Stephen King Questions

[horror_wench]

Hi. I have a question. In the book, Christine, by Stephen King, he switches the style of writing. At first, he writes from the point of view of Dennis Guilder. Up until Arnie-Teen Age Love Songs, Dennis is telling the story. Then, suddenly and without any warning, I noticed Dennis is no longer telling the story. Does anyone know what is up with this? Or has anyone ever noticed? I'm just wondering. I wish I could ask him myself cause its starting to bug, lol.
Love, The Horror Wench

[jenna26]

One of my least favorite King books, I don't care for it much at all. Anyway, the reason he changed styles is because originally Dennis was supposed to tell the whole story, but along the way, the character ended up in the hospital. And he couldn't continue the story laid up in the hospital, because he couldn't know what was going on. So King switched it up. I don't think it worked very well, myself. But King often talks about how he doesn't always know what a character is going to do, or what might happen to them along the way, they develop almost on their own. So he just ended up writing himself into a corner and had to figure out a way to get out.....it happens.....;)

[alkytrio666]

Originally Posted by jenna26

But King often talks about how he doesn't always know what a character is going to do, or what might happen to them along the way, they develop almost on their own.

And it works damn well 99% of the time. I think the reason King's work is so incredibly life-like is because, as you said, his characters literally grow as he's writing them.

I'm reading Different Seasons right now, and it's blowing me away.

[bloodrayne]

Originally Posted by alkytrio666

And it works damn well 99% of the time. I think the reason King's work is so incredibly life-like is because, as you said, his characters literally grow as he's writing them.

He said that he was very upset that John Coffey died in Green Mile, because he really liked him...and even moreso after the movie was made because he really likes Michael Clarke Duncan, too

He said that even though he wanted the character to live...'The story' just didn't allow it to happen that way

He said it was what 'the story' wanted, not what he wanted

If you think about it...That's actually kinda weird...lol

[neverending]

Originally Posted by alkytrio666

I'm reading Different Seasons right now, and it's blowing me away.

That's one of my favorite King books- those are all early stories.

King is hit or miss, for me. Particularly later King.

[horror_wench]

Thank you all so much. As I continue reading, I notice that Dennis takes over again after his stay ni the hospital. Thank you for your help. Christine is not my fave Stephen King, (Needful Things is....it was the first book I ever read by him lol) but I am enjoying it. I love his work, and the way his mind works. Thank again. The Horror Wench

[jenna26]

Originally Posted by alkytrio666

And it works damn well 99% of the time. I think the reason King's work is so incredibly life-like is because, as you said, his characters literally grow as he's writing them.

I'm reading Different Seasons right now, and it's blowing me away.

No doubt. People can say what they want about King's writing ability or lack thereof, but his characterization is really amazing. He has a true talent for creating characters that seem real, and practically just jump off the page. A lot of writers have some great ideas, but can't write a realistic character to save their lives.
Different Seasons is one of my favorites, it showed he was more than just a horror writer. And Apt Pupil disturbed me about as much as anything I have ever read.