Buzz
Few would guess that R.L. Stine, the mastermind behind the Goosebumps and Fear Street series, once penned joke books for children under the alias Jovial Bob Stine. As he celebrates his 75th birthday, here are some insights, humor, and anecdotes from the legendary author.
1. HOW HE DISCOVERED HORROR
“My first encounter with horror was through Pinocchio. My mom would read it to me daily before my nap when I was three or four. The original tale is genuinely frightening—Pinocchio kills Jiminy Cricket with a mallet and later burns his feet off by resting them on a stove. Those images stayed with me forever!”
Excerpt from an interview with Harper Collins
2. HIS CHILDHOOD FEARS
"I was terrified of many things as a child ... One particular fear haunted me. I had to park my bike in the garage after sunset, and I was convinced something sinister was hiding inside. To avoid entering, I’d toss my bike in and run. It was a tough way to grow up ... Yet, in hindsight, it was fortunate. Those fears helped me later in life. When I write scary stories for kids, I tap into that sense of dread. I recall the panic vividly and channel it into my books."
Excerpt from an interview with Reading Rockets
3. HIS APPROACH TO WRITING HORROR
“There’s no set formula. I believe you need to adopt a very intimate perspective. You must see through the eyes of the narrator, experiencing every detail—the smells, the sounds. This helps readers connect deeply with the character, and that connection is what truly creates fear.”
Excerpt from an interview with Mediabistro
4. HIS REACTION TO SCARY BOOKS AND MOVIES
“People often tell me, ‘Your book gave me chills,’ but I don’t fully understand that sensation. Horror usually makes me laugh. While everyday adult fears unsettle me, books and movies don’t have the same effect.”
Excerpt from an interview with the Village Voice
5. ON THE CHALLENGES KIDS FACE TODAY
“When I was young, we had the luxury of simply being kids—we didn’t need to act sophisticated or cool. Nowadays, I believe the biggest issue is that children are growing up too quickly and missing out on the joy of just being kids. Being a child is already a tough job without the added pressure.”
Excerpt from an interview with Teen Ink
6. HIS APPROACH TO WRITING
“I always start with the title. My process is somewhat reversed compared to most writers. While others begin with a story idea and later come up with a title, I let the title guide me to the narrative ... Knowing the ending in advance gives me a clear path to follow. I outline every book meticulously, chapter by chapter, before writing a single word. By the time I start writing, I know exactly how the story will unfold. This preparation allows me to enjoy the writing process, as the hardest part—the planning—is already done.”
Excerpt from an interview with The Author Hour
7. HIS ENCOUNTER WITH RAY BRADBURY
“A few years back, I had the chance to meet Ray Bradbury for the first time, and meeting your idols is always nerve-wracking! I was incredibly anxious. It happened at the LA Times book festival near UCLA, where he was sitting in a booth enjoying a hot dog. I thought, ‘I have to tell him how much he means to me.’ As I approached, I was trembling with nerves, feeling like one of my own young readers. I shook his hand and said, ‘Mr. Bradbury, you’re my hero.’ He was incredibly kind and replied, ‘Well, you’re a hero to many others too.’ His words left me speechless and deeply moved—it was such a heartfelt moment.”
Excerpt from an interview with The Strand Magazine
8. HIS THOUGHTS ON CATS AND DOGS
“I’ve always preferred dogs and have owned them most of my life. My dislike for cats is evident—I’ve written numerous books featuring villainous cats. It’s much harder to picture a dog as evil.”
Excerpt from an interview with Colby Marshall
9. THE BEST ADVICE HE EVER RECEIVED
“Once, an editor wrote on one of my manuscripts: ‘Needs more lore.’ Those two words became the best advice I’ve ever received.”
Excerpt from an interview with C2E2
10. HIS FAVORITE FAN LETTER
“The best letter I ever received was from a boy who wrote, ‘Dear R.L. Stine, I’ve read 40 of your books, and I think they’re really boring.’ Isn’t that just perfect?”
Excerpt from an interview with Teen Ink
11. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WRITING FOR ADULTS AND KIDS
“It’s similar to a sprinter attempting a marathon. When I write for children, the story needs to feel somewhat believable, but they also understand it’s fantasy. However, writing horror for adults requires every detail to be grounded in reality. I even had to research specifics like the vegetation on the Outer Banks.”
As shared with Diane Brady of Bloomberg
12. HIS ADVICE FOR ASPIRING YOUNG WRITERS
“My advice is simple: read, read, and read some more. Don’t limit yourself to one author—explore a variety of genres and styles. When you eventually start writing seriously, all those diverse readings will stay in your mind and guide your creativity.”
From a live chat with CNN
This article was originally published in 2013.
