"If you want to be a writer, don't worry so much about writing. Read as much as you can. Read as many different writers as you can. Soak up the styles."
-R. L. Stine
Robert Lawrence Stine also known as R. L. Stine, is American author who is known best for his children's horror novels. This author was born on October 8th,1943, in Columbus, Ohio. It is said that he is one of the best children's horror writers. At the age of nine years he started writing. Later on after gaining a degree of Bachelors of Art in English in 1965 from The Ohio State University (OSU), he began his career as an editor and writer for children's magazines such as: "Bananas" and "Hippo". He then moved on to writing children's books, and his first horror novel, "Blind Date," was published in 1986.
Reason for Writing
In interviews, R. L. Stine mentioned that he had always had a love writing and storytelling. He enjoyed reading and was drawn to horror stories and comic books. He would spend hours reading and drawing his own comics, which helped him develop his storytelling skills. His experiences as an author and an editor children's magazines helped him developed his writing style and understand what peeks children's interest. He also incorporated his own anxieties and fears he had as a child into his works.
The famous "Goosebumps" Series
Stine has written many enjoyable series, however, the series that is the most loved is the "Goosebumps" series. Starting in 1992, "Goosebumps" has become one of the best-selling children's book series of all time, with over 400 copies sold worldwide. It was so popular that it has been adapted into a television show, movie and has numerous merchandise.
The most famous book in the Classic Goosebumps series is number thirteen, "Welcome to Dead House". The book follows the story of Amanda and Josh Benson who move with their parents into a new town called "Dark Falls", only to discover that their new home and the town itself are haunted by ghosts and zombies. The two investigate and find out that the town was once a thriving industrial center that was destroyed by a chemical spill that turned many of the residents into zombies. The zombie residents now seek to recruit new members into their ranks, and Amanda and Josh become their targets. Amanda and Josh must find a way to escape from the town and the zombies who want them to join their ranks. With the help of a local girl named Ray, they attempt to uncover the truth behind the town's dark history and put an end to the zombies' plans.
Overall, "Welcome to Dead House" is a spooky and suspenseful tale that introduces readers to the "Goosebumps" series and sets the stage for the many spooky adventures that follow.
Honorary Mentions
Other popular series by R. L. Stine are: "Fear Street"(1989), "The Nightmare Room"(1999-2000), "Mostly Ghostly" (2004), and "Rotten School"(2005-2009).
R. L. Stine works of literature has and will continue to leave a lasting impact on children everywhere.
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