They become very judgmental. And the judging starts with their thoughts on Stephen King. They tell me what kind of guy he is. Weird and creepy. Which translates to, I must be weird and creepy. Without making this hot topic, political and christian people start praising the lord and passing the ammunition.
After they put him down (back handedly putting me down) my first question is, "Have you ever read a Stephen King book or watched him discuss a topic on youtube or TV?" Almost always, they say no. And that's when I say, "How can you have an opinion when you have never read one of his books or listened to him speak on a topic? Shut the hell up." And I have said that. I have told people to shut the hell up.
Now. Depending on the book, their assessment might be validated -- when it comes to the stories. We all know the stories can be ghastly, weird and creepy. But, we have an imagination. We can separate the creation from the creator. The Mrs. Carmody's of the world have no imagination. None. They can't fathom that a work of fiction is creativity, make believe. These writings must be the measure of the man. These must be personal stories, terrifying revelations and dark desires.
But, how many of us really know Stephen King personally? By all the interviews he's given (where the same question is asked and the same answer is given over and over for years where we learn nothing new because interviewers squander the opportunity,) well...not many insights are bestowed on us there.
We do "see" him more in real time by all the random things he's posted or said on twitter -- and I think he's a pretty cool guy. These wonderful serendipitous moments are so fun. I've always said I enjoy the non-fiction Stephen King more than the fictional one -- and that fictional guy has entertained me beyond words.
So back to Plato's Cave and the shadow watchers -- If they would read a book AND watch him speak on a variety of topics to get a really good picture of the man, and then they want to comment, I would give them the time of day.
Until then, shut the hell up.