I got the same feeling listening to Jennifer Egan. I was like, oh yeah, remember when I wrote short stories? Those were good times.
I fell down and got confused. Willow fixed me. She's gay.
BuffyBot ,'Dirty Girls'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Polter-Cow - Aug 20, 2012 7:12:59 pm PDT #19529 of 28343
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
hippocampus - Aug 21, 2012 5:17:20 am PDT #19530 of 28343
not your mom's socks.
Yeah, well. Remember there was already a Ray Bradbury. You need to write what *you* write.
This is good advice.
In the "Don't try this at home" category, Joe Haldeman talks about how to cook a pizza in a foxhole, with plastique, over here: [link]
Atropa - Aug 21, 2012 9:15:44 am PDT #19531 of 28343
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
Oh, that wasn't even hardcore self-deprecation, that was just typical "How could I possibly compare to Ray Bradbury?" bullshit.
Ahahahaha. Yes, I know those feels, to quote the Kids Today.
So this Ray Bradbury guy knows how to write words good
Once you have finished with Something Wicked This Way Comes, you need (NEED!) to read "Homecoming". It's a short story, and it's pretty much THE Bradbury story of my heart.
Polter-Cow - Aug 21, 2012 9:45:27 am PDT #19532 of 28343
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Bradbury was clearly an influence on King. This is very King-y. So ominous! So foreboding! And I love the lightning rod salesman. I thought he was part of the evil carnival at first, but maybe he's not? He seems just as intrigued by the Most Beautiful Woman in the World.
DavidS - Aug 21, 2012 9:47:19 am PDT #19533 of 28343
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Bradbury was clearly an influence on King.
Oh yeah. Something King will readily admit.
I'd say King's three biggest writing influences are Bradbury, Shirley Jackson and Richard Matheson.
But he talks about all three in Danse Macabre.
Polter-Cow - Aug 21, 2012 9:50:24 am PDT #19534 of 28343
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Small town, children, a building sense of dread, and the general vibe/style, though Bradbury has more of a down-home storyteller feel to him.
DavidS - Aug 21, 2012 9:54:27 am PDT #19535 of 28343
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
though Bradbury has more of a down-home storyteller feel to him.
Bradbury grew up in the 20s and 30s instead of the 50s like King. I think that's a factor.
But I think the way King writes child characters is especially indebted to Bradbury.
Atropa - Aug 21, 2012 10:05:02 am PDT #19536 of 28343
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
Is this when I voice my usual wish for King to write an updated version of Dance Macabre? I think it is.
Relatedly, the current issue of Rue Morgue magazine has a wonderful interview with Bradbury. It made me sniffly.
Amy - Aug 21, 2012 10:08:00 am PDT #19537 of 28343
Because books.
I found a copy of Danse Macabre in the used bookstore here last summer, and snatched it right up, even though I have another one somewhere. It's such a fantastic read, about horror and writing and just being human.
I've actually never read Bradbury, although I always meant to. I should get on that. Something Wicked seems like exactly my kind of thing.
Polter-Cow - Aug 21, 2012 10:09:25 am PDT #19538 of 28343
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
I'd never heard of Danse Macabre! It sounds interesting.
Something Wicked seems like exactly my kind of thing.
There's a woman inside a block of ice! I'll bet she gives a cold kiss.