Stephen King has uttered some wise words to any aspiring novelist - writing is just like sex.

The author of creepy horror stories, including Carrie and The Shining, which were both made into to hair-raising films, has revealed that penning a top-selling book is just like getting fresh.

During an interview with msnbc.com he revealed: "If you can't write anything longer than a short story, don't push it (or try to pad it)," he told one aspiring novelist.

"In writing as in sex, the best advice is to relax and let nature take her course."

The acclaimed author also revealed what his top five favourite books were: Lord of the Flies by William Golding taking the top spot, followed by George Orwell's 1984. A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin was his third choice, with James Dickey's Deliverance in fourth and Charles Dickens' Bleak House in fifth.

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