Stephen King is back and ready to make your hair stand on end with 'Under the Dome,' a complex novel about society and humanity with that signature King touch. PopEater is proud to exclusively premierean interview in which King discusses 'Dome.'
"There's a saying that people have in Alcoholics Anonymous, which is, 'You're only as sick as your secrets.' Some of the people in this book are pretty sick indeed, and let's put it this way -- I think readers are going to be engaged, but I don't think they're going to be totally surprised by some of the things people are holding back, because we have them in our own lives," King says in the interview.
See the clip after the jump!
PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.
"I saw it as a chance to write about the serious ecological problems that we face in the world today. I don't want to get real heavy about this ... but the fact is we all live under the dome. We have this little blue world we've all seen from outer space, and it appears that's all there is," King says in the interview.
Explaining how the book came to fruition, King says he tried to write 'Dome' in 1976, but that it went on the back burner until three years later -- but even then, King wasn't ready. "It's kind of like a baseball player saying, 'I missed a really fat pitch and I'd really like to have another chance.' "
During a plane trip to Australia three years ago, King nabbed that fat pitch, and the inspiration to revisit the 'Dome' concept returned.
"The image that caught my mind was the idea of these people giving a press conference to the outside world ... and from what you see there's nothing between them and the cameras until somebody reaches out and knocks on, you know, thin air," King explains.
The acclaimed author of more than 50 books says it "was great to be working on a big canvas again," explaining that he ultimately writes "two kinds of books: I do books that are like murals -- they're big and they're populated with all kinds of characters -- and then [I] do the close-up books like 'Misery.' If you're going to write a book that people are going to love ... you just can't phone it in."
The world and the environment was a key factor for King's inspiration, the author says. "I saw it as a chance to write about the serious ecological problems that we face in the world today. I don't want to get real heavy about this ... but the fact is we all live under the dome. We have this little blue world we've all seen from outer space, and it appears that's all there is."
Get info on Stephen King's upcoming comic book project, 'American Vampire,' at ComicsAlliance.
People who don't understand can only criticize... No one realizes they are belittling this generation's Edgar Allen Poe. King's books and movies will be appreciated by INTELLIGENT people for generations to come, and the morons that complain won't even be read on here tomorrow. Keep up up the great work Stephen King! I buy every one of your books and I encourage all my intelligent friends and coworkers to enjoy them too!
I like to read. I have given Mr. King several opportunities to interest me in adding him to my personal library. His style never gained my approval. I can only imagine that if his popular books didn't interest me, how badly I'd be impressed with this latest addition to his volume of work.
I have collected almost all of Kings books "first editions" since Carrie. However the last one that I bought "buick Eight", I couldn't even get all the way through it. Unless someone else that is a fan recommends one to me, I won't buy another.
Stephen King has always been one of my favorite writers!! One of his best books for me, was "THE STAND". This book had over a thousand pages, and I read it TWICE!! I couldn't put it down!! I'll get a copy of "Under The Dome", as soon as I spot one!! I've been waiting a long time for "The Master of Horror", to come out with another book!! I've read all his other ones!! Love ya Stephen!!
Trixie, I agree with you about "THE STAND". My favorite King book too and I have and have read both versions numerous times. I think you are right about the Captain Trips and H1N1. Scary. Wouldn't it be great if King would write a sequel to THE STAND now and follow the original characters now, 35 years later? Frannie and Stu's kid(s) would be grown and they would probably be grandparents. Would the "Walking Duke" still be walking?
I agree w/you April & all you other King fans out there. Mr. King is pure genius. I grew up reading his work along w/many others. Stephen King captures you like no other Author. He two latest, before "Under The Dome". "Just After Sunset" & "Duma Key" remind me of the old school King. I hope "Duma Key" become movies, as well. He is doing a book signing for "Under The Dome", currently in progress. I would Love to be able to thank him personally for all these years of entertainment. Long Live The King.
Stephen King has always been honest in acknowledging that his very first goal as a writer is to entertain the reader, and by and large he has always delivered. Some of his writings are masterworks of fiction and some are pop-culture storytelling, and some of it has been both.
Not having read "Under the Dome" yet, I do not not know if the resembleance is superficial or runs deeper, but I do recall that there was a story written in the mid-sixties by Howard Fast in which life inside and outside force field-generated dome is explored via encounters between the occupants, who have evolved differently than their forebears residing outside the dome. It was called "The First Men," and was one of several science/speculative fiction stories by this author better know for historical novels. At first read of thye ticklers for King's book, I can't help but wonder if he has been influenced by some flashback to his youth to come up with a derivative scenario for a "new" story. No accusation intended...just speculation without evidence. Creative types are influenced all the time by things they have seen or heard in the past. It is the recycling of these ideas into new and fresh ideas that marks them as creative.
Well, I write what I feel like writing. People curse, my characters curse. A man with a nail shot through his hand is not going to yell, "Darn." I have to go now. I noticed some excellent deals on Nike shoes a few posts above that I want to check out. sk
I have always loved Stephen King's work. Yes, some of his books are very different from some of the earlier ones, but if they weren't different then they would be the same, and you would all be complaining about that. He is a talented storyteller and can keep your mind engrosed to the very end. I also adored his Dark Tower series, and marveled about how he tied in all of his earlier work. I, for one, can't wait for the new book.
anyway, king is a pretty good author. i dont like all his works. couldnt get into the whole gunsliner thing. But IT, Dreamcatcher, The Stand, Carrie, Firestarter, and a ton of short stories are spectacular. He is definately one of the better fiction writers of the past 200 years.
The one genre he shouldnt venture into ever again though is fantasy. Eye(s) of the Dragon was very painful to read cover to cover.
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Stephen King is back and ready to make your hair stand on end with 'Under the Dome,' a complex novel about society and humanity with that signature King touch. PopEater is proud to exclusively premiere an interview in which King discusses 'Dome.' 
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People who don't understand can only criticize... No one realizes they are belittling this generation's Edgar Allen Poe. King's books and movies will be appreciated by INTELLIGENT people for generations to come, and the morons that complain won't even be read on here tomorrow. Keep up up the great work Stephen King! I buy every one of your books and I encourage all my intelligent friends and coworkers to enjoy them too!
Reply
Kings novel 'INSOMNIA ' was one I really wanted them to make into a movie. Never happen.
I also like Dean Kootz, I read him as well as KIng.
Reply
I like to read. I have given Mr. King several opportunities to interest me in adding him to my personal library. His style never gained my approval. I can only imagine that if his popular books didn't interest me, how badly I'd be impressed with this latest addition to his volume of work.
Reply
I have collected almost all of Kings books "first editions" since Carrie. However the last one that I bought "buick Eight", I couldn't even get all the way through it. Unless someone else that is a fan recommends one to me, I won't buy another.
Reply
I agree the Buick eight book sucked but who can be perfect all the time?Anyways read The Cell.I bet you will want to start Collecting King again.
Stephen King has always been one of my favorite writers!! One of his best books for me, was "THE STAND". This book had over a thousand pages, and I read it TWICE!! I couldn't put it down!! I'll get a copy of "Under The Dome", as soon as I spot one!! I've been waiting a long time for "The Master of Horror", to come out with another book!! I've read all his other ones!! Love ya Stephen!!
Reply
what did he do watch the simpsons movie to get his inspiration
Reply
Well, Ling began Under the Dome long before the crappy Simpson movie, so there it is...
Wasnt this the plot of the "Simspons" movie?
Reply
it looks like the Simpson's movie!
Reply
one name: Dean Koontz
Reply
Trixie, I agree with you about "THE STAND". My favorite King book too and I have and have read both versions numerous times. I think you are right about the Captain Trips and H1N1. Scary. Wouldn't it be great if King would write a sequel to THE STAND now and follow the original characters now, 35 years later? Frannie and Stu's kid(s) would be grown and they would probably be grandparents. Would the "Walking Duke" still be walking?
Reply
I would love to see the characters 'brought back to life'(literally) for a sequel to Duma Key. Loved that book!
Reply
KING IS PURE GENIUS. I'M HIS #1 FAN! :)
Reply
I agree w/you April & all you other King fans out there. Mr. King is pure genius. I grew up reading his work along w/many others. Stephen King captures you like no other Author. He two latest, before "Under The Dome". "Just After Sunset" & "Duma Key" remind me of the old school King. I hope "Duma Key" become movies, as well. He is doing a book signing for "Under The Dome", currently in progress. I would Love to be able to thank him personally for all these years of entertainment. Long Live The King.
"Wildfire"
Stephen King has always been honest in acknowledging that his very first goal as a writer is to entertain the reader, and by and large he has always delivered. Some of his writings are masterworks of fiction and some are pop-culture storytelling, and some of it has been both.
Not having read "Under the Dome" yet, I do not not know if the resembleance is superficial or runs deeper, but I do recall that there was a story written in the mid-sixties by Howard Fast in which life inside and outside force field-generated dome is explored via encounters between the occupants, who have evolved differently than their forebears residing outside the dome. It was called "The First Men," and was one of several science/speculative fiction stories by this author better know for historical novels. At first read of thye ticklers for King's book, I can't help but wonder if he has been influenced by some flashback to his youth to come up with a derivative scenario for a "new" story. No accusation intended...just speculation without evidence. Creative types are influenced all the time by things they have seen or heard in the past. It is the recycling of these ideas into new and fresh ideas that marks them as creative.
Reply
Well, I write what I feel like writing. People curse, my characters curse. A man with a nail shot through his hand is not going to yell, "Darn." I have to go now. I noticed some excellent deals on Nike shoes a few posts above that I want to check out.
sk
Reply
King rocks.I just read The Cell and loved it.Can't wait for The Dome!
Reply
I have always loved Stephen King's work. Yes, some of his books are very different from some of the earlier ones, but if they weren't different then they would be the same, and you would all be complaining about that. He is a talented storyteller and can keep your mind engrosed to the very end. I also adored his Dark Tower series, and marveled about how he tied in all of his earlier work. I, for one, can't wait for the new book.
Reply
lol
anyway, king is a pretty good author. i dont like all his works. couldnt get into the whole gunsliner thing. But IT, Dreamcatcher, The Stand, Carrie, Firestarter, and a ton of short stories are spectacular. He is definately one of the better fiction writers of the past 200 years.
The one genre he shouldnt venture into ever again though is fantasy. Eye(s) of the Dragon was very painful to read cover to cover.
Reply