Discussion (2018): Under The Weather

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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
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Apr 11, 2006
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You are so right. And he does it so well.

Putting the story aside for just a second, I was wondering about his use of trademarked products -- can authors do that for free? do they have to ask? do they have to pay? Because a lot of products are used in this story because the guy is in advertising.

I found this on the topic and wondered, do you think Stephen followed these guidelines?

Rights of Writers: Can I Mention Brand Name Products in My Fiction?
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
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So many questions--- would love to know more about the couple before we are introduced to them. The gross factor is always there-- as well as a critter. Doggie chewing away at the hand. Totally gross. Denial on Brad's part---
and face too. the description of the face made it sound like the dog, licking its master to wake up, eventually took it further.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
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Apr 11, 2006
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What I also found interesting, and Stephen says it himself in the foreword to the story -- you know where this story is going. We all knew where this story was going.

Why didn't the people in the story put two and two together? Yes, they did at the end there. Suspicions about the smell narrowed down to his apartment and people commenting about not seeing the wife.

If those two things came together in my life, I think I would be calling the police, not an exterminator.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
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Just north of Duma Key
What I also found interesting, and Stephen says it himself in the foreword to the story -- you know where this story is going. We all knew where this story was going.

Why didn't the people in the story put two and two together? Yes, they did at the end there. Suspicions about the smell narrowed down to his apartment and people commenting about not seeing the wife.

If those two things came together in my life, I think I would be calling the police, not an exterminator.
Maybe it was the intent to have this story take the alternate route-- no report of an unseen wife, tenant. Rather an odor smell instead. One calls the exterminator, not the investigation by police. Plays out for the reader why is the husband in denial. End results are the same. Eventual discovery.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
So many questions--- would love to know more about the couple before we are introduced to them. The gross factor is always there-- as well as a critter. Doggie chewing away at the hand. Totally gross. Denial on Brad's part---
Brad knows there at the end, subconsciously I think, that the jig is up. He knows his protege will take over his accounts, and he knows it will be "soon." And he sneaks into the apartment, so he knows on some level things aren't right, but then sits with her denying it right to the end.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
Maybe it was the intent to have this story take the alternate route-- no report of an unseen wife, tenant. Rather an odor smell instead. One calls the exterminator, not the investigation by police. Plays out for the reader why is the husband in denial. End results are the same. Eventual discovery.
Oh for sure. There wouldn't have been a story if we jumped from smell to cops. 2 pages, story done.

I always look at these characters as separate from the author, what they should or shouldn't be doing. And dammit! why aren't they doing it? :laugh:
 

Spideyman

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Jul 10, 2006
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Just north of Duma Key
Oh for sure. There wouldn't have been a story if we jumped from smell to cops. 2 pages, story done.

I always look at these characters as separate from the author, what they should or shouldn't be doing. And dammit! why aren't they doing it? :laugh:
When it comes to SK characters-- no holds bared. He listens only to his muse and pen to paper/ or fingers to computer. Have tried to figure out characters in the past and decided just so much more fun going along for the ride. They follow his path and no should of, would of is possible.

Need to get some extra chores accomplished, so I'll shout out a good night.

Remind fljoe0 to pick a "volunteer" for next Wednesday.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
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Just north of Duma Key
oooo, what are the criteria for the story a person chooses?
The past ones have all been short stories, easily available, quickly read, any author. Group started out with SK Nightmare and Dreamscapes picking a diff one each week. Took a path to Bradbury, Poe and Joe Hill. Just post a suggestion and those having that book, or avail on line will shout out an OK.
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
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I have read a ton of short horror stories, but none that are easily available. Gosh, I don't know. I was looking for something different, but I don't want to get too different that no one wants to read it.

We've been picking mostly from all of the Stephen King works, Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghosts, Ray Bradbury's October Country and Poe. We've also picked from some public domain works. We've been trying to keep it to books people on the board probably have or can easily get for free.