“Despite my ghoulish reputation, I really have the heart of a small boy. I keep it in a jar on my desk.”
This quote is often attributed to Stephen King. It was on this day in 1974 that King’s first novel, CARRIE, was published. Happy Publication Day, Stevie!
The quote is actually from author Robert Bloch, who would’ve turned 100 today. Bloch wrote the novel PSYCHO which would become one of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films.
Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels. He also had a keen sense of humor, as you can see from these quotes:
“The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on.”
“Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.”
“So I had this problem — work or starve. So I thought I’d combine the two and decided to become a writer.”
Happy Birthday, Bobby!
Some Recommended Robert Bloch Stories and Books:
“The Real Bad Friend” – inspiration for PSYCHO
“Lucy Comes To Stay” – -also an inspiration for PSYCHO
PSYCHO
“Yours Truly, Jack The Ripper”
“The Man Who Collected Poe”
“The Animal Fair”
THE KIDNAPPER
“That Hell-Bound Train”
“The Scent of Vinegar”
STRANGE EONS
.
Another notable short story in the run-up to PSYCHO is “I Do Not Love Thee, Doctor Fell”
And, as Lefty Feep might remind you, “Time wounds all heels.”
And, of course, Bloch was one of King’s biggest influences. Richard Matheson, an even more direct influence on King, was also a student of Bloch, and co-edited the major memorial anthology after Bloch’s death.