The Stand question

King has a superior command of the language, a much broader range of genres that he is capable of writing in, and better taste in music. He is well above average, but he's no Hemingway.

In contrast, Patterson uses stolid, reliable prose, a consistent--if somewhat shallow--sense of character and plot/storyline, and he wears sweater vests. He's above average, but he's no Stephen King.

Robert Mccammon

No comparison Stephen King writes his own books.

King is completely superior, Patterson lost interest in character development over a decade ago. He churns out book after book completely devoid of depth or substance.

Stephen King

King by a mile. Some of Patterson's have made some good movies though.

Patterson writes many books with same character, King does that but of course many other characters as well. King stands alone.

Are you serious? There is no comparison. King is awesome. Patterson is less than mediocre. Terrible plots with massive holes. Horrible dialogue, for the most part. Try reading Patterson aloud sometime, okay?

James patterson puts alot of books a year at the moment and there all very sub standed i feel its just about the $$$ for him

Looks like Stephen King is the winner so far! James Patterson's novels are factory-farmed offerings, written to a formula, whereas King is his own man.

King is the King - by far. Other than that brief period where he did Dolores Claybourne and a few others to pitiful to mention, he has continued to scare the socks off me! He has the knack of turning a very ordinary situation into something so damned scary. I enjoyed James Patterson's earlier works, but he has definitely lost the plot lately.

Strange question since they write in different genres. I can't really compare since I only read one Patterson's novel and I forgot it a few days later.

Believe me, I never forget King's stories. :)

Stephen King since he is the only one of the two that writes books anymore. Patterson admits that he doesn't write books anymore. He outlines and edits books that other people write in his name.

That's like asking what I enjoy eating more, a cheeseburger or dirt.

I want to know your answer. You put the question out there but don't offer your opinion.

I think Stephen King just because and he just is. James Patterson is the most overrated author I've ever read. His books are fluff, they are easy (but hard to put down) reads. Most of his books I've finished in just a couple of hours.

Stephen King has a warped mind and depth that James Patterson lacks.

To be honest, I don't believe that either author writes like they used to but they are still incredibly popular.

Stephen King by a literary mile! I have read most of his books - the stand 4 times- I consider it one of my personal top ten. I do very much like Robert McCammon as well having read swan song twice. James Patterson is lousy - if you want to read a great Patterson read Richard North Patterson - he is awesome.

There is no contest! Stephen king is a literary genius! Patterson is a hack who doesnt even write his own books. The only thing that james pattersons books are good for is when your down the shore and you want a book that doesn't need any brain cells to read. Personally i would like to use it at the bottom of the bird cage!

Stephen King writes his own books, Patterson no longer does. He does outlines and others write the actual stories. His formulaic books no longer catch my attention. Patterson seems to write the same the plot line over and over again - while with King, you never know what he'll come up with. In mu opinion that keeps his writing fresh and new.

Stephen King has done many different characters, for example I am reading James Patterson right now and it is another Alex Cross story. I do like James Patterson, but other than the Gunslinger series, Stephen King creates new characters and story lines in most of his books.

Try Robert McCammon, "Swans Song" is neck and neck with "the stand". Of Patterson and King, its king by a mile.

I like both authors really. But you asked who is my favorite author, it would have to be Stephen King. James Patterson is what I call "easy reading" meaning the chapters are short and you can get through one of his books fairly quickly. There is nothing wrong with "easy reading", but King wins in my book--so to speak(pun)

Stephen King, hands down! He has written a few less than stellar books, but the good ones are GREAT! Patterson is a guilty-pleasure writer. Fun (in a scary way) to read but definitely not a great writer. And I have also heard that he writes the plot outlines and someone else actually writes the books.

King, no question. Patterson writes books for people who would not otherwise read books.

I've heard that Patterson does not even write his own books any more. I've heard he dictates the plot to someone else and they write it. Not sure if this is true, but if it is it's pretty lame.

seems like a silly question really. Patterson was ok but seems to have become a by the numbers hash them out quickly guy these days, doesn't he pair up with another writer on some books as well now?

King, for all his faults and irrespective of Under the Dome, does knock out some pretty original books and no one has nailed the moment of friendship begining as keenly as King does