Question on The Gunslinger

[writerpaul]

Is it correct to say that the narrative in The Gunslinger is telling telling instead of showing?

And it's because Roland is telling the stories, but Stephen King wrote it the narrative in sections?

Is that correct?

[GNTLGNT]

"I'll take "Stephen King Motivations" for $400 Alex."(I know that doesn't help a whit, but the Jeopardy theme is what rolled thru my pea brain when I read your post)...

[jbigelow4]

I'm new to this site so please be kind....
I started rereading the Ginslinger series and this go round I can almost hear the homage to Michael Moorcock and his Eternal Champion series. It seems to me that Roland and those eternal champions have a lot of similar attributes (obviously very different characters). I know that Stephen King has mentioned that he wanted to do an epic like Tolkein and inspired by Spagetti Westerns, etc but I wasn't sure if he ever mentioned being influenced by Michael's writings...

Just checking and wondering if anyone else felt the same way.

[Robert Gray]

It seems an interesting notion. I have no doubt that Sai King has probably read at least one or two of Moorcock's books. He is a voracious reader. I don't think they were any influence on him. In his many essays, books, and interviews on writing (and his influences) they have never come up. This is a pretty good indication because he isn't shy or coy about commenting on the things he likes or dislikes. There is something else going on here and it has very little to do with Sai King and everything to do with you. :)

It is like a Rorschach Test. You are seeing things you like and want to see. There is nothing wrong with it. We all do it. It is probable that you like Moorcock's works. Strong protagonists around whom the universe revolves are always going to have superficial characteristics in common. I think that is about as far as it goes. You are likely to find those same characteristics (that they have in common) held by the majority of warrior protagonists.