The Stephen King Litmus Test – Could You Be a Character In A Novel?

Eugene-Kaik_Ouija_1024x1024by Danielle DeLisle

Ever get that strange feeling you might actually, truly, without a doubt be in a Stephen King novel?

Something about the way your car seatbelt has been slightly tighter lately, or maybe it’s the way you keep seeing clowns with sharp teeth everywhere.

It’s weird, but you aren’t positive being a character in a SK novel is the cause of the phenomena. That’s where this test comes in! I have provided a helpful test to ease your anxiety. Your life certainly won’t be better if you ARE a character in a Stephen King novel, we all know how those turn out, but at least you’ll know. Right?

Simply read the list of statements below and put a check by every statement that applies to you. Each check is worth one point. When you are finished add up your points and use the key to find out if you are, in fact, a Stephen King character. It’s that simple!

1) You are or have ever been a writer.

2) You live or have lived in Maine.

3) You live or have lived in a town named Derry or Castle Rock.

4) You have an irrational fear of an everyday object (toy, drain, library).

5) You have a severe mental or physical handicap (blind, autistic), but somehow have amazing psychic abilities.

6) You give terrifying/special things in your life completely innocuous nicknames (The Dark Man, The Shining, Captain Trips).

7) You think a novel of your life would be great, but the movie would really suck.

8. That novel of your life mentioned above? It would be no less than 800 pages.

9) You hear horror stories about a place (hotel room, town), but insist on going there anyway.

10) You dream of a dark tower and a world that has moved on.

11) You have exactly nineteen letters in your first, last and middle names put together.

12) You have ever completely dismissed/ignored someone you think is beneath you (gypsy, circus performer, child) only to regret it later.

13) The women/men in your life tend to be whiny, domineering and/or abusive. You can’t wait to “get rid of them” forever.

14) You have a split personality and/or different voices in your head that make running commentary on what is happening to you and/or torments you.

15) Whenever you are in a bad situation there is always that one crazy person (religious freak, delusional) and/or jerk to make your life miserable.

16) You like to name inanimate objects and frequently talk to them.

17) No matter what year you live in you listen to classic rock. Always.

18) You have innumerable folksy phrases at your fingertips.

19) Someone in your life could be described as an everyman. If you don’t think you know anyone who fits this description…check yourself.

20) Animals around you (cats, dogs, rats, birds) seem to be commentating on your life. If only you could be sure it was in your head.

KEY

0-6 Points ~ You are not a character in a Stephen King novel.

You an rest easy knowing that your are not living in a Stephen King novel. Your life may not be perfect, but at least you won’t be hunted down by rabid dogs, guys named Ace or prehistoric creatures.

7-13 ~ You are a supporting character in a Stephen King novel.

You may not be a main character in a Stephen King novel, but I am willing to bet you have seen some weird stuff going on in your town. Keep your head down and ignore any strange things you see. It’s the only way to make it to the end.

14-19 ~ You are a main character in a Stephen King novel.

The bad news is that you ARE the main character in a Stephen King novel. There is just too much evidence to ignore it anymore, but you probably already know that. The good news is that your New England stoicism and common sense will see you through. Probably.

20 ~ You are Stephen King.

Hello! Can I have an autograph?

About the author – Danielle DeLisle is a writer and fan of Stephen King. She occasionally writes for the Innsmouth Free Press and can be reached at danielleldelisle@gmail.com.

Browse a selection of Stephen King rare collected works.

Conversation

17 Comments on The Stephen King Litmus Test – Could You Be a Character In A Novel?

  1. Enjoyed the test. It really proved that I was not a character in a SK novel….phew that’s a load of my mind.

  2. I was so relieved to find I was only a supporting charactor,after all moving around from world to world leaves one so little spare time.And to Bob,nobody makes it to the end alive!

  3. That was very entertaining … thank you. I’m just a little disappointed that I’m not in any way, shape or form a character in a Stephen King novel! 🙁 I need some excitement in my sad little life and I have always been just a bit warped and twisted anyway!!! … Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to be content being a crazy cat lady!!! LOL

  4. I have felt like a supporting character when I first read ‘Salem’s Lot. I felt like Susan Norton because my family at first didn’t like my boyfriend. He came from a single parent home, Mom died from Cancer. He wore a huge Afro but he attend a top rated Catholic school and had a 3.9 average and was a relay racer and cross country runner.
    I attended his sister school. We met as characters in a play, Up the Downstairs Case. I was always reading and he was always studying. I had a 2.89 average.
    We’re been married 37 years, three kids, two grand kids, three Cats (One named Quiet Riot),three fish (One named 57 Chevy). My family grew to love my husband even though he no longer has any hair.
    Please, Mr. King, continue your writing. It is hair raising, goose bumping and I love every moment.

  5. Sad to say that I am only a supporting character in a Stephen King novel. However, my initials ARE SK, so . . . perhaps I really AM Stephen King and just didn’t know it all these years . . . Now perhaps THAT would make me a MAIN character in a Stephen King (or, SK as I like to call him …uh, me) novel . . . hummmmmmm!?!?! Who am I REALLY? AM I going insane? AM I there yet?

  6. To bad Stephen King doesn’t want stories of horror when a child..I’m pretty sure if he read what horrific childhoods some people had he’d have even more best sellers!

  7. Hi Janell…I’m a supporting member and to be honest I think that in some of SKs books I could be one of the main characters..not THE main character..probably 4th/5th and it would be a hair raising character.

    Patti

    **Love the names of your cat and fish 🙂

  8. Woot that was fun ! I am a supporting character as well , but I am sure I am also the main character of another story that could easily stem from a Stephen King novel : )

  9. Dang … i’m not a character … not even a supporting character … and i’ve read all of his books twice (at least) and now, thanks to the internet, i always pre-order his new books … and i always make the comment “them summer colds are the worst” when i hear someone sneeze in warm weather … thought for sure those things would get me in at least as a supporting character 😛

    good test tho 🙂

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