No One Knows Mr. King Like We Know Mr. King

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Christine62

Christine62

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Nov 7, 2013
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Almost every time I mention that I love Stephen King (okay actually LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!) the person I am speaking to says, "Oh I can't read him--he's too scary" All they know from Stephen King is what they have seen on TV. So I start to tell them stories, his stories. Trying to peel away the layers of horror that popular culture wrapped him in. I want to show them the profiles of humanity that exist ever clearer in his works (can't comment on Mr. Mercedes, the audiobook should be waiting for me when I leave my sisters in San Antonio and return to Okc). But Mr. King has been pigeon-holed. My question is....how do we, his constant readers, set him free?
 
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VultureLvr45

VultureLvr45

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Mar 15, 2012
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I hear you chickie, and also feel compelled to say "Did you like Shawshank Redemption or The Green Mile?" If they nod, I say he wrote them. Sometimes if I know someone is a history buff, I will mention 11-22-63. Tailor the recommended book to an interest.

A couple things, if people are really 'closed minded', I let them go on and don't try to change their view. People have a right to a (wrong, differing, or dissenting) opinion even if it shows them to be (backward, a jerk, or intolerant). Rather not waste my energy if probably won't help.

Reading Rose Madder today. I am also working on a quilt that will also be donated to a womens shelter (started a quilting group at our church- three quilts in the works so far). At the next meeting, I'm going to ask who has read that story. It will be a good lead in for discussion while we quilt.
 
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Christine62

Christine62

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Nov 7, 2013
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Oklahoma City
VultureLvr45 said:
I hear you chickie, and also feel compelled to say "Did you like Shawshank Redemption or The Green Mile?" If they nod, I say he wrote them. Sometimes if I know someone is a history buff, I will mention 11-22-63. Tailor the recommended book to an interest.

A couple things, if people are really 'closed minded', I let them go on and don't try to change their view. People have a right to a (wrong, differing, or dissenting) opinion even if it shows them to be (backward, a jerk, or intolerant). Rather not waste my energy if probably won't help.

Reading Rose Madder today. I am also working on a quilt that will also be donated to a womens shelter (started a quilting group at our church- three quilts in the works so far). At the next meeting, I'm going to ask who has read that story. It will be a good lead in for discussion while we quilt.
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Wow, what a great idea for service to the community!
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
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Apr 11, 2006
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VultureLvr45 said:
I hear you chickie, and also feel compelled to say "Did you like Shawshank Redemption or The Green Mile?" If they nod, I say he wrote them. Sometimes if I know someone is a history buff, I will mention 11-22-63. Tailor the recommended book to an interest.

A couple things, if people are really 'closed minded', I let them go on and don't try to change their view. People have a right to a (wrong, differing, or dissenting) opinion even if it shows them to be (backward, a jerk, or intolerant). Rather not waste my energy if probably won't help.

Reading Rose Madder today. I am also working on a quilt that will also be donated to a womens shelter (started a quilting group at our church- three quilts in the works so far). At the next meeting, I'm going to ask who has read that story. It will be a good lead in for discussion while we quilt.
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Pictures of the quilt!!!!!
 
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RandallFlagg19

RandallFlagg19

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May 5, 2014
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Fantastic post and question. I recommend try introducing people to Stephen King through audio book. An audio book, not like a movie, will not be a stripped and distorted version of the story. I think for most people audio books take less time and effort than reading, so it might be a good solution for someone opposed to reading or reading a specific author. You might also ask someone if they would be willing to listen to an audio story; forward past the introduction announcing it’s by the author Stephen King and let the audio book story speak for itself.
 
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Christine62

Christine62

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Nov 7, 2013
493
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Oklahoma City
Well that's how my sister lured me in she was trying to get me to listen to 11-22-63 on audiobook but I thought it would be boring so I picked Lisey's Story and then went back to the former which was awesome. I sure hope this visual technology doesn't sound the deathnell to reading--it seems no one reads anymore unless it's a post on facebook about a soldier sleeping with his dark standing guard.
 
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blunthead

blunthead

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Aug 2, 2006
80,755
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Atlanta GA
Christine62 said:
Almost every time I mention that I love Stephen King (okay actually LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!) the person I am speaking to says, "Oh I can't read him--he's too scary" All they know from Stephen King is what they have seen on TV. So I start to tell them stories, his stories. Trying to peel away the layers of horror that popular culture wrapped him in. I want to show them the profiles of humanity that exist ever clearer in his works (can't comment on Mr. Mercedes, the audiobook should be waiting for me when I leave my sisters in San Antonio and return to Okc). But Mr. King has been pigeon-holed. My question is....how do we, his constant readers, set him free?
Click to expand...
I think what we as Skeemers can do is continue spreading the word in our various ways and walks. Meanwhile, the media does more and more to turn people on to who sK really is. I usually get a positive response from people who find out I read him. I tell them to check out the SKMB, and that there are new books out. Rarely do I find someone who's as much of a fan as we are, though. Even then sometimes they never visit the SKMB. There's a person I've known for over a year who has all of sK's books, who named her dog Susan Delgado, and who has yet to check us out. So, I think we can have this or that much effect and that's it per individual.
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
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blunthead said:
I think what we as Skeemers can do is continue spreading the word in our various ways and walks. Meanwhile, the media does more and more to turn people on to who sK really is. I usually get a positive response from people who find out I read him. I tell them to check out the SKMB, and that there are new books out. Rarely do I find someone who's as much of a fan as we are, though. Even then sometimes they never visit the SKMB. There's a person I've known for over a year who has all of sK's books, who named her dog Susan Delgado, and who has yet to check us out. So, I think we can have this or that much effect and that's it per individual.
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No one understands me except my oldest son. We are two peas in a pod. Although, he is not a fan of Stephen King , but he understands. and as I mentioned on here before, anytime anything bad happens in the world, my children blame Stephen King. Obviously they do it to rile me up and think it's sooooo funny.
 
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skimom2

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
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That's a big problem with an author being 'branded' (or branding him/her self). Mr. King was branded 'America's Horror King' long ago, and it was very successfully done. At this point, nothing much will change that on a large scale (look at the review buzz for Mr. Mercedes-99% horror themed, though there's nary a hint of the supernatural there). All we can do as Constant Readers is let those we know & want to 'convert' know the reality. Write reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, personal blogs (if you go that route) that are honest about content. Above all, tell what we all know: Mr. King is a fine author-no genre qualifier needed.
 
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