“The town kept its secrets, and the Marsten House brooded over it like a ruined king.”

“It's only a little secret, but having a secret makes me feel better. Like a human being again.”

“Story is honorable and trustworthy; plot is shifty, and best kept under house arrest.”

“You know," King said, "I'm not much good at telling stories. That sounds like a paradox, but it's not; it's the reason I write them down.”

“Certain empty houses that seemed to stare like the faces of people suffering from terrible mental illness. An empty barn on the outskirts of town, the hayloft door swinging open and closed on rusty hinges, first disclosing darkness, then hiding it, then disclosing it again.”

“The mad King, the bad King, the sad King. Ring-a-ding-ding, all hail the King!”

“I'm not laughing at you guys," King said. "It's actually against my religion to laugh at men who are toting guns.”