Stephen King And The Words "...That Was"

Cafe Society
1

This is just an observation, I don’t have a question.

King seems to like those words - they appear in almost all of his novels that I remember. He should like them, because he uses them correctly, when used in a sentence indicating past tense.

They always bring me to a bemused stop when I see them on the page and I think of them as his trademark.

Thanks

Quasi

2

Can you give some examples?

3

Yea I’ve read many Stephen King books and I can’t think of an example of what you mean.

4

I have always been impressed with how he works “he said” into almost every piece he’s ever written. Levels of subtlety beyond what we would expect from a “schlockmeister” like King, and a winking inside joke to his fans who pay attention…

(I, as well, seem to be missing the point.)

5

How many direct quotes would you like? There are at least 4 instances in his latest book, Full Dark, No Stars, but my wife has the book and she’s not here, so you’ll have to wait.

Some people incorrectly say, “blah,blah, that is” no matter if whatis being referred to in the present OR the past tense. King correctly uses it for both tenses: “that is” for present tense and “that was” for past tense.

He does that consistently correctly and Fidelius, I don’t need your sarcasm.

6

In his book on writing that was called “On Writing” King writes to write “said,” instead of words like ejaculated, exclaimed, etc. He said that was the proper way to write it.

7

I can think of a few, one from Under the Dome, when he says “that was” the last time the sheriff’s wife saw him alive. He did it in Duma Key too, also foreshadowing the death of a character.

Is that what you mean, Quasi?

8

In the novella “1922” in Full Dark, No Stars pages 27-28:

“And he would have filled his evenings either visiting over at Cottere’s or walking up and down our dirt road with Shannon. When they weren’t kissing, that was”.

9

My post above was due to a misunderstanding and I apologize to Dr. Fidelius for overreacting. I sometimes get frustrated when I can’t make myself understood, and that’s happening a lot these days.

Again, I’m sorry.

Bill