.

Banshee
12-03-01, 02:40 PM
Yes I know that one too. It shows more of the man behind the stories also.

Isn't it great? He really is a great story teller. Wonderful books, though there are a few a little less, but they are still more then good...;)

Still busy in The Black House...

Written together with Peter Straub who has a lot of very good books written also.

Teri
12-08-01, 05:39 AM
I think his first book was The Shining and from then on I was hooked. I adore his books. I wonder if anyone can help me with getting a copy of the book he wrote for the internet - I think it was called Ride the Bullet (or something like that). In any event, I refuse to put credit card details on the internet (disregard the fact that I have cut up all my credit cards) but I don't know how else to get a copy.
Does anyone have any ideas?

Don't forget his books written as Richard Bachman and I also found a four tape cassette package of storys read by him called Blood and Smoke.

I think my favorite to date is The Green Mile. I hope he keeps writing forever.

rde
12-08-01, 10:04 AM
Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday; the day Pet Semetary was published it. I'd just finished Cujo, which I didn't enjoy at all, so I was looking forward to the new tome.

Damn, it was awful. Last Stephen King book I read. But of his pre-PS days, the Stand is his finest, IMO. Closely followed by Salem's Lot.

However...
DIfferent Seasons is excellent. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption was made into a film worthy of the story, The Body was made into a film starring Wesley Crusher and apparently Apt Pupil was made into a film as well, but I haven't seen it.
No idea what the fourth story was, but the other three are amongst those short works you have to read.

Teri
12-09-01, 08:48 AM
I agree with you that The Stand was a great book and it was made into a double video release but didn't live up to expectations.

When you mentioned Different Seasons, I dug it up from my book shelves. The 4th story on that was one called "The Breathing Method" - about a woman determined to give birth to a baby, no matter what.

Apt Pupil was so-so as a movie, but you have to concede that it's hard to live up to any type of book when making a movie. Rde, if you haven't read The Green Mile, give it a go, I'd like to hear what you think of it.

Actually, when looking at the books, I found quite a few that didn't impress me, but I've always liked his style of writing. He doesn't overflow with flowery adjectives. And when you think about it, quite a few have been made into movies, Thinner, Misery, The Langoliers (that was from another four story book called Four Past Midnight, and I know there have been quite a few others, mainly made into video releases. I think there is a movie being released called Hearts in Atlantis, which is the name of one of SK's books. The movie hasn't been released out here yet. Anyone seen it?

Cheers
Teri

Banshee
12-09-01, 12:47 PM
The first book written by Stephen King was 'Carrie'.

There is a movie made about this book way back in 1976 already and I saw that one in the Cinema then. I was just a teenager in that time and had just found out about S. King.
Good movie, really.

Most of the times his books are a lot better then the movies made after his books. There is a lot more in the books.
Take for instance 'The Shining' and 'The Stand'.
In the books is much more to be found and 'The Stand' is a movie that lasts 6 hours, but doesn't contain all what is in the book.

'The Shining" was a nice movie to look at, but it doesn't show what it is really about. In the book you can find that it was the hotel that got to man's head and drove him crazy and a lot of things are not even done right in the movie.

'Cujo' has a complete different ending in the movie, in the book the boy dies, in the movie they live long and happy in the end.

The books he wrote under Richard Bachman are just as good as the others. He did that to look if people should buy the books in the same way, he wrote under his real name.

Well, the public found this out rather quickly because it was registerd by his publice agency and it came out that Richard Bachman was in fact Stephen King. So the books were sold as good as the other ones.

Try Peter Straub...he is a good writer also.;)

But stay on reading S. King, for his latest book 'The Black House' is a wonderful one...

pragmathen
12-19-01, 04:34 PM
Man, I must say that I love Stephen King's books. But it surprises me that no one's mentioned <i>It</i>, which I'd have to say is my favorite book by him. It just kept getting better, the storylines were so convoluted, and the ending touched a little base with the sci-fi genre--which is right up my alley. Twas a great book, it.

Desperation would have to be second-best running a tight parallel with the Stand. Tommyknockers was worth the read, but it ended rather abruptly. Dreamcatcher was quite cool as well, as he delved a bit into the sci-fi again.

As far as the others (i.e., PS, Cujo, Carrie, Firestarter, &c.), since I've seen them in movie form, it's nearly impossible for me to want to read the book version afterward. Anyone else like that? I don't really know why (yeah I do), but I have a difficult to impossible time of picking up a book after I've seen the movie for it, even though I'm fairly certain the book will turn out better. But I hate knowing what happens to everyone already. Kind of spoils the whole suspense thing, I guess.

Well, that's my thoughts.

Thanks!

prag

Banshee
12-20-01, 11:11 AM
Pragmathen, IT is a very, very good book. Much better then the movie. Much more in the book then in the movie. And the ending is a little different then in the book, just as Cujo has an entire different ending then in the book. So has The Shining. Really, in the books is a lot more to be found then in the movies...But everybody has his/her own look at it.;)

I loved to read Dreamcatcer, wonderful story. Tommyknockers and Desperation are a little less I think, but that is only my opinion. I really have all S. Kings books and will keep on buying them. I can really see it happen before my eyes, while reading the stories.:)

What about the Dark Tower books? I am waiting for the fifth one. Hope he will come up with it pretty soon. It has been four years ago now he wrote the last one. Glass and Wizzards.
There is a little Dark Tower in the latest book written by him and Peter Straub (the Talisman) called Black House. Good story, really...

Teri
12-20-01, 12:18 PM
Doesn't anyone else share my love of The Green Mile?

Actually when you look at the collection of his books it's kinda mind boggling. He must have the worlds greatest imagination.

Still no answer on Ride The Bullet..... has anyone read it?

Cheers
Teri

Banshee
12-20-01, 12:29 PM
Hi Teri, I mentioned The Green Mile at the thread about movies. Great book, great movie. Have you seen the movie? So sad...

Don't you mean Silver Bullet? That one I know yes. Great story.
Haven't seen the movie, but I prefer the books above the movies any way. Because in the movies there is a lot changed most of the time and sometimes the story is not doing as well as in the books.;)

Teri
12-20-01, 11:03 PM
I haven't heard of Silver Bullet so I'll do a bit of research. All I know is that there was one book he wrote that was only available on the internet.

Yes, I did see the movie The Green Mile, (I couldn't wait for it to be released) and I think that's the best conversion to a movie of any of his books. The new one you're reading I haven't found in paperback yet, but I'll be looking forward to getting that one too.

It's great to share a love of an author with someone, thanks.
Let's keep each other updated with any new releases.

Cheers
Teri

Banshee
12-21-01, 12:47 PM
I totally agree with you about The Green Mile. It sure was the best movie they've ever made after a book by S. King.

Black House is the latest book, so I guess it will take a little time before it is available in paperback. But it is a great story. It is built up so very nice. It gets better and better. I finished it, but shall not tell you the story.;)

If I may say something to you...First buy The Talisman. It is written by S. King and P. Straub also and available in paperback. Then you can read on in Black House, which is also written by both authors and The Talisman has a big connection with Black House.

Great story, The Talisman.:)

Let me know if you read it and what you think. I love to talk about this books. Have them all...

Teri
12-22-01, 08:54 PM
Thanks for the info. I've got the Talisman - I read it years ago - and have since forgotten the story. But if it's connected to the new book, I'll re-read it and maybe by then the new book will be available in paperback.

I must admit though much of my reading time has been spend on the internet. I've become an internet junkie.

Have a good Christmas if I don't catch up with you before then.

Love
Teri

Banshee
12-23-01, 04:32 PM
Hi Teri, reread The Talisman if you can find the time. It is a real good story and you can so nicely jump into Black House, after that. Guess it is available in paperback by then. Black House was released in October, so it won't be that long I guess.;)

Have a very good christmas.

Talk to you soon.

Tiassa
01-10-02, 07:13 PM
I haven't bothered with Stephen King, save for the occasional entry in a short-story anthology that I can't avoid (e.g. "Night Flyer" in Winters' Prime Evil.) I stopped reading King after Four Past Midnight. It was both awful and offensive.

It was bad because the writing just plain sucked; after so many books, that voice carries over about as well as a mystery hack. "The Langoliers" was as bad as the starring-Bronson-Pinchot ABC event; "Library Police" was too internalized if anything, but unpalatable as a story; "The Sun Dog" had some promise but reminded me of "Apt Pupil" in some abstract way, perhaps the simple juxtaposition of two characters in each story (boy and old man) and lacked any compelling narrative voice.

But what drove me over the edge was "Secret Window, Secret Garden", a story of a writer going mad over an issue of plagiarism far in his past. The utterly sad thing is that King has merely lifted the story from one of the writers who consistently outdoes him, Charles L Grant. Grant's story occurs in Dialing the Wind, and surveys the breakdown of an average man under normal circumstances. King stole the hook at the end. And in horror, the hook is vital.

I haven't read the new King/Straub effort yet, and I'm hesitant to bother. I actually love Straub's work--"The Juniper Tree" is one of the most numbing short stories I've ever read--and I can tell who's got the most influence on what part of Talisman because I didn't think the story was that seamless. At every opportunity, Straub wrote him off the page. I'm not particularly anxious to witness another literary "taking to the woodshed".

Oh, hey ... I've got the best example I can offer: 1 volume, 4 stories, right? Put Different Seasons up against Four Past Midnight. King should never have released Four Past.

For those who are fans of Talisman and the current project, might I recommend Straub's Houses Without Doors or Streiber's Billy? I think you'll find appreciation for those as well. Houses is one of Straub's finest moments, in the form of short stories and intermezzos. Billy is of an appreciable narrative voice and is one of about three books which heralded the end of that age. It's also the book that taught me not to badmouth Streiber: he flattened me the way only Straub and McKammon had before.

thanx,
Tiassa :cool:

Banshee
01-11-02, 02:27 PM
Have to agree with you that not everything written by S.King over the last years is as good as his earlier work. Perhaps you should try Eyes Of The Dragon and The Dark Tower books (The Gunslinger, The Drawing Of The Three, The Blasted Lands and Wizzards And Glass), for they are wonderful and completely different than his 'latest' works.

With The Langoliers I got visions of packman and the little balls trying to bite everyone and everything on their way.:p Strange story. What about The Marathon? Did you read that story? Real weird. Imagine...

Peter Straub is a first class writer oh yes. Great to read his books. But I can also read who has written what, in The Talisman and again in Black House. Guess S.King has done a great part of it, as well as P.Straub did.:) You really can read the difference.

Are you referring to Whitley Strieber here? He has also written some nice books. Little difficult to tell the titles in English right now because I am not able to look in my bookcases at the moment.

You know the book Shadowland? Forgot who wrote it, guess it is Peter Straub, but I am not sure. That is a wonderful story.

Well, I love a lot of authors. I dive into the story and keep on reading till its over and done with. Really go into the story and see it happening.;)

If you want to read S.King, try to begin with his earlier works. There he is still fresh.:) I keep on reading his books, he writes it down so nice, real creepy so now and then...

(Q)
01-11-02, 04:12 PM
There were three events I've regretted having associates convince me to partake. And although the kicking and screaming were incessant, I finally gave in.

Two of these were the viewing of the movies, "Dune" and the original animated "Lord of the Rings." I'm not sure I'll ever get rid of that bad taste in my mouth.

The third was the reading of Stephen Kings, "The Stand." It was almost as bad as watching TV. :rolleyes:

Tiassa
01-11-02, 06:36 PM
Indeed, good sir, I am referring to Whitley Streiber. Sometime I'll expound on that movement of writing, a golden age for genre fiction.

But yes ... I recommend Billy as a true American scary story. It's the best I've seen him do.

Incidentally, if you ever find a copy of Douglas E Winter's Prime Evil (I mention it because of Straub in the earlier post; Juniper Tree was first published in this volume), which I'm told sold well in Europe, you'll find a Whitley Streiber story called The Pool which is jaw-dropping; in fact, aside from King's contribution (Night Flyer), the Prime Evil anthology is bulletproof. (If you've ever seen me writing about Jack Cady, this is where I first came across him, too.)

But this is a Stephen King topic, so I should let it wander back to its proper path.

thanx,
Tiassa :cool:

Banshee
01-11-02, 10:40 PM
For the info.

I will certainly go after the books you mention. Now I am curious. Thank you so much. I'll get back to you about it. Not that many humans over here at Sciforums to talk to about books. Scary or not scary.;)

Have a nice day...

Moonlightwriter
03-01-02, 02:35 AM
King's Book ON WRITING...I'd decided not to buy this one. I've already got scads of books on writing, but being a member of the Barnes and Noble church, <g> I kept pulling it off the shelf and settling into a soft chair to read it. He's one of the few authors I've read about who were able to stay home from the very beginning and just write. Tabitha, his wife supported him as he did so. Eventually, he did get "real" jobs along the way. But the really fascinating thing about this book was his discription of his accident. He was hit by a guy in a van who'd turned to attend to his dog. The guy had been in multiple accidents in the past where he was at fault. And when King was lying in twisted pieces in a ditch, the guy came over and calmly sat down beside him with a "Yup, yup, you sure are hurt..." nonchalant kinda way and King felt he had finally met one of the characters from one of his books. The description was chilling. Annnnnd since he was so generous with his advice, I ended up buying the book.

The thing about King's novels is they were so grippingly intense that I found it VERY hard to put them down. I've never found his movies as good as his books, but then I rarely find any movie as good as any book... with the exception of Out of Africa. But the thing I liked best about King, is the adrenalin rush it gave me. He's the only author who got me to produce an involuntary audible gasp and that was in The Shining. In the bathroom...when you know who suddenly sat up. <G> When I read his work, I get so scared my eyes begin to water, not like when I cry, but somehow different. And I have to slam the book down and close my eyes and relax a bit...take a break...shake it offl. His books always make me glad to be alive and well in boring Smalltown!

Banshee
03-01-02, 04:46 AM
While I was reading the book, I really was scared when I went to the toilet. had the feeling something could come out of the air-shafts(?) who were in the ceiling.

Wonderful book, much, much better than the movie. In the movie they leave out a lot and the sphere is badly damaged there. Even the end is changed.

I agree with you that books are better than the movies, especially in S. Kings case. Better dive into the book and see it happen in your mind. A whole diferent 'movie'.

The Green Mile is a rather good movie though.

By the way, welcome at Sciforums. That you may post long and happy here...:cool:

Moonlightwriter
03-01-02, 11:06 AM
Oh, yeaaaah! I hated walking down my cellar steps for fear a hand would grab my ankle. I started looking really hard at sewer entrances in down town Smalltown. AND I QUIT walking over sidewalk grates! Eeeuuw! No telling what could happen to a mid-west mom in a place like this!

Banshee
03-02-02, 08:40 AM
Did you read 'It' also? Whow, that's scary, especially if you have children. Don't let them play outside with their little paper ships in the gutter.

My goodness, imagine...(wipes sweat from forehead) Am I glad my son has reached the honourable age of 14, so I am sure he won't do that any more. Though you never know. He can go into some creepy business. Argh, what a shivers S.King has brought to me.

The last one I read by him was 'Dreamcatcher'. You know it? Tell me more please... :)

Moonlightwriter
03-02-02, 09:25 AM
Wasn't IT the one with the clown? He took an innocuous clown...something parents sometimes have to work on their young kids to get used to, and made it the most terrifying thing! King's good for picking ordinary people, things, places, that you really don't pay much attention to, ordinary every day things right under your nose, and scaring the bejesus out of you.

I haven't read Dreamcatcher, I don't believe. I don't remember the last fictitious book of his I read. Real life had become filled with real dread of it's own for a time and I couldn't handle more tension in my life, so I stopped reading his work and turned to lighter books.

I bought his writing book because he had such an unusual style of writing...especially for a man. He doesn't plot out his books ahead of time. He says he picks some characters and he puts them into a situation. He relies on his intuition to figure out what these characters would do in this situation. And he writes his first draft by intuition. He believes spontanaeity and plotting aren't compatible. But after his first draft, he takes a hard look at what this book is about, so then he can shape it a bit more with the overall theme in mind. He says plot is the writer's last choice and the dullard's first choice, which makes him more of an organic sort of writer than a nuts and bolts outlining one.

Banshee
03-02-02, 10:02 AM
Yes, I know. I've read 'S.King on writing'. :) That is why the 'Dark Tower' books are that good. He doesn't know when the next will come and he doesn't know yet what will happen with the characters in the books. A remarkable story it is.

Not scary, it is more good fantasy, wonderfull story. I am dying to know when the next one comes out. It's been three years ago now, that the last one, 'Wizzards and Glass' came out. It's about time for the next... :)

Moonlightwriter
03-02-02, 11:41 AM
I'd heard an announcement that he's retiring. I saw him in a brief interview where he talked about his comeback from his accident, his physical therapy, and so on. He appeared to be in good humor, talked about how by the end of the day his body is wearing out and so achy. And he said it wasn't like he was just going to quit living, that he has two years of projects to work on. I was a little suspicious of the retirement announcement. I wondered if it was a PR ploy to boost sales on his books, or if he perhaps was just mentally exhausted from dealing with all he's dealt with in the past couple of years. I guess time will tell. He can always renounce his retirement and start pecking away any time he likes, so it'll be interesting to see what happens. I tend to think he likes challenges anyway, and may write under another pen name, but who knows?

Y'know, several years ago they were filming some scenes in a tiny town near here. There's a train tunnel, lined with huge stones down on the Katy Trail, our state's train track turned walking trail. I knew they were coming and there was one weekend that I wondered if he'd be coming to this town. I mentioned it to a friend and he poo-poohed the idea, thinking why would HIMSELF <G> show up for something like that. A few weeks after the shooting I happened to be down on that trail talking to a man who runs a bike shop there and I mentioned the filming. He said that King did indeed show up...not the weekend when the filming was happening, but the very weekend I was considering going over there to check out what was going on.

Another bit...when he was on this interview on t.v., he was promoting a Townhall Reading and selling tickets to it to benefit a friend who had major medical problems. He was going to do a live reading and not only that, but what REALLY got me was the fact Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides & Beach Music) was going to be there doing a reading too. Conroy is my all time favorite writer. He writes like a poet...incredible detailed images in his writing. Just luscious writing! But mingled with the beauty is all this sadness and a spunky determination to overcome it all. I have always wanted to meet Conroy...or exchange letters...and the idea of hearing them both...in a place I've always wanted to go, Maine, was just so tempting!

Congrats
03-02-02, 04:17 PM
;) I thought Pet Sematary was the most moving King book I ever read...it was fascinating how far horror could transcend itslef to make a powerful statement on the nature of life-

I also did hear that he was retiring- but also that he was going to release one more book in May, another new book in October and a miniseries sometime thereafter. It seems more like an excuse to make more books than a real promise. Or at least I wish it so.

With Dreamcatcher, I honestly put iy down after reading 200 pages. It has yet to be unfrozen from my 'permafrost reject shelf.' Sure, it was mad scary but I just wasn't true Stephen King to me- aliens are something that a human-based writer should never really try to dabble in. He did that with the Tommyknockers and I didn't like that either. It's almost as if it's 'Stephen King doing aliens' and not just Stephen King.

IT, however, was the most enjoyable King book I have ever read. A lot of people will criticize it ffor its lack of direction, but I just wallowed in it. TO THIS DAY whenever I see a clown, or hear of clown, I imagine him slightly less suburbanised, with a few more garish accessories, and REAL hair- it's enough to make me see that thing coming up my shower drain.
Wasn't there a serial killer in Phialadelphia that dressed as a clown and lured children into a clown-car? (and then obviously killed them-) I don't know much about it, but could this guy have inspired King, or even have been madly obsessed with Pennywise and killed the children in that manner in an attempt to emulate the good ol' clown-either way the implications in our own world are chilling.

Banshee
03-02-02, 10:58 PM
Yes...Pet Sematary is a wonderful story. :) Just like Cujo, it can happen you know. That's the most scary part.

Dreamcatcher is a good book, though the extraterrestrials are a little the 'bad guys' and that I didn't like so much.

Moonlightwriter, I heard that S.King always showed up when there's been a movie made out of his books. He also writes under the name Richard Bachman.

I really hope there is coming more work from him, I love to read it and oh, do I hope he will finish the Dark Tower story...:)

Congrats
03-03-02, 12:40 PM
I never read any of the Dark Tower stuff- I'm thinking now I should-

I used to like Cujo, but then something very similar happened in my own life and I refuse to even look at the cover because of how trivial and commercial that type of attack can be.

But does anyone know the titles of the new books coming out? I'd really like to know so I can put a word with the idea.

Congrats
03-03-02, 12:47 PM
I found this from the official SK website...is it old news or am I just naive?

September:
From a Buick 8
Hardcover Novel, Scribner
Tentative release date: September 24, 2002
A limited edition of this book will also be published through Cemetery Dance Publications. For more info, visit www.cemeterydance.com/king/

The Kingdom
Television miniseries, ABC/Stephen King
ABC and Stephen King will be collaborating on a dramatic series titled The Kingdom to air sometime in the 2002-03 season. Stephen will write the first two-hour installment. The series was inspired by the Danish miniseries of the same name, directed by Lars Van Trier. The ABC press release describes The Kingdom as a "shocking and frightening tale of a haunted hospital that was built over an ancient graveyard. The doctors have put all their faith into science and technology, and are dismissive of any suggestion of mysticism or unseen powers...at their own peril."
Date Not Set
Dreamcatcher
Major Motion Picture Release/Castle Rock
Dreamcatcher, the film based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, tells of four young friends who perform a heroic act -- and are changed forever by the uncanny powers they gain in return. Years later the friends, now men, are on a hunting trip in the Maine woods when they are overtaken by a blizzard, a vicious storm in which something much more ominous moves...

Challenged to stop an alien force, the friends must first prevent the slaughter of innocent civilians by a military vigilante, then overcome a threat to the bond between them. In the end, the friends confront an unparalleled horror, with the fate of the world in the balance.

Lawrence Kasdan, whose film credits include Body Heat, The Big Chill, Silverado, Grand Canyon, and French Kiss, will direct. The film will star Morgan Freeman and Tom Sizemore as military officers. Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, Damian Lewis, and Timothy Olyphant will play the four friends, with Donnie Wahlberg as the mysterious figure at the center of their circle.

Production begins January 13, 2002, in the snowy woods of Prince George, British Columbia, and later moves to Vancouver. Watch this space for continuing reports...

March:
Everything's Eventual
Hardcover short story collection, Scribner
Publication Date: March 19, 2002
Posted: 7 February 2002

Banshee
03-05-02, 11:33 PM
*Dreamcatcher
Major Motion Picture Release/Castle Rock
Dreamcatcher, the film based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, tells of four young friends who perform a heroic act -- and are changed forever by the uncanny powers they gain in return. Years later the friends, now men, are on a hunting trip in the Maine woods when they are overtaken by a blizzard, a vicious storm in which something much more ominous moves...

Challenged to stop an alien force, the friends must first prevent the slaughter of innocent civilians by a military vigilante, then overcome a threat to the bond between them. In the end, the friends confront an unparalleled horror, with the fate of the world in the balance.*

Thanx for the info Congratulations. :) Dreamcatcher doesn't sound completely like the book, as always when they make a movie after a book by S.King. In the book it is not really an Alien invasion. A Spacecraft crashes and it turns out that the Aliens are victims themselves too. There is a catch though! Something mysterious came with them down to Earth and that is the danger...

Pity that the Aliens always have to play the bad part . ;) The militay is acting aweful in this story, I hope that will be shown also in the movie... :)

Red2m4
03-29-02, 02:09 AM
Any body a fan of "Stand By Me" ? I believe that it was based on a short story by King called "The Body". The only movie I've seen that had Kings name on it, that I liked.

The fact that so many bad (IMHO) movies were made from his stories kept me from reading his books...but I have a trip to Texas coming up soon....maybe I'll get the chance for some in-flight reading.

Teri
03-30-02, 09:33 AM
I agree with your observations that most of the movies adapted from SK's books have been pretty bad...... sorry, I just read what I wrote and can see how pompus that first sentence is - "I agree with your observations...blah blah blah" - I'll start again, and I'm not even sure if I spelt 'pompus' right, :o sorry again.... start again-

HI THERE, Welcome aboard the forums Red2m4 :)


What I'm trying to spit out is that most of the movies I've seen made from his books do suck. The only one worthy of praise (IMHO) was The Green Mile. But read the book first. I think its one of my favorites. My other favourite was The Dead Zone. The title sounds scary but it's more realistic than you would think, meaning it's not about zombies which first came to my mind when I saw the title. Stand By Me was a very early short story and I loved that too. King has some great books and some fairly ordinary ones. But it's really a matter of what you like to read.
Good luck.
Cheers
Teri