Stephen King's writing style?

Question

Just reading another question regarding Stephen King and someone responded saying that his writing style changed after the accident. I think it changed slightly before - he became focused on stories involving individuals - and is a result of his style evolving with age and experience and maybe a desire to try something different. What do you think?

Answer 1

I agree that his style has evolved with age and experience, but there are discrepancies. I read "Cell" and it could have been published right along with "The Shining" years ago. And then there's "Lisey's Story" which is in a category of its own, completely different than any of his other novels. And I love it!

A lot of it may have to do with the fact that he was heavily on drugs while writing some of his books. He said in "On Writing" that he doesn't even remember writing huge portions of them!

But I do agree 100% about focusing on individuals more than his early days. Especially for a period in the '90's when he wrote "Gerald's Game," "Delores Claiborne," "Rose Madder," etc. they were focused on one individual as opposed to multiple characters like "The Stand." But "Carrie" was pretty character focused too, and that was his first book.

King's strength has always been the way he writes characters, which I feel is really unmatchable in other popular contemporary authors. But there is no doubt that now he's better as a writer than he was a few decades ago.

As a side note, I also think his novels have become increasingly focused on more serious life issues and ultimate questions of the universe like God. Although they've always had the good/evil dichotomy.

I could talk about this for days so I'll stop now. :)

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Stephen King's writing style?
Just reading another question regarding Stephen King and someone responded saying that his writing style changed after the accident. I think it changed slightly before - he became focused on stories involving individuals - and is a result of his style evolving with age and experience and maybe a...

Answer 3

Well I really enjoyed his earlier books, right from Carrie at the start, and I seemed to prefer the original ones (reading Dreamcatcher at the moment) but then again I read Cell a few weeks ago and loved it...

I dont neccessarily have any preference over his older books or his changed style, but yes, they are noticeably different. The only Stephen King book that didn't interest me was the Dark Tower series... my girlfriend read them all and loved them but can't say I was ever interested, but maybe one day I'll give them another shot.

His writing has indeed changed with each book. I agree with you on the indivdual thing - some of my favourites like Firestarter and Misery have very focused stroylines that follow one or two characters and by expanding this he's done the right thing, it lets you get to grips with the characters more I think.

Answer 4

Most of King's books take place in Maine, the state in which he lives, and almost died a few years back. He speaks a great deal about forests and the surprises that might be found in them. Yes, he does also speak of rural midwestern states and areas, but most of his writing centers in Maine ... take for example, Gerald's Game.

Answer 5

I agree that his writing has changed since the accident. But do I really care? No I don't. People who are disappointed with his new writings should just shush. We almost lost the greatest horror writer of OUR times. Be thankful to who or what ever higher power you believe in that we did not lose the creator of so many of our "NIGHTMARES AND DREAMSCAPES"! I will always read his stories.Stephen you ARE the King of Horror.

Answer 6

i find that his stories change regarding who the story focuses on. carrie had about 5 or 6 general characters that had developed over the course of the novel. pet cemetary and cujo had more people, although cujo evolved to just two people trapped in a car. look at his later works like gerald's game and the girl who loved tom gordon; the main character ares are alone for most of the duration. so true, i totally agree with you. i think it was more of a personal choice to write about individuals rather than a plethora of people.

Answer 7

I think personally his style has changed slightly, but its the same as Dean Koontz. I prefer both of their older material, because to me it made my imagination run wild

Answer 8

I thought he always used Times New Roman !? Did he change to Book Antique then or something else? And was it in bold ?

Answer 9

I dont like his style anymore.

Answer 10

Radical chic.