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Essay / The Life and Legacy of Stephen King
Table of ContentsEarly Life and CareerRise to FamePersonal LifeProfessional AchievementsLegacy and InfluenceConclusionStephen King's name needs no introduction, as he is one of the authors the most successful and prolific of all time. Born in Maine in 1947, King has been writing professionally since the early 1970s and has published more than 60 novels and 200 short stories, many of which have been adapted into popular films and television shows. King's work spans multiple genres, including horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy, and he has become a household name for his ability to terrify and captivate readers of all ages. This profile essay will explore King's life and career, his rise to fame, his personal life, his professional achievements, and his lasting legacy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayEarly life and careerStephen King was born in Portland, Maine on September 21, 1947, to Donald and Nellie Ruth King. His father abandoned the family when King was just two years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his older brother David alone. Despite financial difficulties, King's childhood was relatively happy and he was a bright and curious child who loved reading and writing. King attended the University of Maine and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1970. While in college, he wrote for the school newspaper and published short stories in literary journals. After graduating, King worked a series of odd jobs, including as a teacher and janitor, while continuing to write in his spare time. In 1973, he sold his first novel, Carrie, for an advance of $2,500, which would change his life. Rise to Fame Carrie was a critical and commercial success and launched King's career as a professional writer. The novel tells the story of a teenage girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied by her classmates and tormented by her abusive mother. The book struck a chord with readers and was adapted into a popular film in 1976. Over the next few years, King published several bestselling novels, including Salem's Lot, The Shining, and The Stand. His books were known for their vivid characters, gripping plots, and terrifying images, and he quickly became one of the most popular and influential writers of his generation. King's fame allowed him to quit his day job and focus on writing full-time, which he continues to do today. Personal life King has been married to his wife, Tabitha, since 1971, and they have three children together. He has spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and alcoholism, which he wrote about in his memoir, On Writing. King is also a lifelong Red Sox fan and has written several nonfiction books about baseball, as well as a fiction novel called Blockade Billy. King's personal life has at times been controversial, particularly in the 1980s, when he was criticized for his portrayal of women and his use of graphic violence in his books. He has also been vocal about his political beliefs and has consistently criticized former President Donald Trump. Professional Accomplishments King's professional accomplishments are too numerous to list exhaustively, but they include dozens of best-selling novels, numerous awards and countless adaptations of his work for cinema and television. Some of his most famous books include The Dark Tower series, IT, Misery and Pet Sematary. He also wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman and has.