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A crowd gathered outside during an empty, black, ominous late fall night then filled Ramstein’s Hercules Theater to hear the suspenseful words of author Stephen King.
King, notable for writing novels including “Carrie,” “The Shining” and “Misery,” talked about life experiences that inspired him. He also read excerpts from his recently released best-selling novel “Doctor Sleep,” the sequel to his 1977 horror novel “The Shining,” and answered questions from the audience.
Q: What made you visit Ramstein?
A: I got in touch with the USO and told them I would enjoy spending some time with the military personnel overseas and asked if they would like me to visit.
Q: What do you think of your visit so far?
A: I love it. I’m amazed by the care they provide at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and how much they’re able to do for the patients they’re able to bring in. I was able to meet some old friends and make new ones as well.
Q: How does it feel to be in Germany with service members?
A: It has been terrific. Everyone has been wonderful to me, responsive and very helpful. I got a chance to see all these brave people doing their jobs. It’s great to be able to look out on Ramstein’s runway and see some of the biggest planes I’ve ever seen.
Q: Who is your favorite author to read, besides Richard Bachman?
A: Well, Richard Bachman is me, so naturally he is my favorite, however I like John Sanford and read a lot of Bentley Little, who writes horror fiction. I also like reading my two sons’ books as well, Joe and Owen King and Owen’s wife, Kelly Braffet.
Q: Did you tell any funny bedtime stories to your children when they were younger?
A: I like to make fun and used to joke around that I would tell them the version of the “Three Little Bears” where Goldilocks gets
eaten. What they really liked was when I made up stories about their favorite superheroes though.
Q: Do you have any rituals when you write a book?
A: I wouldn’t call it a ritual, but I usually start my day off the same way. I lay out my two vitamin pills, make a big pot of tea and turn on the music.
Q: How do you decide who dies in a book?
A: I don’t. They either live or die. When I go into a story sometimes I have an idea about who will live and who will die, but as I dive into a story, a lot of times characters I think are going to die find a way to live, but that’s like life. A lot of times people in difficult situations survive against all odds. The book is the boss, I let it evolve and take its own path.
Q: If you could go back and rewrite one of your own books from a different perspective, would you change anything about them?
A: I’ve gone back to the “Dark Tower” books and rewrote the first of them because they were written over a period of 35 years, and I’ve changed a lot during that period. They really make for one long story, so what people are actually reading is one long draft of a really long novel, and I think they deserve a better polished product than that.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: To everyone here at Ramstein and LRMC: Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s terrific, and I think it’s a vital part of American defense. I’m amazed by the dedication of all the service members here.
