Summary

In King’s introduction to "Premium Harmony," he argues that a young writer often copies the style of another writer, especially one he has read frequently. Eventually, the novice will develop a unique style of his own. He explains he wrote this short story after reading several dozen of Raymond Carver’s stories. For that reason, he believes it has the feel of one of his stories. One difference King notes is his use of Black humor where Carver had little sense of humor.

In “Premium Harmony,” after 10 years of marriage, Ray and Mary have started to argue.

Ray is driving them to Walmart because Mary believes they need grass seed on the front lawn to fill in the bare patches if they are going to sell their house. She says if they do not sell it, they will go bankrupt. Ray argues...