If there had to be an official referee calling the fouls for writers everywhere, Stephen King, author of countless bestsellers like It, Carrie, The Shining, and The Shawshank Redemption, would be a shoo-in for the position. So when he took to Twitter on October 28 announcing that the word “amazing” should be retired from every writer’s vocabulary, people paid attention. The era of “amazing” was over!
Note to writers: "Amazing" is very tired. "Amazing" needs a long vacation. Therefore, please don't write about your amazing party, your amazing girlfriend's amazing dress, or your amazing vacation. Something more pungent & specific, please.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 29, 2018
But a couple weeks later, while praising Dominique Rocher’s new film, The Night Eats the World, King broke his own rule.
Just when you think the zombie genre has been squeezed dry, along comes a perfectly amazing film by Dominique Rocher called THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD. It will blow your mind.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 13, 2018
Within two minutes, King had caught his mistake. Instead of taking the tweet down, however, he accepted whatever consequences Twitter felt he deserved.
Shit.
In writing about THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD, I used the word amazing.
My bad.
Go ahead, troll me.
I deserve it.— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 13, 2018
For perhaps the first time, however, Twitter decided trolling King didn’t seem right.
Anyone who stands up and takes responsibility for their own actions does not deserve to be trolled😊
— Kajsa Harris (@kajsaharris) November 13, 2018
You’re Stephen King! Do whatever you want; you’ve earned it.
— ModernGoddess (@moderngoddess55) November 13, 2018
Like trolling God. No good could ever come of it. So..
.. pic.twitter.com/D7o9GCwJVx— Schmoo📎 (@smilon713) November 13, 2018
Most people couldn’t bring themselves to think up a scathing retort—this is Stephen King we’re talking about!
Haha! I have a tremendous synonym for you! Btw, your tweets help me get through the daily real-life horror show. Thank you.
— Terrapin Dead (Scott Dempwolf) (@scottdempwolf) November 13, 2018
We all fall short, bud. Most of the time you are amazing.
— Wade (@mrdilleyo) November 13, 2018
— Moltted Duck (@molttedduck) November 13, 2018
Plus, we all know he’ll be even more careful not to use the “a-word” in the future.
just never use 'bigly'. promise?
— Jaye Schembri (@Catnips01) November 13, 2018
After all of great stories you've given us I think, at least the "Constant Readers" among will forgive one little slip.
Love your work pic.twitter.com/Zw4ylMp4Ur— cognizant canuck (@CanuckCognizant) November 13, 2018
Of course, there were one or two people who managed to get just a little bit snarky…
Here are a few “amazing” alternatives! pic.twitter.com/7MJsEVVwMP
— Michelle Mehregani (@GeeseLover) October 29, 2018
You also wrote the word 'amazing' when reviewing @MichaelGrantBks and his Gone series. Just sayin'.
— mars (@marianamorwords) November 13, 2018
— Dom (@ThisRingWndeR) November 13, 2018
But, for the most part, Twitter is full of nothing but love for the King of horror. We know you’ll do better next time, Stephen!
Get it right, Stephen. It's "amazeballs" pic.twitter.com/4EG0Vsw8hh
— Matt (@MrHorton82) November 13, 2018
