Master of Horror Stephen King Inspires Writing Skills in America’s Students
Online serial horror story encourages students to contribute their ideas.
(PRWEB) October 29, 2005 -- (America’s master of horror, Stephen King, has joined students across the United States to write an ongoing serial horror story – on the weeklyreader.com website. King penned the opening lines of a scary tale entitled “The Furnace,” which he donated to Weekly Reader’s online storytelling project. The story went online in late September. This opening paragraph piqued the interest of students across the country and in just three weeks hundreds of students have honed their writing skills and submitted ideas to continue the story.
In his opening paragraph, which can be found in the What’s Your Story section of the Weekly Reader website, King writes:
Tommy's job was to get wood for the fire from the box at the bottom of the cellar stairs. His mother said he wouldn't be afraid of the cellar when he got older, but now he was ten, and he hated it more than ever. Tommy was sure something was behind the furnace. He sometimes thought he could hear it breathing back there, and he knew it was watching him. Then one day when Tommy was getting the wood, the door at the top of the stairs swung shut and the cellar light went out...
“We’re thrilled that Stephen King has given us such a wonderfully creepy opening that has inspired students across the U.S, to use their writing skills and contribute sections of this horror story,” said Ira Wolfman, Weekly Reader’s Senior Vice-President of Editorial. “On behalf of Weekly Reader—and of English teachers across our country --I want to thank Mr. King for his contributions.”
King, who began writing stories when he was in grammar school, told Weekly Reader what he thinks makes a great writer. ”You have to have books. You have to read. I go with a book just about everywhere,” King said.
Weekly Reader created The Weekly Writer based on the belief that young writers are more motivated and learn more easily when they are actively involved with individual or collaborative tasks. The idea of writing in installments—also called a serial—is not new. During the 19th century, many writers wrote stories in serial form for popular magazines of the day.
Two top students have been selected so far. Each will win a Stephen King autographed copy of Weekly Reader’s Writing magazine, Weekly Reader t-shirts, a World Almanac and the chance to be published!
Here are the next two installments of The Weekly Writer:
From sixth-grader Laura Flint from Kensington, Maryland:
“A cold ripple of fear swept over him as he stood there, stock still as if frozen to the spot, when he heard a voice that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. ”Come to me," said the horrible voice. "Come." Tommy tried to run up the stairs but he couldn't. He was drawn by that horrible voice and however much he tried to free himself he found his feet moving closer to it.”
And eighth-grader Jordy Figiel from Wheatland, Illinois writes:
“For a moment, Tommy just stood there, blinking his eyes. This could not seriously be happening. Then, as he frantically groped his hands around for the wooden banister, he heard it. A breath. The shuddering whistle sounded like a pot of tea finished boiling, only deeper and softer. It sent a shiver of chills up Tommy's spine, and it spread throughout his body uncontrollably, making him twitch in cold fear.”
Students are encouraged to submit their contributions to this ongoing horror story. They can also read Stephen King’s answers to kids’ questions, and the full transcript of an interview that was published in another Weekly Reader periodical, Writing magazine earlier this month.
At WORD Weekly Reader’s literary blog for teens, students will also find information about King, a review of King’s book On Writing, a teacher’s perspective on Stephen King, and a travelogue of editor Bryon Cahill’s visit to King’s hometown, Bangor, Maine.
The Weekly Writer will be a year-long activity as authors R.L. Stine and Jane Yolen have also agreed to participate.
About Weekly Reader
Weekly Reader Corporation is a leader in educational publishing. Created in 1902, Weekly Reader® publishes 16 magazines and a variety of other supplemental products that reinforce curriculum, help teachers meet standards, and engage students. All sixteen magazines have won awards for excellence in educational journalism. Weekly Reader® currently serves approximately nine million students and 300,000 teachers nationwide.
About WRC Media
WRC Media Inc., a leading publishing and media company, creates and distributes innovative supplementary educational materials for the school, library, and home markets that are designed to help students reach their full learning potential. The company's products are recognized for their consistent high quality and proven effectiveness in improving student performance and achievement.
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