Stalking Stephen King

[Greasemonkey]

Something I've noticed from reading this board, is the number of posters who talk about going to Maine in the hope of bumping into Mr King.

The question I have to ask these posters is, what do you guys expect to happen in the very unlikely event that your wish comes true? Stephen King is not your buddy, just because you've bought a bunch of his books. He's not going to invite you back to the house for dinner, or even down to Starbuck's for a quick latte and a cookie or two.

Mr King has a reputation for being gracious when approached by fans, but basically all you'll be doing is pestering a man who cherishes his privacy and gets damned little of it.

[The Mangler]

I suppose people just want to see him in person rather than having high-expectations of dinner dates and Brewskies. It's normal for people to want to see celebrities in their natural environment, to say hi and have a cherished memory that they met their idol. Nothing wrong with that.

:)

[ShadysLady]

I agree with you 100%. Mr. King is a human just like us but alot more talented. We love our privacy so we should respect his. He is a great author and don't get me wrong (I WOULD LOVE TO MEET HIM), however I would never expect him to be put out just to please a fan.

[Ubasti]

I have read, and heard, that Sai King enjoys being able to walk around Maine without being "noticed". I'm glad that he's able to maintain some sense of privacy at home, where it's most important.

[PatInTheHat]

I wouldn't turn down cookies...who could turn down such a wonderful confectionary treat such as cookies:eyebrow:?

Well, I guess it would have to be pretty damn tasty good quality cookie I'm thinkin'...ok, so maybe I should stop doing that :umm: do you smell something burnin':oh:?

[Ducky]

I see your point, Greasemonkey. But didn't we also have this discussion not so long ago? Grant you, it was a very entertaining one at times, but still... :wink2:

[Maddie]

I wrote a short story once about it, Roadtrip to Maine, quite funny, included Betts books store and Mr. Tinker, the Hotel at the End of the Road, essence of Stephen, but not Stephen himself. I would loveee to take a trip to Maine cause it is Stephens heart land and it makes it fascinating to me, as Im sure is the case with a lot of others who want to go there, and some of those have been there. To be in a local shop there and glance over and see him havin' a coffee or something, oh yea that would be so cool, worse thing could happen I would pass out on the floor. :biggrin2:

[trhutchins3]

I'm sure Mr. King has been hearing such comments since before the internet was popular. By now, someone's probably already tried and succeeded at this little stunt. What kind of pride can be derived from that kind of accomplishment, though? (Ooh, lookey thar I skeered the famous writer man. Ain't I sumthin'! Yuck-yuck.)

[poisonbat]

If you want to meet the man (most of us do) Go to a book signing and do it the right way. HUH? :eyebrow::bat:

[abacus]

Grease,

I think you are attributing negative characteristics where there aren't any and being absurdly negative about posts which are light hearted at worst. They are just being fanciful. Even if they were being intrusive, it just comes with the territory. Being famous and popular pays well.

[Agincourt Concierge]

If you want to meet the man (most of us do) Go to a book signing and do it the right way. HUH? :eyebrow::bat:

Agree with Poisonbat on this one....I'd love to attend a book signing....but I wouldn't stalk the man....now...if I passed him on the street I would give him a big smile :biggrin2: Maybe fall over or something....:D

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

To quote Bob Dylan (not for the first time LOL) -

'This was all so unsettling. I wanted to set fire to these people. These gate-crashers, spooks, trespassers, demagogues were all disrupting my home life. Each day and night was fraught with difficulties. Everything was wrong. It was backing me into a corner.'

(Chronicles, Volume One)

Long days and pleasant nights

[danie]

Of course we don't want to stalk the man. All of us know to respect his privacy. However, if I were wandering about his hometown, you better bet that I'd be hoping to catch a glimpse of him. If I happened to see him, I wouldn't harrass him, or even go up to him. I'd just look and smile and think, "Cool Dude."
Who wouldn't hope to see Sai King out and about? That doesn't mean we want to stalk him.:eek2:

[crazycrashink]

First off, I would NEVER go to Maine just on the hope of seeing Sai King;however, if I was going to Maine for another reason the thought that I may cross paths with him would probably gleefully dance across my brain before I could stop it. If I did see him I would like to think I have enough courtesy to just smile insanely,maybe wave, but not interrupt his day to day doings. But it would still be super cool!!!:biggrin2:

[staropeace]

If I saw Stephen King on the rud,I would run the other way. I am pretty self-effacing and shy that way. I wouldnt know what to say.:sleepy:

[~Ally~]

I have read, and heard, that Sai King enjoys being able to walk around Maine without being "noticed". I'm glad that he's able to maintain some sense of privacy at home, where it's most important.

Ah but Ubasti you are one of the lucky one's who has been fortunate enough to meet Uncle Steve in person.(I really need to get me a thoughtful boyfriend who does nice things like that too :biggrin2:).

Yet i dont agree with anyone stalking the guy, where he lives is private and he should be able to enjoy peace and privacy at home. If i ever was to go to Maine it would purely be to see the place where so many fabulous characters and stories were formed...I would likely run away, faint or go a very deep shade of red and momentarily mute if i ever ran into the great man himself.:oops:

[smooth operator]

I respect SK too much to ever invade his privacy. If I saw him on the street, I would certainly be excited, but I would hesitate to approach him. I would not want to look like a stalker fan. Also, I always keep in mind that old saying by Mark Twain - "It is better to be quiet and let people believe you are crazy (paraphrase) than to open your mouth and confirm it."

[aussiewonder]

Although I would I some point in time love to meet Sai King, I feel stalking him in Maine is completely out of the question on my limited budget, I will have to stalk a celeb who lives closer!:eyebrow:

[Mr Nobody]

Well, I want to go to Maine. Why? Well, to see Maine. It looks (in pix) and sounds like a nice place. Plus one of my favourite authors has written about it a lot (fictionalized, yes, but still). But would I lurk outside the gates to his house on the off-chance? Hell NO!
It doesn't take a wild leap of imagination to realize how it would feel to be on the receiving end of that.
So, visit Maine? Yes. Visit Maine to stalk Stephen King? Are you kidding me?

And like Staro, even if I was in a shop or something and he walked in/by , I'd be too shy and gobsmacked to say anything. I'd maybe manage to gasp to the g/f that SK was right there, but otherwise it'd just be a case of 'you go about your business, and I'll go about mine' - in such a happenstance, that would be 'holiday'.

[Metal]

If I saw Stephen King on the rud,I would run the other way. I am pretty self-effacing and shy that way. I wouldnt know what to say.:sleepy:

That would be me. :blush:
I would have a bit of courage at a book signing though (i think!). Come to the UK Stephen! :smile2:

[Srbo]

If you want to meet the man (most of us do) Go to a book signing and do it the right way. HUH? :eyebrow::bat:

Hopefully he will have a book signing in Canada someday.:smile2:

[Mr Nobody]

Hopefully he will have a book signing in Canada someday.:smile2:

Or Birmingham, England. Even Manchester would do. Or Sheffield. I won't hold my breath, though. :wink2:

[Matticus]

I traveled farther than it is from Maine to Ireland to see him (Colorado to DC)...with the amount of signings he does, you can't wait for him to come to you in most cases.

It was worth every penny and I plan to do it whenever I get a chance until it drives my wife insane. :laugh:

[JohnDalglish]

Or Birmingham, England. Even Manchester would do. Or Sheffield. I won't hold my breath, though. :wink2:

Hi,

Or Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Cardiff etc.

Or even London again.

Let's hope for Under the Dome, eh?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Roseasharn]

I don't think I would be okay if I met Stephen King, even at a book signing.
Chuck Palhunik (sp?) lives around here and I've been to at least 3 readings and gotten in line to have him sign my copy of invisible monsters and then panicked and decided to get out of line. Everytime. Which is ridiculous. I could just say hi and get my book signed, I don't have to say anythign wonderful or witty. But I just get mad anxiety at the thought. And I don't even admire his stuff as much as SK's. I like Steve's afterwords and forwards and his books. Definitely good enough for me.
My luck, I'd puke on his shoes or something. How fantastic would that be?
ugh.

[JohnDalglish]

It was worth every penny and I plan to do it whenever I get a chance until it drives my wife insane. :laugh:

Hi,

What, do you mean to stop once your objective is achieved, Matt? LOL

Long days and pleasant nights

[Jack Frost]

I'm pretty sure that I had heard or read--and know I have been told by a friend who was working in the restaurant he frequented in Colorado while filming the remake of The Shining--that he doesn't mind making time for fans, as long as they do it right. What he hates is people who truly interrupt what he's doing--eating a meal, working, etc. If you happen upon him walking down the street, my understanding is he is very gracious and accommodating to fans. It's really a matter of common courtesy (something so often lacking in today's world)!

I would have to agree, someone who goes to Maine for the sole purpose of "stalking", which I would define as simply going to try and find him, relentless to no end--despicable. However, someone who goes to Maine, as many have said in this thread, to see the world where so many great characters and stories have come to life, to see where Sai King exists, and even hoping for a glimpse or chance run-in--more power to them.

Sai King has inspired so many of us with his skill, it is only natural to want to see his world--just as some want to see the Grand Canyon, or the ocean, or go to Europe. He is a part of MY history, MY inspiration.

I would like to think that, as long as there is no disrespect, Sai King would be honored that his fans have such a great love for him and his surroundings.

Just my 2 cents!

Cheers!!!

[SusanNorton]

I traveled farther than it is from Maine to Ireland to see him (Colorado to DC)...with the amount of signings he does, you can't wait for him to come to you in most cases.

It was worth every penny and I plan to do it whenever I get a chance until it drives my wife insane. :laugh:

Yes, I'm still kicking myself for not heading to Boston last time.

[Sawney Beane]

S.K is a great writer,ok, an extraordinary writer.More than probably he´s also an extraordinary human being.But I´m not interested in meeting him more than I could be in meeting any of you.

[Matticus]

Insanity does not create good bedfellows. :laugh:

Not to mention, can you imagine standing in front of King and him realizing that he's the reason my wife is straight jacketed?

Seem like bad PR on all fronts.

[Greasemonkey]

No, it's not that I'm being negative about people's motivations. It's natural to want to meet in person someone you admire, and I don't think most of Mr King's fans are anything like that crazy broad who used to stalk him and break into his home.

What I'm saying is that if you're planning on travelling to Maine in the hope of meeting Stephen King, you probably haven't thought it through. Sure, there's a slight probability you might be in Bangor at the exact moment that SK drops into town for a newspaper and some groceries, but what then? Chances are that you'll be the eight-hundred-and-thirty-seven-thousandth person to say, "Wow, Mr King! It's really you! I've read all your books - that's some scary sh*t, man!", and Stephen King will reply, "Thanks buddy/Ma'am, that's very kind of you. Have a nice day, now", and you'll have spent all that money and time travelling to Maine for five seconds of conversation with someone to whom you are just a random stranger.

[bongo bay]

I’ve never thought of going to Maine to see him, but an idea like this seems interesting.
If I was in Maine, which is unlikely to happen, I could perhaps include a walk there, around the place where he lives, without much hopes of meeting him. I’d wave to him though, because if I didn’t, he could think I was ignorant not knowing who he was, so I would wave to him.
I wouldn’t want, Stephen King, who is my best writer by far, think about me as ignorant of his contributions or even bad-mannered, in case he could suspect I wasn’t after all ignorant of his identity. I imagine however he wouldn’t give a damn who I was and whether I knew him or not.
Since the accident he must have become more aware of wildlife in the neck of the woods where he lives, so coming in contact with him may be less probable than it used to be.

[brownmouse]

Again, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Mr.King for my wackadoodie behavior at his last book signing. I do hope I didn't cause any discomfort for him and his lovely wife. :blush:

[jacobtlong]

I wouldn't stalk Stephen King. If I ever saw him in person, I'd probably say that he frickin rocks and move along. Either that or I'd fall to my knees, bow, and cry to the gods that I'm not worthy. If you've seen Wayne's World, then you know exactly what I mean.

[Mr Nobody]

Hi,

Or Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Cardiff etc.

Or even London again.

Let's hope for Under the Dome, eh?

Long days and pleasant nights

Well, yeah, but I was going for the cheaper (for me) places, John. :wink2:
I might think it worthwhile to find the cash, somehow, someway, but I think my Becky would disagree. :sad:

Forget who it was who mentioned distance, but I bet the domestic trip was cheaper than a US-Ireland journey. :grinning:

[kingfanalaska09]

I've wanted to visit Bangor not just hopefully see Steve just go as a tourist I have no intentions in stalking don't do that if I saw him I'd say hello and if I didn't see him I wouldn't be upset I'm hoping he'll come to Alaska for a book signing

[Maddie]

and you'll have spent all that money and time travelling to Maine for five seconds of conversation with someone to whom you are just a random stranger.


I haven't met Stephen but Im sure encounters with fans mean more than that to him.....

I know what you're saying though, its a very routine thing for him to hear these same words uttered from the mouths of strangers, millions even, but, what a special lifetime memory for each and every constant reader.... even a glance at 5 seconds.

[Maddie]

and.....

I think its possible that Stephen could recognize some of us from around here if we introduced ourself cause he admittedly secretly visits and okay heres what I would say

its ME AmandaRose, and THANK YOU for writing me into Lisey's story (cause how I whined about the rich basts bidding at ebay and I was broke!) oh yea, I know ya did.:wink2:

[Seneca_V]

Well, when I go to Maine, it's usually for a vacation. When I go to Bangor there is a lot to see and do there, and there's Bett's!!! :) I don't go thinking OMG I'm going to see SK or anything. Even if I got lucky enough to see him, I wouldn't bother him out of respect for his privacy.

It would probably kill me to not say something, it would depend on the situation I saw him in, I suppose. If he was walking around, I wouldn't follow him, if I happened to run into him, I'd say something pleasant, a hand shake maybe, and I'd be off on my merry way.

And I've gone to look at his house twice, but I go to see the house, it's literally the most awesome house I have ever seen, so I go to visit the house, not SK, lol! And I only stay for a few minutes just to get my pic taken in front of it, it's not like I camp out on the sidewalk waiting for him to come out, lol! That would be creepy... :eek2:

So I hope I don't fit in with your definition of an SK Stalker... :)

-Sen

[Maddie]

let me explain that last post a little, cause see where it says Amanda down there 'he wrote that', and well, its mine :biggrin2:

http://www.stephenking.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=204&pictureid=1860

[ms.darkside]

In my beliefs, that Stephen doesn't mind his fans, or meeting them for that matter... as long as they're not "fan"atics. How can you tell the difference? They don't go around wearing signs saying so... One has to have dreams, or a "bucket list". And, it's definitely one of mine....

Book signings are the best way to meet the man, but there just isn't enough time to go around for everyone.... So, we must share.

One of these days, I might start a sentence beginning with "Your never gonna believe this... ":biggrin2: and then make a great big fool of myself.

[Maddie]

well if you want Stephen to remember you, say something original, something no one else might have said to him before, thats what I do . ;)

[JohnDalglish]

Book signings are the best way to meet the man, but there just isn't enough time to go around for everyone.... So, we must share.


Hi,

Yes indeed, and right here is the place to share, especially after Brownmouse and Shasta started a great tradition of gonzo jounalism on the SKMB after the Three Kings event last year.

Gonzo journalism

Long days and pleasant nights

[marew1]

:smile2: I'd like to meet SK at a book signing. You not only get to meet him but also get an autographed book! I like my privacy as the Kings do. I've been to Maine a few times but never went to Bangor.

[tillyn]

I guess you would be putting me in that category than, other than the fact i was heading out east to N.B. and it interested me in what Maine would look like in person.( He does write about the place all the time.) For myself, i'm not a silly person who would think he would be walking around waiting to sign autographs for everyone who wants one. I certainly wouldn't bother him or try to find him. I would imagine Maine gets a lot of tourism dollars out of the curious fans of Sai King. That would be the down side of being famous now wouldn't it for anyone famous. But if not for his fans that buy his books , he wouldn't be famous now would he.

[Annarkie]

yeah, as much as I'd love to talk to the guy, I'd probably just do what I did when I saw Gene Wilder at a McDonald's a couple years back. Give him a quick nod and smile and get back to eating my fries.

[Maddie]

Quoting Sen,

....And I've gone to look at his house twice, but I go to see the house, it's literally the most awesome house I have ever seen, so I go to visit the house....

Confusious say...if you go to dis mans house you might be borderline stalker :umm: ha ha ha

Seriously alot of people do this, I've seen tons of pictures, but what I wonder is how do so many fans get his home address, cause it being his real home it can't be a public sightsee....? is it? or that easy to get a hold of....? Im just wondering. :eyebrow:

[Seneca_V]

Quoting Sen,

....And I've gone to look at his house twice, but I go to see the house, it's literally the most awesome house I have ever seen, so I go to visit the house....

Confusious say...if you go to dis mans house you might be borderline stalker :umm: ha ha ha

Seriously alot of people do this, I've seen tons of pictures, but what I wonder is how do so many fans get his home address, cause it being his real home it can't be a public sightsee....? is it? or that easy to get a hold of....? Im just wondering. :eyebrow:

I'm not sure, I'm pretty sure I found the address on the Internet years ago. But you can't miss it once you find it. I'm sure some people stop to take a picture of it without knowing it's his house. It's really cool to see it in real life though. I think if you own a house like that and put up a gate like the one it has, you have to expect people to stop and gawk at it though. :biggrin2: If I remember, there are a lot of other beautiful houses on that street as well.

[Greasemonkey]

I guess you would be putting me in that category than, other than the fact i was heading out east to N.B. and it interested me in what Maine would look like in person.( He does write about the place all the time.) For myself, i'm not a silly person who would think he would be walking around waiting to sign autographs for everyone who wants one. I certainly wouldn't bother him or try to find him. I would imagine Maine gets a lot of tourism dollars out of the curious fans of Sai King. That would be the down side of being famous now wouldn't it for anyone famous. But if not for his fans that buy his books , he wouldn't be famous now would he.


No, I wouldn't include you in that category. There's nothing weird or stalker-ish about wanting to see the places Stephen King writes about in his stories.

I'd like to visite Maine myself at some point, in fact. King's affection for smalltown America shines through in much of his work, and it'd be interesting to compare the real Maine with the one I've imagined while reading stories like 'It' and 'Salem's Lot'.

As for the downside of fame, yes, it does come to everyone who's attained celebrity status. The best thing we can do as fans of Mr King, is to not add to that downside ourselves.

[senca the lemon]

this I find an amusing topic:blush:.
I wonder what SK thinks about fans.When he sees someone wearing a SK t-shirt does he think "ow cool a fan" or "ow no another one"...or when someone asks fo an autograph on the street does he appreciate it or is he more like "can't they just leave me alone?"

[JRLauer]

Something I've noticed from reading this board, is the number of posters who talk about going to Maine in the hope of bumping into Mr King.

The question I have to ask these posters is, what do you guys expect to happen in the very unlikely event that your wish comes true? Stephen King is not your buddy, just because you've bought a bunch of his books. He's not going to invite you back to the house for dinner, or even down to Starbuck's for a quick latte and a cookie or two.

Mr King has a reputation for being gracious when approached by fans, but basically all you'll be doing is pestering a man who cherishes his privacy and gets damned little of it.

No Starbuck's huh? Dang, there goes my plan.

[PatInTheHat]

No, I wouldn't include you in that category. There's nothing weird or stalker-ish about wanting to see the places Stephen King writes about in his stories.

I'd like to visite Maine myself at some point, in fact. King's affection for smalltown America shines through in much of his work, and it'd be interesting to compare the real Maine with the one I've imagined while reading stories like 'It' and 'Salem's Lot'.

As for the downside of fame, yes, it does come to everyone who's attained celebrity status. The best thing we can do as fans of Mr King, is to not add to that downside ourselves.

A downside to an infinite supply of satisfyingly crispy crunchy and delectably delicious tasty cookies (ok, some of the "chewy" ones too)?
:eek2:That's insane!
No such cookie downside has existed since the dawn of man (well, since cookies dawned on man...you know what I mean), and don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise:y:!

I don't wish to sound as if I have chip on my shoulder, but it's simply ludicrisply ridiculicious pure sheet...I'll drop it now and you won't catch me raisen it again or you can bar me, but don't sell me short, even if I am slow as molassases sometimes.
I know I know, I'm just trying to butter you up, I can't help it, please don't get frosted with me, wouldn't that just be icing on the cake!
I'd do pinwheels if I could stop, but that's a pretty Toll order for a macaroon like me.
Besides, I'm just feelin' my oats.
(oh major groan:rolleyes:)


I'd love to work through Maine myself, but mainly as to waller (in a most descrete way of course:blush:) in that yummy Atlantic seafood.
Oh my word smear with butter..and, is that a lemon in my pocket or am I just.....
(I'm so happy that's all clarified...yeah yeah yeah, double groan)
:laugh:

[tillyn]

No, I wouldn't include you in that category. There's nothing weird or stalker-ish about wanting to see the places Stephen King writes about in his stories.

I'd like to visit Maine myself at some point, in fact. King's affection for small-town America shines through in much of his work, and it'd be interesting to compare the real Maine with the one I've imagined while reading stories like 'It' and 'Salem's Lot'.

As for the downside of fame, yes, it does come to everyone who's attained celebrity status. The best thing we can do as fans of Mr King, is to not add to that downside ourselves.

Hey, thanks, I like to travel and Maine (i just got my official travel planner in the mail today!) On the upside of this my youngest is excited about traveling to where Sk writes about and lives. He has pumped up his reading and is on IT right now. (anything to get a kid to read!) I enjoy his writing but would absolutely not do anything to invade on his privacy. Not to say if the moment was right and appropriate i might ask for an autograph or pic with me and my son. COME ON WHO COULD RESIST!

[Greasemonkey]

Hey, thanks, I like to travel and Maine (i just got my official travel planner in the mail today!) On the upside of this my youngest is excited about traveling to where Sk writes about and lives. He has pumped up his reading and is on IT right now. (anything to get a kid to read!) I enjoy his writing but would absolutely not do anything to invade on his privacy. Not to say if the moment was right and appropriate i might ask for an autograph or pic with me and my son. COME ON WHO COULD RESIST!

I've never been tempted to approach celebrities for autographs or a chat. As an artist myself, I've always considered the work separate from its creator; I enjoy Stephen King's books, but if I ran into him he'd be just another stranger and we'd likely have very little to talk about. (Not to say, of course, that Mr King isn't a great guy - his friends and family obviously love him, having stuck by him over the years.)

Fame is incredibly over-rated, in my opinion. For one, it produces walking canker sores like Paris Hilton, for another, it provides a platform for annoying celebrities to nag us with their political opinions (Barbara Streissand, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Ted Nugent, why won't you just DIE already!!!).

[tracie]

very well said he is however only human

[Drawn to Ka-tet]

I prefer to leave the man alone and let him write rather than stalk him.

Meeting him at a semi-public booksigning was a real treat that I will never forget. But I didn't bug him when he entered the Odyssey bookstore. He had things to do and I didn't want to be rude.
Long days and pleasant nights.

[Jax]

No Starbuck's huh? Dang, there goes my plan.

:rofl:

[sknut70]

QUOTE]When he sees someone wearing a SK t-shirt does he think "ow cool a fan" or "ow no another one"...[[/QUOTE]

I wore a King shirt to a signing he did in Boston once, and it had his picture on it. It was the study damn it picture. HE pointed and smiled and said HEY LOOK! Its me! that was cool.

but really I live not too far from maine, and I vacation there, and I do like to go to Bangor for the King sightseeing. (no not seeing King, but the inspirations for the books, etc. ) I would love to see him at a restaurant or a movie or something. but I doubt it. and also what would I say if I bumped into him? Dude i love your books. Yea then I'm sure he'd run away.

Lots and lots of people stop by his house in Bangor. I think Ms. Mod or someone told me he is there much at all any more.
It is a really cool looking house

[tillyn]

i wouldn't much be around in Bangor neither , that house is famous in its own right. If you google SK there are many pics. of the house there. I think i would say something to him. If i was in Maine., I probably wouldn't ever get the chance again , considering i live in ONT. Would depend on the situation. I agree with privacy.

[xville]

As long as he didn't cut in line in front of me, I'd leave him alone.

[Richard_B]

I'm going to Bangor later in the year - would I like to see Sai-King? Hell yeah, do I actually, really expect to see him? Hell no. There's a huge difference between hoping (however in vain) to see someone and actively spending all your time trying to track someone down and "engineer" a meeting... or so the lawyers tell me!:wink2:

[busy91]

Well if he's walking down the streets of NYC and he is heading in my direction, why wouldn't I say Hello?

That is providing I don't pass out in the middle of Time Square!! :blush:

[tigerlilly2k]

Something I've noticed from reading this board, is the number of posters who talk about going to Maine in the hope of bumping into Mr King.

The question I have to ask these posters is, what do you guys expect to happen in the very unlikely event that your wish comes true? Stephen King is not your buddy, just because you've bought a bunch of his books. He's not going to invite you back to the house for dinner, or even down to Starbuck's for a quick latte and a cookie or two.

Mr King has a reputation for being gracious when approached by fans, but basically all you'll be doing is pestering a man who cherishes his privacy and gets damned little of it.

I know...you're right, of course. But I do understand! If asked, "Who would you most like to have dinner with?" I would reply, "STEPHEN KING!"

The fantasy, of course, is becoming a I-call-him-and-he-calls-me and-we-hang-out kinda friend. Not gonna happen, of course, but that's the fantasy.

Part of the reason for this, I think, is that SO much of SK, the man shines thru his books. I mean...you can just tell he's a helluva nice guy....the kind of guy you'd WANT to sit and have a beer or two with.

Interestingly, although I loved THE TALISMAN, by SK and Peter Straub...and also loved some of Straub's books....I have no desire to share a beer with him. Now, there's one genuinely creepy guy.

What Im trying to say here, I guess, is that the desire to
know" SK personally is really a great compliment. We want to know him because we can already tell we'd LIKE him just as much "in person".

When I read MISERY I got a giant flash of insight--that to SK, having a total stranger gushing on and on about being his "biggest fan" is possibly not only irritating, but potentially kind of terrifying. I mean...hos is he to know if the Fan is a nutjob?

So....I sadly accept the Truth--I will never meet him...and if I did, I'd have to keep it to, "Would you sign my book, please?"

[tempest]

Misery and Lisey's Story indicate to me that to communicate my appreciation for Stephen King would be to respect his and his family's privacy. I could easily set aside my interest and curiosity to respect someones privacy. I do not expect to meet him, but just enjoy his talents through reading.

[JohnDalglish]

Misery and Lisey's Story indicate to me that to communicate my appreciation for Stephen King would be to respect his and his family's privacy. I could easily set aside my interest and curiosity to respect someones privacy. I do not expect to meet him, but just enjoy his talents through reading.

Hi,

And the crocodile hunters in The Dark Half and Secret Windows, Secret Garden etc.

Long days and pleasant nights

[strange]

I agree that you shouldn't expect to much. Just to talk to the guy or have a book signed is enough really. You cannot hope for more than that or else its going to far. Plus a lot you others are right to say how we tell a lot about him trhough his books, but that doesnt mean he knows us or he will like us etc. You can't expect to much from a person as popular and famous as that because lets face it. Everyone of his fans who like to be his close friend but it will never happen. Sorry if I've repeated a lot of things others have said but there you go

[LadyPain]

Hmmm.. I hadn't posted in this thread, even though I keep up with it a little... I guess it is just me, but the title just doesn't do it for me, ya know. I know what it feels like to be stalked.

I can see how someone might hope to accidentally bump into Stephen, but to deliberately hang out in Bangor and hope for it seems a little creepy to me.

[finalfantasyVII]

I would never stalk Mr. King, but I took a three week road trip fm Fla. back in '94 to my home state of Conn. then to Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally Maine. (mostly to see if we might spot him)...after arriving in Bangor, several Locals told where is house was and we found it..totally awesome. At the time it was sort of a big Victorian style paint deep red with white trim..the coolest part was that surrounding the property was a large wrought-iron black fence with big bats about every 10 ft or so..got about a dozen pics of that still to this day...COOL

[Ri The Lousy Translator]

Fame is incredibly over-rated, in my opinion. For one, it produces walking canker sores like Paris Hilton, for another, it provides a platform for annoying celebrities to nag us with their political opinions (Barbara Streissand, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Ted Nugent, why won't you just DIE already!!!).

Ummmmm... uhhhhhhhh... :eek2: (gasp). Sorry pal, but "Why won't you just DIE already?"? It doesn't sound too... polite, no matter how much those celebrities pi** you off. Wishing death to someone is something nearly to... you know. And you just started a thread about stalking and censurable behaviours. :eek2: Just my opinion. Peace.

[Greasemonkey]

Ummmmm... uhhhhhhhh... :eek2: (gasp). Sorry pal, but "Why won't you just DIE already?"? It doesn't sound too... polite, no matter how much those celebrities pi** you off. Wishing death to someone is something nearly to... you know. And you just started a thread about stalking and censurable behaviours. :eek2: Just my opinion. Peace.

Take a chill pill, compadre. It's just a figure of speech favoured by those of us with a taste for the dramatic.

[Patricia A]

Hmmm interesting thread. I personally would be too embarrassed to stalk someone.
Can you imagine getting caught with your eye on their keyhole I mean really, how could you explain that? Excuse me Mr. King I'm the keyhole inspector on duty here today and at your service?
Imagine the time and money you'd have to commit to this business, and for what?
So you can look like a right idjut in the presence of the person you admire so much, and considering this person doesn't know you from Jack this is not a good first impression is it?
akkk stalking is just stupid.
The cookies do sound tempting though.

[Ri The Lousy Translator]

Take a chill pill, compadre. It's just a figure of speech favoured by those of us with a taste for the dramatic.

OK, great. Understood. The phrase just sounded a little inconvenient if you took it literally, given the thread... Chilling now (but it has to be COMADRE, since I'm a girl, COMPADRE is a masculine noun). :biggrin2: Or I'd feel awkward too. :wink2: Peace.

[Ri The Lousy Translator]

On the other hand (sorry, I forgot), I'd feel too ashamed to even say hi if I ever meet Stephen. Besides my oral English is lousier than my written one, so... I don't think he would like to be aproached with a red faced woman uttering like Tarzan. :biggrin2: On a previous thread I think I said I'd probably smile at him and do some hats off kind of sign. I like to have my privacy respected, so the nicest thing to do (IMO) is to respect his. Howeverrrrrrrrrrrr, I'm not saying a photo with him wouldn't be a nice memory. :smile2: I guess that as long as you're not bothering him while he's chewing his hotdog or taking a shower, and IF he agrees with you to exchange some words, it's OK. I think people should understand that being famous don't entitle people to try to own every minute of that person's life just because he/she's famous. Unless you have a thing for being worshiped by strangers, it must be a pain in the... back to have people screaming at you and commanding you to take pictures and sign papers and grabbing your clothes, etcetera etcetera. And according to what has been stated previously, Uncle Steve seems to be a quiet guy. I don't see him wanting a crowd of groupies all around. Some pals around here clearly proved to have approached him in a nice, polite way and I'm sure he's thankful about that.

[Desiree]

Sure wish I had seen this thread before I sent 4 easy payments of $29.95 for my "Stephen King Stalker Kit"!

[Nero]

No, it's not that I'm being negative about people's motivations. It's natural to want to meet in person someone you admire, and I don't think most of Mr King's fans are anything like that crazy broad who used to stalk him and break into his home.

What I'm saying is that if you're planning on travelling to Maine in the hope of meeting Stephen King, you probably haven't thought it through. Sure, there's a slight probability you might be in Bangor at the exact moment that SK drops into town for a newspaper and some groceries, but what then? Chances are that you'll be the eight-hundred-and-thirty-seven-thousandth person to say, "Wow, Mr King! It's really you! I've read all your books - that's some scary sh*t, man!", and Stephen King will reply, "Thanks buddy/Ma'am, that's very kind of you. Have a nice day, now", and you'll have spent all that money and time travelling to Maine for five seconds of conversation with someone to whom you are just a random stranger.

Meh. People can dream, even if the dreams are pretty out there. There's nothing wrong with having someone you admire so much that you want to see the world around them that inspires them to create. Especially with books, they mean different things to different people depending on memories or events in their lives.

For some readers, the mere possibility that those five seconds of random conversation (even if it were as pessimistic as your illustration) could even take place, giving them the briefest opportunity to attempt to show their appreciation, would be worth all that money and time travelling to Maine and perhaps more.

While this wouldn't be a trip I would necessarily make, others likely feel differently and I wouldn't set out to burst their bubble for no logical reason. Who knows, had I the spare time and resources I might do the same.

[Antony butterworth]

Hello fans of the king

ifwe ever met him and could take a photo and we where allowed to ask just one question what would we ask

[MyLife4YouSK]

Sure wish I had seen this thread before I sent 4 easy payments of $29.95 for my "Stephen King Stalker Kit"!


:rofl: omg., this had me rolling.

MUCH RESPECT, Steve!

Hey, instead of Manchester, England(if you were thinking UK) for an Under the Dome book signing how about, Manchester, NH? No scary plane ride necessary. Peace + love, CJ

[Greasemonkey]

While this wouldn't be a trip I would necessarily make, others likely feel differently and I wouldn't set out to burst their bubble for no logical reason.


Which makes it a good thing that this thread has solid logic as its underpinning.

In short, if people genuinely like and admire Stephen King because his writing has touched them in some way, they also have to accept that the best thing they can do for him is to respect his privacy. Rather than journeying to Maine in the hope of buttonholing Mr King on his way to the store, fans can pursue the legitimate outlets available for expressing appreciation for his work; wait for a book signing and meet him in person, or post your thoughts here on the forum.