Stephen King
Early Life
Stephen Edwin King was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine. His parents were Donald Edwin King, a merchant seaman, and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. Stephen has an older brother, David. When Stephen was two years old, his father left the family, leaving his mother to raise the two boys alone. The family moved frequently during Stephen's early years, living in various states including Wisconsin, Indiana, and Connecticut.
Education
King attended Lisbon Falls High School in Lisbon Falls, Maine. He showed an early interest in writing, contributing articles to his brother's amateur newspaper, Dave's Rag. After graduating high school in 1966, he enrolled at the University of Maine, where he majored in English. While at university, King wrote a column for the school newspaper, The Maine Campus, and participated in a writing workshop. He graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Career
After graduating from university, King worked as a teacher while writing short stories and novels in his spare time. His first published novel, Carrie, was released in 1974. The novel was a commercial success, allowing King to focus on writing full-time. Since then, King has written over 60 novels and 200 short stories. His works include The Shining, It, The Stand, and The Dark Tower series.
King's works are primarily in the horror genre, but he has also written in the fantasy, supernatural fiction, and suspense genres. His books have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide, and many of his works have been adapted into films, television series, and comic books.
Writing Style
King's writing style is characterized by its narrative clarity, engaging dialogue, and vividly described settings. He is known for his ability to create suspense and evoke a sense of horror and dread. King often uses ordinary characters and everyday situations as a starting point, gradually introducing elements of the supernatural or the bizarre.
King has also been praised for his ability to create complex, believable characters. He often delves deeply into his characters' backgrounds and motivations, making them feel real and relatable to readers. His characters often face moral dilemmas and are forced to confront their deepest fears.
Personal Life
King married Tabitha Spruce in 1971. The couple has three children: Naomi, Joe, and Owen. Both Joe and Owen have followed in their father's footsteps and become writers. King and his wife divide their time between homes in Maine and Florida.
Legacy
King's impact on the horror genre is significant. He has been credited with revitalizing the genre in the late 20th century and has influenced a generation of horror writers. His works have also had a major impact on popular culture, with many of his stories and characters becoming part of the cultural zeitgeist.
King has received numerous awards for his work, including the Bram Stoker Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. In 2003, he received the National Medal of Arts from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts.