He actually spent quite a few years writing under different pen names and publishing various types of books before finding success with Goosebumps. Some of these early works included:
* Romance novels: He wrote under the name "Jovial Bob Stine" and targeted young adults.
* Non-fiction books: He wrote about a variety of topics, including mysteries and sports.
* Books for children: He even wrote a few picture books under different pseudonyms.
It wasn't until the late 1980s that he started writing horror for young adults, and he quickly became known for his chilling and suspenseful stories. So, while R.L. Stine experimented with different genres early on, he is primarily known for his horror writing.