The Master of Mischief“It starts with this: Put your desk in a corner, and every time you sit there to write, remind yourself why it's not in the middle of the room. Life is not a support system for art. It's the opposite” states Stephen King in his book On Writing(94). Stephen King is an author world-renowned for his works of horror fiction, fiction, film and television. He has published more than forty novels and written nine screenplays (Adams 1). Stephen King draws much of his inspiration from his surroundings, his work and his life experiences. Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine, in 1947. Stephen was a surprise to his parents, Nellie Ruth and Pillsbury King. Mrs King was told she would never conceive. The couple had adopted a son, David, Stephen's older brother. When Stephen was just a child, his parents divorced. Nellie moved Stephen and David briefly to Indiana and then to Connecticut. At the age of twelve, Stephen's little family returned to Maine (Stephen King.com 1-2). Stephen showed an interest in writing at a young age. When he was little, his brother allowed Stephen to write articles for "Dave's Rag", his brothers' independently published newspaper (full biography 2). Throughout his childhood he read horror comics and drew inspiration from them. He began writing short stories and selling them to his mother's friends for a penny (King On Writing15). Stephen graduated from Lisbon Falls High School, where he was sought after to serve on the newspaper staff. Stephen sold his first professional story to Starting MysteryStories in 1967 (Stephen King.com 1-2). Stephen King met his wife, Tabitha, while attending the University of Maine at Orono. Tabitha and Stephen married in January 1971. The couple lived in a small apartment; their only source of income was Stephen's salary as a laborer in an industrial laundry. In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching second-year English in Hampden, Maine, and working on short stories in the evenings and on weekends. In 1973 his first novel Carrie was published. Not long after, his second novel "Salam's Lot" was published. With the money made from the two novels Stephen and Tabith......middle of paper......and natural talent (Adams 2-3). King believes that a strong desire to write is what fuels brilliant storytelling. “Write what you like, then imbue it with life and make it unique by melding your own knowledge of life, friendship, relationships, sex, and work” (King OnWriting 157 ). Stephen King received the 2003 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. He is also the best-selling writer in the world (Stephen King.com 2). When Stephen is not writing, he spends his time playing guitar in a rock band called "Rock Bottom Remainders" (full bio 5). The way King parallels his life with his writing without making it seem like every story is a biography is amazing. His stories are compelling and inspiring. “These are just interests that grew out of my life and thoughts, my experiences as a boy and a man, my roles as a husband, father, writer, and lover” (King 208). Stephen King is a phenomenal author who has written many twenty-first century classics. He skillfully told the world about himself and his life through his immortal words.