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I once entered a short story competition in the Guardian that you judged, but I didn’t win. Is it just a matter of persistence until something clicks? Or is it better to accept that I might not have the talent rather than chase an impossible dream?
EvolAnth:
It’s not necessarily about lacking talent. I believe everyone has talent—it just needs to be developed. The more you write, the more you enjoy it. And when you have talent, you want to keep doing it.
You signed my copy of Christine with “Keep on screaming for vengeance” because I was wearing a Judas Priest badge. Is music still important to you?
RobFrampton:
Absolutely. I’ve moved on from Judas Priest—I couldn’t get the rights to use lyrics from You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ for my novel Duma Key (2008). These days, I listen to Rancid, Nazareth, Anthrax, and Metallica.
I don’t play music when I’m writing fresh material—it’s too distracting. But when I’m editing, I like club music or disco, something with a steady beat that flows in one ear and out the other. Today, I was listening to zydeco and LCD Soundsystem—I love North American Scum, Losing My Edge, and Daft Punk Is Playing at My House.
Pampers:
Do you still sneak into bookstores and sign copies of your books when no one’s looking?
If I can slip in and out unnoticed, sure. The last time was at a bookstore near me in western Maine—I signed some copies of Never Flinch and You Like It Darker.
I don’t love formal signings because you can’t get to everyone. On my last tour, I had to sign 400 books randomly picked from 1,000, so it was luck of the draw. Still, that’s better than facing an endless line of people holding two or three books each—that’s exhausting.
JamesZZZ:
People call you “prolific”—is that a choice, or can you just not stop writing?
What else am I supposed to do with those extra hours between 9 AM and noon? Watch game shows? I could take a walk, but I’d still be thinking about my next project. Honestly, I’m just entertaining myself.
otterley:
Do you still write all your books in Microsoft Word?
Mostly, yes. Sometimes I’ll draft longhand in the morning and type it up later. But Word is easier for editing—I can go back and tweak things. I’m no tech expert, so if something goes wrong, I call my IT guy.
biscoff:
Why are things scarier the more legs they have?
There’s some truth to that. I just read Adrian Tchaikovsky’s City of Last Chances, where a centipede-like monster in a pit grabs victims with its many legs, pierces their flesh, and bites off their heads. Terrifying.
Creatures like that are scary because they’re not like us—they’re alien.
LowerColon:
Who do you read for fun on vacation? I revisit P.G. Wodehouse.
I don’t read Wodehouse. I lean toward British mysteries—right now, it’s The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke, set on a Scottish island where people are trapped. It’s really good.
Norahseel56:
I’m working on a master’s thesis about Holly Gibney’s evolution from minor character to heroine across seven books. Any insights?
I kind of fell in love with her. She started as almost a joke character…
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Holly Gibney was originally a minor character—just a walk-on part, really. She was clearly dominated by her overbearing mother, while her father was a pushover. In Mr. Mercedes, when Jerome Robinson seeks her out for her computer skills, they hit it off, and that’s when she started becoming a real, three-dimensional character. The more I wrote about her, the more intrigued I became, and she grew more confident and compelling. She still struggles with insecurity, isn’t married, and may not even have had a boyfriend—I’m not sure if she’s a virgin, since I haven’t dug too deep into her backstory. But by her third book appearance, she stole the show.
What’s the farthest you’ve gotten into a book before deciding it wasn’t working and scrapping it?
There was one called The Cannibals, set in an apartment building where people were trapped. It had potential, but I didn’t know where to take it, so I shelved it after about 200 pages. Sometimes you just hit a wall and move on to something more doable.
Does Roland Deschain (The Dark Tower) wear a hat? My partner and I disagree.
Some illustrations show him with one, but I never pictured him that way.
I’m in art school and want to be a horror writer. What part-time job would give good inspiration?
Manual labor—what we call blue-collar work—is great for writers. I worked in a mill once, cleaning out rat-infested basements, and that inspired a story. You don’t want a cushy desk job; real-life grit fuels better writing.
If fear had a color, would it be monochrome or varied?
Dark blue fading into black. You need enough color to glimpse what’s lurking in the shadows.
How would you end the “Trumpian America” story?
Impeachment would be a good ending—I’d love to see him retired. The bad ending? A third term and total takeover. Either way, it’s a horror story.
Does Stranger Things feel like a Stephen King novel to you?
Not as much as people say. The Duffer Brothers grew up on my work, but they’ve made it their own. It’s more them than me, and that’s why it’s great.
Who should play you in a biopic?
I’d love a handsome lead, but Brad Pitt’s out of my league. At my age, maybe Christopher Lloyd or Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks).
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People are always asking about my dark secrets. Is there anything cute or quirky about myself I’d like to share? Laughs Can’t tell you.
When a new film or TV adaptation of your work comes along, does it excite you or make you groan?
[Image: Tom Hiddleston and Annalise Basso in The Life of Chuck, the latest Stephen King film adaptation.]
I still get excited when someone turns my work into a movie. Earlier this year, I was eager to see The Monkey and The Life of Chuck. I’m also really looking forward to Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man, which was filmed in England.
I don’t write with movies in mind—I just focus on telling a good story that I and others will enjoy. Whatever happens to it afterward is fine. I like films, but they’re a different thing altogether, like comparing apples and oranges.
If you could choose, would you rather have the ability to teleport (like in The Jaunt), a time-traveling pantry (like in 11/22/63), or a shop where you can buy your deepest desire (like in Needful Things)?
I’d steer clear of time travel—too much risk of messing things up. Teleportation? I’d probably end up fused with a fly, and I’ve seen that movie—no thanks. As for my greatest desire? Honestly, I’ve got everything I need. Two pairs of clean jeans in my drawer, and—here’s a confession—I’m a bit of a shoe guy. I love shoes. Women get all these amazing styles, and I’m a little jealous. I’ve got about 20 pairs myself—sneakers, boots, you name it. Some people might call that crazy, but I bet plenty of women reading this will say, “Try 50 pairs!”
I have really vivid, bizarre dreams—my husband jokes they’re like something out of a Stephen King novel. Has any of your work been inspired by dreams?
There was one about an abandoned refrigerator full of flying leeches. That definitely made it into a story.
You’ve mentioned disliking February, the number 13, and interviews. Is that still true?
Back when I was a struggling young writer, I’d imagine giving all these clever, witty interview answers. Now that I’m actually doing them, I just end up stammering, “Uh… um… er…” Be careful what you wish for—you might actually get it.
The Life of Chuck hits theaters on August 20.
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FAQS
### **FAQs About “Trump is a nightmare, isn’t he?” – Stephen King on Villains, Hidden Truths, and Dreams**
#### **Basic Questions**
**1. What did Stephen King mean by calling Trump “a nightmare”?**
King was expressing his view that Trump’s behavior and presidency felt chaotic and unsettling, much like a villain in a horror story.
**2. Was Stephen King talking about Trump as a fictional villain?**
Not literally, but King often compares real-world figures to dark characters in his stories, suggesting Trump embodies traits of a destructive antagonist.
**3. Does Stephen King often comment on politics?**
Yes, King is vocal about his political views on social media, frequently criticizing Trump and other conservative figures.
#### **Deeper Insights**
**4. How does Stephen King’s view of Trump relate to his writing on villains?**
King’s villains often represent hidden societal fears—Trump, in his view, reflects real-world authoritarianism and division.
**5. Has King written about Trump in his fiction?**
Not directly, but themes of corrupt leadership and societal collapse in books like *The Dead Zone* and *The Stand* mirror his concerns about Trump-like figures.
**6. What “hidden truths” might King be referring to?**
He likely means the dangers of unchecked power, propaganda, and how fear can manipulate people—common themes in his horror stories.
#### **Connections to Dreams & Storytelling**
**7. Why does King link Trump to nightmares?**
Nightmares symbolize uncontrollable fear—King sees Trump’s impact as similarly destabilizing.
**8. Does King believe reality is becoming like a horror story?**
In some ways, yes. He’s suggested that recent political events feel like dystopian fiction.
**9. How does King’s understanding of fear apply to Trump?**
King believes fear is a powerful tool—Trump’s rhetoric, in his view, exploits fear to control people, much like villains in his books.
#### **Practical & Cultural Questions**
**10. Has Stephen King’s criticism of Trump affected his career?**
Some fans disagree with his politics, but his outspokenness hasn’t hurt his success.
**11. Do other writers share King’s perspective?**
Many authors (e.g., Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman
