The short stories/vignettes of background characters is actually my favorite feature of a full Stephen King novel. For me it enriches the world the story is set in and shows that the author gave it real depth. It also gives a small emotional pause, a step away from the main plot. I often needs those breaks or I get too caught up in the flow.

It does greatly increase the length of some of his books though.

I can’t think of another author I’ve read that does things like that. Wish they would.