Would King have ever finished the series without the accident? *spoilers*

[Woofer]

Woofer: the extended discussion of Deus ex machina AllHail is referring to took place in this thread

Thanks! I'll check out the thread.

as far as those 100 pages are concerned, it isn't even the quantity, it's the quality - I don't mean the quality of writing, but the composition. It's all straightforward, without any intrigue,

Spoiler:

he appears right before the finish line and moves directly towards it until he crosses it.

He is merely, purely, undilutedly instrumental, and that's what Kings normally wouldn't do when the instrument in question is intended to perform a task of such magnitude.

I agree, and much of that is still taken up with Susannah's... you know. I think it would have worked better

Spoiler:

if they'd kept Insomnia and read at least some of it on the trail.

I think that it would have not seemed so awkward, at least to me. As you say, it's unlike what King usually does.

[Allie]

But why does it feel rushed at all?

The reason it felt rushed to me was, along with Patrick Danvilles quick entrance, themes and concepts and characters that had been being developed for a long time in the series, we cut off very short, like the demise of Walter, to me it sort of felt like King was unsure how to complete Walters part in the story, for all the importance he had in the first books, to end him like that felt wrong, like their was huge build up to nothing.

[cozener]

Dunno...I think he would have but it would have taken longer...and I bet the last three books would have been different than they are too...probably better. I agree that the last 3 seemed rushed and the mood/atmosphere was not consistent with the first 4.

[Letti]

For me DT 7 couldn't be better. There are a few parts I don't like but I wouldn't like to change them. It's good as it is (for me).
I don't think there could be an ending that everyone would like. Impossible.

[Allie]

Oh definitely Letti, King could never have satisfied everyone.

[LadyHitchhiker]

The Dark Tower was his baby. he would have finished it.

[walterodim]

As a die hard lover of the very (unchanged) first book:

I would be satisfied if King wrote this year or 2-3 years earlier the 5th one (considering the pace untill the 4th one) And somewhere near 2012-2015 the 6th one. I wouldn't mind that much if the story would remain unfinished at the time of Kings death. Rather have 5-6 good books then 3 rushed ones.

I know it sounds harsh, but that's the way I feel about the last 3 books, even though I liked the ending.

[Wuducynn]

[walterodim]

[Letti]

Maybe SoS is a bit rushed... but the other two books are so so detailed and rich. For my part I don't feel them rushed at all.

[Jean]

how is SoS rushed? everything is pretty well detailed there, isn't it? There seems to be some rush about DT7, with new characters introduced apparently ad hoc, but even there it doesn't have to be given the simplest of possible explanations (i.e. that SK was in a hurry and all those usual accusations); there are multiple threads around where the development of the books is discussed and not necessarily condemned.

[Letti]

Don't ask me, Jean.
I said maybe and a bit.

[Wuducynn]

The pace of the plot speeds up exponentially between Wolves and DT7 but I don't feel the books themselves were written in a rushed way.

[jayson]

The pace of the plot speeds up exponentially between Wolves and DT7 but I don't feel the books themselves were written in a rushed way.

i agree, it fits more with the idea that time "started up again" as Eddie says. things start happening faster bc they are getting closer to the end of the path.

[blackrose22]

I think the accident did speed SK into finishing the story. While recovering I think he saw the chance that he could die before he finished his magnum opus and knew that if he didn't get it done himself than his publishers might bring in somebody else (maybe Peter Straud) to complete it (so they could milk the cash cow for a few more million dollars). This would most likely have appalled him and got him motivated to see it through till the end.

[Letti]

Can you imagine that the publishers might have brought in somebody else to finish it??? Who the blue hell would have read that?
I am sure I wouldn't. Never ever.

[Brice]

I think the accident did speed SK into finishing the story. While recovering I think he saw the chance that he could die before he finished his magnum opus and knew that if he didn't get it done himself than his publishers might bring in somebody else (maybe Peter Straud) to complete it (so they could milk the cash cow for a few more million dollars). This would most likely have appalled him and got him motivated to see it through till the end.

I really don't think they'd have done that at all. I think if anything the only issue would be whether the tale was told or not. And as Letti said, I wouldn't even consider reading it if any other author were to finish it. Nor would I consider what they wrote part of the tale.

[blackrose22]

Can you imagine that the publishers might have brought in somebody else to finish it??? Who the blue hell would have read that?
I am sure I wouldn't. Never ever.

I know what you mean Letti but if it had happened I most likely would have read it out of curiosity just to see how they decided to finish the story. I really do wonder if this thought crossed SK mind after his accident.

[Letti]

Can you imagine that the publishers might have brought in somebody else to finish it??? Who the blue hell would have read that?
I am sure I wouldn't. Never ever.

I know what you mean Letti but if it had happened I most likely would have read it out of curiosity just to see how they decided to finish the story. I really do wonder if this thought crossed SK mind after his accident.

I must say you are a very brave person. I wouldn't, that's sure.
Even if it was good I couldn't enjoy it. No way.
A novel or a series is like a personal diary... if you die or if you can't write it anymore because of some reason noone ever can contiue it. But I guess you agree with me.

[blackrose22]

Can you imagine that the publishers might have brought in somebody else to finish it??? Who the blue hell would have read that?
I am sure I wouldn't. Never ever.

I know what you mean Letti but if it had happened I most likely would have read it out of curiosity just to see how they decided to finish the story. I really do wonder if this thought crossed SK mind after his accident.

I must say you are a very brave person. I wouldn't, that's sure.
Even if it was good I couldn't enjoy it. No way.
A novel or a series is like a personal diary... if you die or if you can't write it anymore because of some reason noone ever can contiue it. But I guess you agree with me.

I think the accident did speed SK into finishing the story. While recovering I think he saw the chance that he could die before he finished his magnum opus and knew that if he didn't get it done himself than his publishers might bring in somebody else (maybe Peter Straud) to complete it (so they could milk the cash cow for a few more million dollars). This would most likely have appalled him and got him motivated to see it through till the end.

I really don't think they'd have done that at all. I think if anything the only issue would be whether the tale was told or not. And as Letti said, I wouldn't even consider reading it if any other author were to finish it. Nor would I consider what they wrote part of the tale.

When I heard SK had his accident I got scared that he wouldn't pull through and the story would be left unfinished (shouldn't of cared about the story really just as long as SK recovered and fuck it if the story was never finished). It got me thinking that his publishers might get someone in to finish it off (maybe not straight away but a number of years down the road). If this had have happen it would not be the end of the story for me as SK would not have written it. If it had happen like this I would have read it as I said just out of curiosity to see what another author might have came up with. So I do agree with both of you. But to say his publishers wouldn't do this I not too sure as SK is money making machine for them.
This line of debate is going slightly off topic I think. Sorry folks for that.

[walterodim]

I understand the decision of King to rush the last 3 books (Canterbury Tales)
But I didn't like it. Still it's the best work of him and any other writer I know

[KaLikeAWheel]

I hope this hasn't already been asked......


How do you suppose The Dark Tower would have ended if Sai King had never been hit by that van; if he could have gone on thinking he was going to live forever (like we all do until we find out otherwise)? Do you think King would have made an appearance in the story? Do you think it may have remained unfinished? I can't wait to hear your theories!

Donna

[razz]

well here's a question. does King writing what happens directly affect the series? think that if he sn't hit, Jake would not have died. therefore Susannah may not have left. Mordred wouldn't have gotten the drop on Roland, Oy would be alive, and the three (or four, with Patrick still with them) would have climbed the tower together. then what happens?

[Letti]

It wasn't easy to find the other thread it but I could.
Cry your pardon lady but I must merge the threads (they are quite about the same). But it means you can read lots of good posts about this question.
I hope the conversation will go on.

[KaLikeAWheel]

Thanks, Letti! I just knew this question had to be here somewhere. I'll be back to play later. Right now I'm leaving work.

Donna