Hi! I'm R.L. Stine and my job is to terrify kids. You might know me as the bestselling author of Goosebumps, but you can call be Bob.

Here's proof that it's me: https://twitter.com/RL_Stine/status/793073897608515584

I'm the author of more than three hundred books, including the Goosebumps Series. My series R.L. Stine'€™s The Haunting Hour returns to Discovery Family Channel today starting at 5 PM ET. Ask me anything!

Comments: 5930 • Responses: 44  • Date: 

Rad_Rad_Robot5167 karma

Now that Stephen King just put out a children's book are you going to put out an adult horror novel in response?

RL__Stine5640 karma

My latest adult horror novel is titled RED RAIN.

squidjib3447 karma

Greetings from your devoted fans at Drinking with Goosebumps! We recently hit the halfway point in the original books (Night of the Living Dummy II) and just finished up The Barking Ghost.

Did you ever have any input on the covers of the original 62 books? Tim Jacobus' art remains iconic. They really need to put out a coffee table book of those covers!

RL__Stine3645 karma

Tim's covers were amazing. I always sent him short summaries of the stories. He painted at the same time I was writing the book.

COGspartaN73415 karma

The end of chapter suspense moments always got me and my little sister all excited every time I'd read one of the books to her. it got to the point it'd urge us to read on past our bedtime getting us in trouble numerous times. So my question is why the war on bedtime?

RL__Stine3980 karma

Sleeping vs. reading-- it's a hard choice.

mikerapin3310 karma

Have you ever considered writing for comic books?

RL__Stine5861 karma

I'm writing a series of comic books for Marvel-- my first comics ever. But I'm not allowed to talk about them yet.

Irksomefetor2529 karma

Was season 1 episode 8 of the television series, "My Hairiest Adventure," meant as a puberty allegory?

You da man, Bob!

RL__Stine3037 karma

Maybe.

suck_it_trebek552163 karma

Happy Halloween! Loved the Goosebumps series growing up! Thanks for playing a big part in my childhood. On a side note, love hearing your voice on R.L. Grime's Halloween mixes. How did he reach out to you, and have you actually listened to any of his mixes?

RL__Stine2525 karma

I love the R.L. Grime mixes. Of course I listen to them.

Definitelynotjason2069 karma

Is it wrong of me to want more of your stories?

RL__Stine4216 karma

Yes, terribly wrong. You need help.

zombie_mike1928 karma

How do you feel about the goosebumps movie? I grew up reading goosebumps, now i love horror as an adult...thank you.

RL__Stine2844 karma

I was really happy with the GB Movie. I'm so glad they're talking about doing a sequel.

suaveitguy1920 karma

Do you write out fully sketched profiles of characters before you start the plot?

RL__Stine3091 karma

I write a vey complete chapter-by-chapter outline of every book before I start writing.

spookysara1423 karma

Hi! Thank you so much for doing this AMA.

Firstly, I just want to thank you. When I was a child I was constantly in and out of the hospital. My life was scary and unpredictable, but your Goosebumps books were the only things I looked forward to. I remember reading them in the hospital and then being excited to leave the hospital just so I could get more of your books. They really helped me get through my childhood and your books are some of the only things I still own from my childhood. I still have my massive collection and enjoy reading them to this day!

As for my question, I wanted to ask you what your favourite Halloween movie is and why?

Once again, thank you for everything and Happy Halloween!

RL__Stine1397 karma

So glad my books were meaningful to you. On Halloween, I like the old Universal horror films, Frankenstein and Dracula and the Invisible Man

isiahcomedian1139 karma

Who did you read growing up?

RL__Stine2416 karma

I read mostly comics--Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, MAD. When I was nine, I discovered Ray Bradbury. Changed my life.

nifkinten730 karma

Which book of yours is your favorite?

RL__Stine1663 karma

My favorite GB book is he Haunted Mask. I also enjoy writing the Slappy books-- he's so evil, he's fun to write.

tryin2takovatehworld572 karma

Are you afraid of the dark?

RL__Stine1022 karma

Isn't everyone?

Seraph_Grymm513 karma

Where did the idea for Slappy come from, and why does he seem to be a mastermind puppeteer?

RL__Stine547 karma

I was very happy with the movie. I think it could have been a TINY bit scarier. But I truly loved the way it came out.

ErronBlack506 karma

What do you think the scariest movie of all time is?

RL__Stine1262 karma

The Shining.

mrmightymyth440 karma

What is the best memory you have from working on Eureka's Castle?

RL__Stine736 karma

Working with the puppeteers was the most fun a writer could have. Did you know that I modeled Batly the Bat after my son Matt?

mrzonules381 karma

Hey Mr. Stine!! What's your favorite Halloween candy? Please don't say candycorngarbage

RL__Stine1252 karma

I'm very loyal to the KitKat Bar.

suaveitguy369 karma

Dr. Seuss, or Shel Silverstein?
Walt Disney, or Jim Henson?

RL__Stine540 karma

I'd vote for all four.

suaveitguy277 karma

How do you begin writing a story? How much is Romantic inspiration and how much is pragmatic design/planning?

RL__Stine730 karma

All of my stories start with a title. The title leads me to the story.

T0bu276 karma

Hey Bob, loved your books and show growing up. Can you give me a sentence that will scare me as an adult?

RL__Stine818 karma

Don't get scared, but it's time for me to leave. Thank you, everyone, for the great questions. I hope you enjoy the Hunting Hour marathon on Discovery Family Channel. And I hope you have a scary Halloween. Bye for now.

Ggungabyfish248 karma

Hello, Mr. Stine. Thank you for being part of my childhood. The books still give me the creeps to this day. The ones that scared me the most were the Monster Blood books. How did you come up with the idea of a substance that could be so terrifying?

RL__Stine458 karma

The words Monster Blood just popped into my head. Then I had to figure out what it was.

kotooni196 karma

How's Matt these days?

RL__Stine483 karma

Matt is doing well. He does sound design for theater companies, and he has a two-year-old son, my grandson Dylan.

NullBarell42190 karma

Have you met the 'Ermehgerd' girl?

RL__Stine365 karma

No. Has anyone ever met her??

juggilinjnuggala156 karma

What was the worst character you've ever written?

RL__Stine449 karma

Jellyjam from Camp Jellyjam. He smelled so bad, he died of his own odor.

RockandNerfing129 karma

How are you? Have you been getting good sleep? Eating right?

RL__Stine203 karma

I don't get much sleep at Halloween time. I'm out publicizing my Discovery Family Channel marathon that starts in a few hours. And my newest GB book, The Lizard of Oz.

suaveitguy124 karma

What do you think of Rod Serling's work?

RL__Stine261 karma

Rod Serling was a hero of mine. The Twilight Zone was a big influence on me. I've seen them all.

angeluscado123 karma

Mr. Stine, thank you for doing this! I'm a little starstruck, you were one of my favourite authors as a kid.

Two questions for you:

  1. Who is your favourite horror author, besides yourself?

  2. How do you feel about the Goosebumps TV show that aired in the '90's?

Thanks!

RL__Stine250 karma

I'm a big Stephen King fan. I think he's a terrific storyteller. I also like Peter Straub.

din7104 karma

What literary works influence you the most?

RL__Stine235 karma

Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury, Harlan Coben, P.G. Wodehouse....

minimansauce101 karma

Will there be any more "Give Yourself Goosebumps" books? Those were my favorite as a kid.

RL__Stine124 karma

None planned at this time. Sorry.

protanoa168 karma

What's your favourite TV show?

RL__Stine314 karma

Game of Thrones.

hawkofglory64 karma

How often do you look back at a book, and wish you had done something differently?

RL__Stine224 karma

I always wish I had done something differently, but I seldom look back at books. Gotta move on to the next one. By the way, the new Fear Street book is called The Dead Boyfriend. I'm enjoying writing Fear Street again. And watch for a Fear Street movie next year!

Duck-You-Sucker58 karma

What is a type of book you have always wanted to write, but for one reason or another never have gotten a chance to?

RL__Stine135 karma

No such thing.

SCJut29 karma

Any memorable stories from when you meant Stephen King that weren't covered in the media?

RL__Stine115 karma

He accused me of using up all of the amusement park plots in the world.

Maybe_A_Lawyer28 karma

Hello Mr. Stine!

Your books were a huge source of my love of reading as a child which has developed into adulthooed, especially the books regarding Chucky. My question is what is the source of your inspirations, and do you use your books to share any messages that you find important for kids?

RL__Stine113 karma

The only message in my books is RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

asappringles18 karma

do you like mustard?

RL__Stine62 karma

Why are you asking this? Do you have a thing about mustard?

MattBaster15 karma

Ermahgerd, thank you for doing this AMA! I’ve read that instead of getting scared, you laugh at horror movies. With that in mind, what is the “funniest” movie you’ve ever seen?

RL__Stine28 karma

The Rink with Charlie Chaplin Duck Soup with the Marx Brothers The Naked Gun

Grimmmm12 karma

Hi Bob! Long time fan here. It's a dream of mine to write and illustrate a collection of scary stories for kids. I've started posting to Instagram and getting some of my stories out there. Any advice as far as next steps for someone trying to get started in the publishing world?

RL__Stine27 karma

Find a list of agents online and start showing them your stuff.

optimystical3 karma

How close was Jack black's portrayal of you in the movie?

RL__Stine10 karma

Not close at all. He played me as Orson Welles! Hilarious.

chaikowsky2 karma

What's the scariest thing you've ever experienced as a child?

RL__Stine3 karma

Maybe my measles shot.

ChillemDafoe2 karma

What's up next for you, literarily speaking?

RL__Stine4 karma

Working on the new Goosebumps SlappyWorld series.

flyingsquirrell262 karma

Where is your dream vacation spot?

RL__Stine3 karma

St. Croix. We go there every Christmas.