I don’t usually read really long books. But there are a few authors whose longer books are so intense, and I get into them so deeply, that I never want them to end. One of those authors is Stephen King. He’s a master at character development and story telling. I was just listening to his long “author’s note” at the beginning of his short story collection, “The Bazaar of Bad Dreams”, where he talks about the difference between long novels and short stories. He called a novel an “immersive experience”. That’s exactly what it is. I’ve been trying to figure out what to call how I feel when reading his longer work, and that’s it. There are VERY few authors who give me an immersive experience. That’s why I usually read shorter novels and novellas. Yes, I’m entertained. But I’m not immersed. King said when you’re immersed like that, it’s not like having an affair, it’s like being married. You never want the book to end. In most books, I can’t wait until I’m done so I can start on the next one, then the next one, etc. But with King and a few others, I want it to go on and on.
He also said short stories were hard to write. He said it takes a lot of work to write something that short and make it work. I find that to be SO true. Most short stories leave me unsatisfied. It’s like they come to an abrupt end, and I’m like “what just happened?”. King is as good at short stories as he is with those LONG novels. I’ve written a couple of short stories, and I’ve always tried to make sure they have a satisfying ending. That’s what I want from a short story.
Another thing he said was that he was still learning his craft. The KING of horror said he’s still learning. That should give all authors the determination to keep learning, keep perfecting, keep writing.
Honestly, I don’t think I have the talent to ever write a story like Stephen King does. But I want to strive for that. This is the biggest reason I want to quit my day job…so I can spend time working on my craft. It takes time. It takes dedication. It even takes courage, I think.
So I’ve been thinking about my genre lately. I have a sequel to Soul of a Vampire coming out in 2016, which is paranormal romance. Most of my paranormal romances are pretty dark, so I lean a little toward horror in those. I have a possible science fiction romance I want to write. But I’m wondering if I ought to do some more horror. The Gnome and Hearts of Evil were really fun to write. The Gnome was most definitely horror, and I would categorize Hearts of Evil as at least light horror. Horror has always been my first love in my reading genre. Something to think about.
What about you? What author gives you an immersive experience? If you’re an author, what author would you strive to be most like? Do you like to read long or short works? What’s your favorite genre?
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What a great post, Lauralynn. I’m a Stephen King fan, but a few of his books are a little too dark for me. I do think he is a master storyteller. My favorites are The Shining, Salem’s Lot, It, and Bag of Bones.
When it comes to books, I generally prefer longer “immersive” novels, as long as the characters and settings are developed enough to whisk me away. My favorite authors never fail to deliver. They are the writing team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child who write about a thoroughly mesmerizing character named Aloysius X.L. Pendergast. I eagerly await each book they release. Fortunately, their latest, CRIMSON SHORE just came out today. They write in the thriller/mystery genre, but their books usually incorporate a blend of horror and some historical tie-in.
Squeee! Another Pendergast fan! I just bought the audio of Crimson Shore today. I love Pendergast! I should have known you would like the Pendergast books. It keeps amazing me how similar our tastes are.
Yay! You are the first person I’ve mentioned Pendergast to who actually knows who I’m talking about yet alone lives. So jazzed to learn you’re gone on him, too. We really rock similar tastes! 😄
And one of the pressing questions always is…who could possibly play him in a movie! LOL (I’m in a FB group that talks about his all the time.)
I prefer your horror to a lot of horror that is out there. I’m not a fan of the occult thing, which seems to be popular in that genre. I love RL Stine’s teen and kids’ books best. They always have some twist in them. But they are shorter, so they don’t give the immersive experience.
In my experience, it is really hard to find good horror. Most seems to dwell on some occultic theme and relies on that to carry the reader through instead of giving the reader an emotionally charged experience. I’m about to give up on horror books. I wish more were like yours. Those are the kinds I love. Not deep dark but suspenseful because you don’t know what to expect next.
I read shorter works most of the time because of the time factor, but if a book is immersive, then I love it long. Like you, shorter is fine. It’s entertaining. But it really doesn’t delve deep.
I like the supernatural aspect of horror. Both of mine had that aspect, but they weren’t too deep into it. Most of Stephen King’s are supernatural, but he does it so well. His are VERY emotional. That’s why I get into his so much. He develops his character so well, you think you know them intimately.
I agree completely that Stephen King’s got amazing talent when it comes to writing characters. Even at times when I don’t like the plot or the ending of his works, the people in the story are always so compelling, I have to keep reading.
I loved The Gnome, so creepy!
I almost always like his plots, but there have been an ending or two that didn’t make me happy. But characters…he always nails that.
Thanks, The Gnome was so much fun to write!