Yes, often they are. King likes to write about ordinary people who are suddenly thrust into extraordinary and terrifying situations. They don't have special powers or training at the start. For example, in 'Carrie', Carrie is a bullied high school girl who has to deal with her emerging telekinetic powers while still being an outcast.
One common element is the use of ordinary settings that turn terrifying. For example, a small town like in 'Salem's Lot' which seems normal at first but is filled with vampires. Another is the complex and often flawed characters. They are not the typical heroes but regular people faced with extraordinary horror, like Jack Torrance in 'The Shining' who has his own inner demons. Also, the sense of an unseen and malevolent force that slowly reveals itself throughout the story.
A lot of Stephen King's stories are set in Maine. It's like his personal horror playground. The small towns there, with their old houses and long winters, create a perfect backdrop for the spooky tales. You also find settings like schools, which can be really creepy places in his stories. In 'Carrie', the high school is where all the horror unfolds. There are also settings related to the past, like old burial grounds or historical sites. They carry a sense of mystery and often unleash the terrors that King is so good at writing about.
You need to build a creepy atmosphere. Use vivid descriptions of settings and sounds to make the readers feel uneasy. Also, create complex and flawed characters that the readers can relate to but also fear for.
It's a great novel. It has a really engaging plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well - developed, and King's signature style of mixing the ordinary with the supernatural is on full display.
It's difficult to say exactly how many short stories Stephen King has written. His bibliography is extensive, and new ones are still being discovered. Suffice it to say, it's a large and impressive collection.