I love Joe Hill ~ BUT ~

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scar1ett

Member
May 8, 2011
8
46
Am I the only one that is REALLY bothered by this line from 'Afterword'?

SK when thanking people. "My son, the novelist Joe Hill, pointed out several consequences of time-travel I hadn't considered. He, also, thought up a new and better ending. Joe, you rock."

I totally agree that Joe rocks ~ I'm reading 'Horns' at the moment and have ALL his other books. 'Heart-Shaped Box' is brilliant! Wonderful writer. However ~

When I'm reading Joe Hill, I want it to be Joe Hill. When I'm reading Stephen King, I want it to BE Stephen King! I will forever wonder what Stephen's ending was. He might think Joe's ending was better ~ but was it really? I have loved SK for many years and enjoy every single one of his books, including the endings. He needs NO help. I know he actually 'writes' the entire book, even if he's encouraged to change parts of it ~ but, to me, it's just not the same. I wish I didn't know this.

Having said that, I love the book. Just wish I knew Stephen's ending. :)

Opinions?
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
Am I the only one that is REALLY bothered by this line from 'Afterword'?

SK when thanking people. "My son, the novelist Joe Hill, pointed out several consequences of time-travel I hadn't considered. He, also, thought up a new and better ending. Joe, you rock."

I totally agree that Joe rocks ~ I'm reading 'Horns' at the moment and have ALL his other books. 'Heart-Shaped Box' is brilliant! Wonderful writer. However ~

When I'm reading Joe Hill, I want it to be Joe Hill. When I'm reading Stephen King, I want it to BE Stephen King! I will forever wonder what Stephen's ending was. He might think Joe's ending was better ~ but was it really? I have loved SK for many years and enjoy every single one of his books, including the endings. He needs NO help. I know he actually 'writes' the entire book, even if he's encouraged to change parts of it ~ but, to me, it's just not the same. I wish I didn't know this.

Having said that, I love the book. Just wish I knew Stephen's ending. :)

Opinions?
First, welcome! :howdy:

Now, I have news for you: when you are reading SK you are also reading the influences of whoever he is reading at the time, something the grocery store clerk might say, something Tabby, his wife may suggest, etc., etc. and above all else, his editors at S&S. No writer is an island. This time it just happened to be Joe.
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
Administrator
Jul 10, 2006
52,243
157,324
Maine
Am I the only one that is REALLY bothered by this line from 'Afterword'?

SK when thanking people. "My son, the novelist Joe Hill, pointed out several consequences of time-travel I hadn't considered. He, also, thought up a new and better ending. Joe, you rock."

I totally agree that Joe rocks ~ I'm reading 'Horns' at the moment and have ALL his other books. 'Heart-Shaped Box' is brilliant! Wonderful writer. However ~

When I'm reading Joe Hill, I want it to be Joe Hill. When I'm reading Stephen King, I want it to BE Stephen King! I will forever wonder what Stephen's ending was. He might think Joe's ending was better ~ but was it really? I have loved SK for many years and enjoy every single one of his books, including the endings. He needs NO help. I know he actually 'writes' the entire book, even if he's encouraged to change parts of it ~ but, to me, it's just not the same. I wish I didn't know this.

Having said that, I love the book. Just wish I knew Stephen's ending. :)

Opinions?

We've posted it here--sorry I don't have the link handy but perhaps someone else does. Joe came up with the basic suggestion but what Steve wrote was his spin from that. That said, it's not that much different from any book as editors give him input for changes as well. It's just that he doesn't usually say so and so editor suggested this or that.
 

Shasta

On his shell he holds the earth.
We've posted it here--sorry I don't have the link handy but perhaps someone else does. Joe came up with the basic suggestion but what Steve wrote was his spin from that. That said, it's not that much different from any book as editors give him input for changes as well. It's just that he doesn't usually say so and so editor suggested this or that.
Agreed. Books aren't just put together by one person. Ever.
 

scar1ett

Member
May 8, 2011
8
46
Hi and welcome--
here is a a link to the original ending.

StephenKing.com - 11/22/63 Alternate Ending

Thank you SO MUCH. So, it really wasn't THAT big a deal. :) I didn't know how much of the ending had been changed. I am really happy that I know now. Also, thanks Ms. Mod. I do know that there are, sometimes, suggestions made by many people. I just hate to think of ANYone changing anything by THE KING! ;)