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Jul 31, 2010, 10:45am

Discussion of Issue #1

FH Forum :: Featured content of Fantastic Horror :: Past Issues :: FH#1 :: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa

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Topic: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa (Read 534 times)

Hodgson
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"Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Thread Started on May 30, 2007, 12:21pm »

Hello, and welcome to the public discussion forum of Fantastic Horror. The topic of this thread is "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa, featured in Issue #1.

Writers and artists love to get feedback, especially when it's thoughtful and constructive. Please take a moment to share your thoughts, and help keep the Fantastic Horror community alive!

If you haven't read the story yet, STOP RIGHT HERE and go read it!! This discussion may contain spoilers. At the end of the story, you'll find a link back to this thread.

« Last Edit: May 30, 2007, 5:32pm by Hodgson »

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Hodgson
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Re: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Reply #1 on Jun 1, 2007, 6:52am »

I think that the most interesting technical feature of this story is the assumption into the premise of a background that is never directly described. This can be a useful method of capturing concentrated scenes of fantasy without the burden of extended explanation--however interesting and enjoyable such description may sometimes be.

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charlesfarley
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Re: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Reply #2 on Jun 1, 2007, 1:23pm »

When I read a story I don't like to be lead around by the hand. I like to make my own connections and a little mystery lets me feel more involved as I read. I try to write the same way, for better or worse.

Also, I didn't want to get to involved in labeling what is exactly wrong with Sharon either. If I said she was Bi-polar or paranoid schizophrenic I felt the wonder would be gone out of the story.

This way, the reader can pull more from the story and decide what is real and what isn't for themselves.

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hauntedshirley
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Re: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Reply #3 on Jul 19, 2007, 8:58pm »

This story was relentless in its focus and I agree that the spell would have been broken or at least chipped by any detailed diagnosis of Sharon's malady. I particularly liked the description of the gun and the way that it gave her bravado even while being useless iin protecting her against her tormentors.
I am so glad I'm not Sharon. I'm not, right??? who let that rat in here?

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JJ Burke
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Re: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Reply #4 on Aug 13, 2007, 3:46am »

here's what i had to say during the review process (still true today):

this lady is pretty deranged, and i like the ambiguity of wondering what's real and what's a figment of her mental adventure. even the use of the bible and the devil is ambiguous, like maybe this is just her christian interpretation of bizarre and abstruse hallucinations. all this i find enjoyable. the ending is sort of a bummer, but maybe that's the only way it can be.

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charlesfarley
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Re: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Reply #5 on Aug 28, 2007, 7:01pm »

I was trying to deal with two things that have bothered me for awhile when I wrote this.

The first is my catholic upbringing and the way some people have of brushing off all things bad that happen in their lives with the idea that somehow God has a reason for things that happen and if you have faith, all will be well. I find this a weak and simple way for people not to get involved with their own lives and sometimes deaths.

Second, is the way that the medical and psychological professions will lead people to believe that there is a pill for "that". Whatever "that" is in your life.

I find the search for cheap (and when it comes to pills, sometimes not) and easy answers to life will usually let you down.

I know this sounds like one way cancels out the other but I feel and hope that there is something other than God or drugs.

« Last Edit: Aug 28, 2007, 7:05pm by charlesfarley »

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JJ Burke
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Re: "Beat the Devil" by John Di Rosa
« Reply #6 on Sept 22, 2008, 8:28pm »

coming with FH#8: an audio theater production by matthew ewald of john di rosa's 'beat the devil'—the original story page will be updated to offer the mp3.

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