I wonder... (on style)

[Lachias]

I really wonder how Stephen King came up with his type of ideas. I'm not talking about book ideas, that comes TO him. I'm wondering about his horror techniques like foreshadowing and then having the reader momentarily forget about that and then shoving it into their face chapters later and the reader goes OH SHOOT FORGOT ABOUT THAT. Or his way of making sure the reader feels time passing by by shooting up his paragraphs with thoughts and dialogue. I suppose the latter is his 'situational' philosophy, and his 'ability to just overwrite' but I wonder... is there any other things that you all think his unique style affects the quality and shaping of his work?
Any other things that you notice Old Stephen has done that really you cant find with any other author?
And in what ways do you think that H.P Lovecraft has really shone through his writing?
Let's look to see what you notice :-)

[Doc Wilson]

The only thing I find him to have in common with Lovecraft is his penchant for making up words, though the story N from the new collection is an exception, its very Lovecraftian.

I think his biggest gift is in writing believable dialogue and making you like his characters so you want to find out what happens to them.

[Bryan James]

From what I've observed (and I think I am justified by relating such things as I doubt we'll get a more definitive answer than what resides in 'On Writing'), at first, the Story gets jammed out. And the Story is always the Ultimate Main Character. Then, during the rewrite, He says (yes, says, not thinks) "Oh, well, I like that, and now I can do this here then..."

For every time you've read a book of his, he's probably read it 50 times. Start and back, where was that phrase with the guy in the boat and the bundle, need to tweak it, then more back and see-saw. THEN professional editing! I imagine that is like getting a colonoscopy on a rollercoaster.

Like a famous sculptor of stone one said, "I just chip away everything that is not the form I desire."

Long story short, read a lot (of good and bad), watch soap operas, watch crappy television that you'd be embarassed to be seen watching. The cool thing about that last part is, you can always refer to it as "Research" if you get caught!

You've got to put in the time if you want to make the dime.

BJS

[staropeace]

I dont fancy Lovecraft...if I cant pronounce....I bloody well wont read it.

[Bostonbaby_21]

I totally agree!
I'm currently reading Pet Semetary for the first time, and when Luis thought that there was a difference between Jud's stories of when his dog died. And I just could not remember what the first story was. Then he said it and I was like OH YAH! Lol... I love Stephrn King.

[Balrog21]

To me, Stephen has his very own unique style, which is why I think everyone enjoys his books so much. But this style has come to him after many readings, and his many journeys into writing while he was younger, while he honed his craft.
People often ask me how I describe reading Stephen King. I think I have summed it up pretty well for me. I tell them, "Reading Stephen King is like sitting in your favorite comfy chair, you know the one you always want to sit in and snuggle into at night or during the afternoon. It's a comfy fit and there is no better place in the world at that time." That's the way it is for me, he is so easy to read and the story and pages just seem to fly on by without you even realizing it.
I really think he really did himself a disservice when he said he was the Mac and Fries of the literary world. To me he is more of the good ole' Steak and Mashed Potatoes, Rice and Gravy, and some truly great dessert, but that is just me, I am a Southern Boy and there is nothing better than that to me!
But to me what breaks all the molds and brings all the barriers down is a three world phrase that no other author in today's age can do for me. He talks a little about in two books. It's a pretty simple idea, but to make it happen requires the most excellent skill and that is Suspension of Disbelief.
For me Lovecraft doesn't really shine through in too many of his writings, there are a few, but those are when he paid homage to them. To me there are no true novels in which Lovecraft shines through to me.
I have to cut this short for now, when I get back I will continue this post..
Best,
Bal

[Atlana]

I think you should probably ask Stephen King him self your questions.
No one can really say how an author gets his/hers ideas.
Ideas come to people in many different ways. I myself can not describe it.

[Mr Nobody]

In all honesty, he probably doesn't know himself. Ask any writer not where they get their ideas from, but why they write what they do and they'll be just as stumped. I know I have no idea where my ideas emerge from or why they take the form they do, nor do I have any clue really where the elements of style come from. For example, I recently worked up a story for submission to a mag and passed it to my g/f. She started chuckling and said 'Nice. A suddenly violent character called Serena'.
It wasn't until then that I realized what I'd done. Her eventual actions were known to me, vaguely, not far into the story (originally she was the victim, but the story wanted to twist so I let it). Her name, though, just appeared on screen. I was lost in the writing of the story, the words were spinning themselves out in my head and zipping to my fingers, and there it was. It's all subconscious and I couldn't tell you what goes on down there...and that's probably just as well.