Comments on: Dead Like Huh? http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/ More than you ever wanted to hear from Bestselling Author Jenny Crusie. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:42:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Bridget http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-12337 Bridget Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:20:08 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-12337 Best story I have read about ghost driving. Even though I can't say I love it. When I read this thread, I remembered this story. I could of course not remember the title or the author - but I tell you every now and again when my driving is getting agressive, I remember this story and slow down. That's how badly it scared me. But that's why geeks invented Google. http://www.sff.net/people/james.van.pelt/sample.htm Bridget Best story I have read about ghost driving. Even though I can’t say I love it. When I read this thread, I remembered this story. I could of course not remember the title or the author – but I tell you every now and again when my driving is getting agressive, I remember this story and slow down. That’s how badly it scared me.

But that’s why geeks invented Google.

http://www.sff.net/people/james.van.pelt/sample.htm

Bridget

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]]> By: Leslie http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11813 Leslie Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:58:49 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11813 Hi Jenny, just discovered your site(s) thanks to Making Light linking to your Glittery HooHa post; I can't begin to tell you how much that made me laugh. I hope someone writes the paper for the Pop Culture conference! I've greatly enjoyed your books, and am looking forward to reading here as well. As for this post, dead woman accompanied by ghost semi ... RfP's <i>A whole otherworldly travel industry populated by those who failed to “share the road” in life</i> ... sounds like a (post)modern version of purgatory to me. So why is she not in Paradise, after she swerved for the deer and all? There's your arc - the answer to that, and whatever it takes to resolve it. This sounds too good not to work with - if you don't want ghosts in two different books, maybe you could work her into your current one? Or just have a separate branch of paraCrusienormal books ... Hi Jenny, just discovered your site(s) thanks to Making Light linking to your Glittery HooHa post; I can’t begin to tell you how much that made me laugh. I hope someone writes the paper for the Pop Culture conference! I’ve greatly enjoyed your books, and am looking forward to reading here as well.

As for this post, dead woman accompanied by ghost semi … RfP’s A whole otherworldly travel industry populated by those who failed to “share the road” in life … sounds like a (post)modern version of purgatory to me. So why is she not in Paradise, after she swerved for the deer and all? There’s your arc – the answer to that, and whatever it takes to resolve it.

This sounds too good not to work with – if you don’t want ghosts in two different books, maybe you could work her into your current one? Or just have a separate branch of paraCrusienormal books …

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]]> By: Jamie http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11635 Jamie Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:46:08 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11635 Oh, yeah. I loved the excerpt, just in case you couldn't tell. Oh, yeah. I loved the excerpt, just in case you couldn’t tell.

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]]> By: Jamie http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11634 Jamie Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:45:24 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11634 Clarification here - The would-be killer is the boyfriend of the husband's mistress. The husband doesn't know about him, but he knows about the husband and hates his guts. The mistress is basically stringing him along to get him to kill the wife, because she knows he is insane and would do it for her. Okay, I really am done now. Clarification here –
The would-be killer is the boyfriend of the husband’s mistress. The husband doesn’t know about him, but he knows about the husband and hates his guts. The mistress is basically stringing him along to get him to kill the wife, because she knows he is insane and would do it for her.
Okay, I really am done now.

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]]> By: Jamie http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11633 Jamie Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:43:29 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11633 I would have her think she's dead, when she is actually only in a coma hidden in a dark cave by a madman. And there is one guy who can, not only see her, but feel her as well. They fight, explore the "murder" to find her husband's mistresses boyfriend did it to make her happy so she would leave the husband (he's a little nutso and a friend of the family, kind of a sleeper character) and eventually fall in love, have raunchy ghost sex and discover where the nutcase has hidden her body to reunite her with her body. But when they try to reunite her with her body, they can't and she discovers along the way that the only way she can get her body back is to take charge of her life and stop letting people walk all over her. OK, I'm done now. I would have her think she’s dead, when she is actually only in a coma hidden in a dark cave by a madman. And there is one guy who can, not only see her, but feel her as well. They fight, explore the “murder” to find her husband’s mistresses boyfriend did it to make her happy so she would leave the husband (he’s a little nutso and a friend of the family, kind of a sleeper character) and eventually fall in love, have raunchy ghost sex and discover where the nutcase has hidden her body to reunite her with her body. But when they try to reunite her with her body, they can’t and she discovers along the way that the only way she can get her body back is to take charge of her life and stop letting people walk all over her.
OK, I’m done now.

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]]> By: Diane (TT) http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11350 Diane (TT) Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:55:33 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11350 I don't see why a ghostly character can't be very similar to how they are in life - at least at first. Lois McMaster Bujold has dead characters who are very much in shock at first and gradually gain awareness and volition in the short term, but fade away over time, with no interactions or matter to feed them. I think wailing ghosts are the ones who fix on one thing and can't let go of it and move on. Whatever moving on might entail (peaceful dissolution, union with the universe, heaven, ghost semis). If I'm going through eternity, though, I'd want something more stylish than a semi, and if all my baggage is incorporeal, I don't see why I can't have a roadster. I don’t see why a ghostly character can’t be very similar to how they are in life – at least at first. Lois McMaster Bujold has dead characters who are very much in shock at first and gradually gain awareness and volition in the short term, but fade away over time, with no interactions or matter to feed them. I think wailing ghosts are the ones who fix on one thing and can’t let go of it and move on. Whatever moving on might entail (peaceful dissolution, union with the universe, heaven, ghost semis).

If I’m going through eternity, though, I’d want something more stylish than a semi, and if all my baggage is incorporeal, I don’t see why I can’t have a roadster.

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]]> By: ZaZa http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11329 ZaZa Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:46:46 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11329 Jenny said... "There’s this dead woman, and she’s accompanied by this ghost semi as she travels through . . . Hmmm. This could take some work. But I see otherworldly weigh stations, definitely." There you go. Graphic novel in collaboration with Neil Gaiman. It's the otherworldly weigh stations that made me think of that. Seriously. ;+) Jenny said…
“There’s this dead woman, and she’s accompanied by this ghost semi as she travels through . . .

Hmmm. This could take some work. But I see otherworldly weigh stations, definitely.”

There you go. Graphic novel in collaboration with Neil Gaiman. It’s the otherworldly weigh stations that made me think of that. Seriously. ;+)

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]]> By: RfP http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11318 RfP Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:47:51 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11318 Otherworldly truck stops and Krispy Kreme shops.... A whole otherworldly travel industry populated by those who failed to "share the road" in life. That's a decent mythology of death--getting stuck eternally in transit. I wonder if Charon ever had to take a semi over the River Styx.... Otherworldly truck stops and Krispy Kreme shops…. A whole otherworldly travel industry populated by those who failed to “share the road” in life. That’s a decent mythology of death–getting stuck eternally in transit. I wonder if Charon ever had to take a semi over the River Styx….

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11313 Jenny Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:26:20 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11313 Okay, wait a minute, I think RfP is on to something here. There's this dead woman, and she's accompanied by this ghost semi as she travels through . . . Hmmm. This could take some work. But I see otherworldly weigh stations, definitely. Okay, wait a minute, I think RfP is on to something here. There’s this dead woman, and she’s accompanied by this ghost semi as she travels through . . .

Hmmm. This could take some work. But I see otherworldly weigh stations, definitely.

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]]> By: colognegrrl http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11306 colognegrrl Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:31:44 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11306 You might want to check Marian Keyes' "No Dress Rehearsal" because it has the same topic: a woman who can't really accept that she is dead (also died in an accident). You might want to check Marian Keyes’ “No Dress Rehearsal” because it has the same topic: a woman who can’t really accept that she is dead (also died in an accident).

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]]> By: Georgie Lee http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11301 Georgie Lee Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:24:04 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11301 It's fun to find old stuff you write. At the time it may not be very inspiring but later on it can be a great source of inspiration. I like what I read and hope you continue with the story. It’s fun to find old stuff you write. At the time it may not be very inspiring but later on it can be a great source of inspiration. I like what I read and hope you continue with the story.

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]]> By: Lori J. http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11298 Lori J. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:06:34 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11298 Speaking of ghosts, Jenny, how's AKMG coming along? We'd love to read more Argh posts on that wip, like you did for Zelda and Mare. ;) Speaking of ghosts, Jenny, how’s AKMG coming along? We’d love to read more Argh posts on that wip, like you did for Zelda and Mare. ;)

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]]> By: McB http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11282 McB Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:58:17 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11282 A ghost cat. That would be good. A ghost cat. That would be good.

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]]> By: BCB http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11267 BCB Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:20:57 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11267 Cats, maybe? Undead snarky cats who eat junk food and throw the wrappers at your head in a silent demand for more? And who do ride-alongs in semis? It could work. Cats, maybe? Undead snarky cats who eat junk food and throw the wrappers at your head in a silent demand for more? And who do ride-alongs in semis? It could work.

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]]> By: RfP http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11265 RfP Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:16:29 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11265 The semi gets off scot-free? Where's the emotional justice in that? It should be doomed to an eternity of road safety classes. The semi gets off scot-free? Where’s the emotional justice in that? It should be doomed to an eternity of road safety classes.

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11264 Jenny Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:12:34 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11264 Ghost semi? I'm already writing ghosts in AKMG. I do two in a row and suddenly Crusies will not just have to have a snarky heroine, a dog, and some junk food to keep me from having things thrown at my head, I'll have to include the undead, too. BTW, no dogs in AKMG. Because there aren't any, that's why. Ghost semi?

I’m already writing ghosts in AKMG. I do two in a row and suddenly Crusies will not just have to have a snarky heroine, a dog, and some junk food to keep me from having things thrown at my head, I’ll have to include the undead, too.

BTW, no dogs in AKMG. Because there aren’t any, that’s why.

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]]> By: RfP http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11263 RfP Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:40:00 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11263 (I meant, the ghost deer and ghost semi.) (I meant, the ghost deer and ghost semi.)

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]]> By: RfP http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11261 RfP Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:41:59 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11261 Revenge story. Maybe she goes back and shoves the deer off the embankment. And calls 1-800-howsmydriving to report the semi. Revenge story. Maybe she goes back and shoves the deer off the embankment. And calls 1-800-howsmydriving to report the semi.

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]]> By: Micki http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11260 Micki Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:23:47 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11260 I really like stories of the dead, and here are some arcs: dead person dies, seeks vengeance on murderer, achieves it and goes to heaven or Beyond. Character has died long ago, is haunting a place, and trying to complete an obsession from life (finding a hidden treasure, providing for children, etc.). Obsession resolved, ghost goes. Character has an on-going commitment to help people left on earth, so each arc involves the living person's problem, build-up and resolution. Great frame for a series. Death is one way to end an arc, but it's not necessarily the end. (-: Kind of like marriage, or having children. Some people extend their arcs beyond the "happily ever after." I really like stories of the dead, and here are some arcs:

dead person dies, seeks vengeance on murderer, achieves it and goes to heaven or Beyond.

Character has died long ago, is haunting a place, and trying to complete an obsession from life (finding a hidden treasure, providing for children, etc.). Obsession resolved, ghost goes.

Character has an on-going commitment to help people left on earth, so each arc involves the living person’s problem, build-up and resolution. Great frame for a series.

Death is one way to end an arc, but it’s not necessarily the end. (-: Kind of like marriage, or having children. Some people extend their arcs beyond the “happily ever after.”

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]]> By: AndreaS http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11256 AndreaS Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:31:02 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/2007/10/01/dead-like-huh/#comment-11256 It was a really great voice. I already want to know more about her, because I feel like we could be really good friends if we met. : D Yeah, you don't know where she's going and it doesn't give any direction. But maybe she's there to help the heroine, and along the way she finds out why she's still here. Who knows. I liked her. And I like food. It was a really great voice. I already want to know more about her, because I feel like we could be really good friends if we met. : D

Yeah, you don’t know where she’s going and it doesn’t give any direction. But maybe she’s there to help the heroine, and along the way she finds out why she’s still here. Who knows. I liked her. And I like food.

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