How could SK know?

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GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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Imagination aside... how could SK know of the guilt carried by Janice, for being poor-single-mother, compelling her to consider apologizing for everything?
....well, he created the character number one, so crafting motivation wouldn't be that hard....and number two, Steve's own mother was not well to do and was abandoned by her husband, so I figure King knows a thing or three from watching her struggle.....
 

carrie's younger brother

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Mar 8, 2012
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Imagination aside... how could SK know of the guilt carried by Janice, for being poor-single-mother, compelling her to consider apologizing for everything?
Maybe by doing research? I'm sure there are psychological studies done on "poor-single-mothers" out there for anyone interested in doing research on this subject to study. Or perhaps he personally knows someone in this situation and questioned this person on the subject?
 

AnnaMarie

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Feb 16, 2012
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Mr. Yummy includes a main character who is gay, during the beginning of
aids running rampant through the gay community
.

I'd bet dollars AND donuts he doesn't have first hand experience with that either.

should I. Have worded that differently? :nudge: [/spoiler.]
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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Cambridge, Ohio
Don't want to usurp Scott's great answer, but he's also a prolific reader. It's surprising what factual information you pick up reading fiction. My mum always relates how people say to her 'how do you know that?' ...'Because I read it in a Stephen King book' she says.
...and the people he contracts with to do research are no slouches either....'cept for that Glock carryin' arc light repairman.....
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
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He watched The Guiding Light years back? :)

Heh! Yeah, you can shoot me later. I recall watching one of those shows and all the actors male female paused and an off-screen voice said...seductively..."the character of so-and-so is being played by...someone". I liked how they all pretended they didn't hear that! The man is living his sixth decade. I imagine he's taken the time to listen to people.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
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Imagination aside... how could SK know of the guilt carried by Janice, for being poor-single-mother, compelling her to consider apologizing for everything?
Hi bocraeder

I was a single mother for a while after my divorce. I even continued to wear my old wedding ring set as it was hard to take it off. People judge others all the time, so I guess after enough criticism the character Janice was just doing something that came naturally for her.

But - also - see what GNTLGNT wrote above. There are lots of single mothers out there and I imagine they all face the same obstacles.
 

melindaville

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Nov 14, 2011
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Maybe by doing research? I'm sure there are psychological studies done on "poor-single-mothers" out there for anyone interested in doing research on this subject to study. Or perhaps he personally knows someone in this situation and questioned this person on the subject?

I have taught human development and psychology for years at various universities. There is a ton of research on young, single mothers who are poor. They suffer from poor self-esteem and one of the manifestations of this is feeling that everything that has gone wrong in life (and not just one's own) is your fault.

Personally, it didn't even strike me odd at all--it makes sense that she would feel she needs to apologize for bringing her daughter (who has a cold) to an event in the middle of the night while it was raining. It was her guilt speaking and I thought SK handled it beautifully. But I'll tell you, I just wrote a book and after I was finished, I have never admired SK more because it is SO much work and he does such a beautiful job. I think one of his best qualities as a writer is understanding human emotion, behavior, and relationships. He's as insightful as a psychologist and for a man, he writes with unbelievable perception about women.

I'm such a fangirl. What can I say?
 

carrie's younger brother

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Mar 8, 2012
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I have taught human development and psychology for years at various universities. There is a ton of research on young, single mothers who are poor. They suffer from poor self-esteem and one of the manifestations of this is feeling that everything that has gone wrong in life (and not just one's own) is your fault.

Personally, it didn't even strike me odd at all--it makes sense that she would feel she needs to apologize for bringing her daughter (who has a cold) to an event in the middle of the night while it was raining. It was her guilt speaking and I thought SK handled it beautifully. But I'll tell you, I just wrote a book and after I was finished, I have never admired SK more because it is SO much work and he does such a beautiful job. I think one of his best qualities as a writer is understanding human emotion, behavior, and relationships. He's as insightful as a psychologist and for a man, he writes with unbelievable perception about women.

I'm such a fangirl. What can I say?
I think you said it all. And very nicely! :)