The variety of themes. From post - apocalyptic in 'The Stand' to the supernatural in 'Pet Sematary'. He also has a knack for building suspense over time. His novels often start with a slow build - up that hooks the reader and then takes them on a wild and often terrifying ride.
Stephen King's writing style. He has a way of creating vivid and relatable characters. For example, in 'Misery', the relationship between the writer and his deranged fan is both disturbing and engaging. This makes readers care about what happens to the characters, even as they are plunged into horror situations.
His ability to create complex characters also contributes to their popularity. His characters are not just one - dimensional. They have their own backstories, motives, and flaws. In 'The Shining', the character of Jack Torrance is a complex man with his own inner demons. Also, King has a great sense of pacing in his stories. He knows when to build up tension and when to release it, like in 'It' where the encounters with Pennywise are spaced out in a way that keeps the reader on edge throughout the book. And his use of real - life settings makes his stories seem more relatable. Small - town America, which is often the backdrop of his novels, gives readers a sense of familiarity.
His ability to create terrifying and vivid characters. For example, Pennywise in 'It' is so iconic and scary.
The horror elements. Stephen King is known for his horror, and 'It' has some really terrifying scenes. Pennywise the clown is a very scary villain.
One reason is his ability to create intense horror. For example, in 'The Mist', the unknown creatures in the mist make readers feel a sense of dread. Another factor is his unique characters. In 'Children of the Corn', the children with their strange beliefs are very memorable. Also, his plots often have unexpected twists like in 'I Know What You Need' where the man's true motives are slowly revealed.
One reason is his ability to create really vivid and terrifying horror. For example, in 'The Shining', the description of the haunted hotel is so detailed that it feels real.
His ability to create vivid and terrifying monsters. For example, in 'It', Pennywise is so well - described that it easily creeps into readers' minds. The detailed and grotesque features of the monsters make them unforgettable.
His ability to create vivid and terrifying creatures. For example, in 'It', the clown Pennywise is so iconic. It scares readers with its shape - shifting abilities and its malevolent nature.
Moreover, King often taps into universal fears. Whether it's the fear of the unknown, as in 'The Dark Tower' series, or the fear of being trapped, as in '1408'. His novels can resonate with a wide range of audiences because they touch on these basic human emotions. Also, his works span different genres to some extent, not just pure horror, which attracts more readers.
The horror elements. Stephen King is a master at creating terrifying situations. His descriptions are so vivid that it makes the readers feel like they are in the story. For example, in 'The Shining', the creepy hallways of the Overlook Hotel come alive in the reader's mind.