Stephen King's 1980 short stories were important for his career in multiple ways. They continued to establish his voice in the horror genre. His ability to create suspense and fear in a shorter format in 1980 showed his versatility as a writer. These stories could have also inspired other writers, which in turn enhanced his status in the literary world. Moreover, they provided a platform for him to explore different aspects of horror, from the supernatural to the psychological, which he could then draw on in his future works.
His 1981 novel might have solidified his reputation as a master of horror. By this time, he had already written several works, but this particular novel could have contributed by showing his growth as a writer. It could have reached a wider audience, which in turn increased the popularity of his other works. Also, it might have influenced the way he approached subsequent novels in terms of plot development and character creation.
It was a starting point. It helped him develop his style. He could learn from the feedback and his own assessment of this first short story to improve in later works.
Famous lines often serve as a sort of mantra for the horror. In 'The Dark Tower' series, lines like 'The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.' This line not only sets the stage for an epic journey but also gives a sense of the unending pursuit and the desolate world in which the story takes place. It draws the reader in and makes them feel part of the journey and the danger.
Well, in many of his stories, the settings are ordinary places that take on a menacing quality. A small town that should be a place of safety becomes a place of horror. The familiarity of a home, like in 'The Amityville Horror' - style settings in some of his works, is turned on its head. The home becomes a place where the walls seem to have eyes and the attic or basement holds unspeakable terrors. The settings make the reader constantly on edge, not knowing when the ordinary will turn into the extraordinary and terrifying.
Key words like 'horror' and'supernatural' immediately set a spooky mood. They make the reader expect something terrifying.
The background of 'It' adds to the horror by creating a sense of an ancient and unstoppable evil. The idea that it resurfaces every 27 years makes it seem like an inescapable cycle of terror. And the fact that it preys on children's fears is really disturbing.
Stephen King's 2015 stories added to the horror genre by maintaining his status as a master of horror. His works continued to set the standard for how to create a spooky atmosphere. They contributed by introducing new and terrifying concepts that other horror writers could be inspired by.
It got him noticed. 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' showed his talent for humor and character creation.
Some of Stephen King's novels contain sexual scenes that can serve multiple purposes in the overall narrative. For example, they can be used to develop characters more fully, showing their desires, vulnerabilities, or the darker aspects of their personalities. In some cases, these scenes can also add to the atmosphere of a story, creating a sense of unease or realism. However, not all of his novels have such scenes, and when they do, they are usually a part of a much larger and complex storytelling structure.
The quotes add a sense of dread. For example, in 'Pet Sematary', 'Sometimes, dead is better.' This short but impactful quote immediately makes the reader feel a sense of unease. It makes you think about the unnatural and often terrifying things that are going to happen in the story related to death and the beyond.