It would be impossible to convey the wonder and the horror of Stephen King's latest novel in just a few words. Suffice it to say that Duma Key, the story of Edgar Freemantle and his recovery from the terrible nightmare-inducing accident that stole his arm and ended his marriage, is Stephen King's most brilliant novel to date (outside of the Dark Tower novels, in which case each is arguably his best work). Duma Key is as rich and rewarding as Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (yes, that Shawshank Redemption), and as truly scary as anything King has written (and that's saying a lot). Readers who have "always wanted to try Stephen King" but never known where to start should try a few pages of Duma Key -- the frankness with which Edgar reveals his desperate, sputtering rages and thoughts of suicide is King at the top of his game. And that's just the first thirty pages... --Daphne Durham, Editorial Review
- The Talisman - written in conjuction with Peter Straub. (My first SK experience; I've read it 3 times and plan on a 4th before the miniseries comes out)
- The Green Mile - recent series. (I shouldn't have to tell you that the books are better than the movie)
- Bag of Bones
- Dreamcatcher
- Misery - excellent!!
It was described by The Wall Street Journal as follows: "Remarkable and revealing... Memoir, style manual, autobiography - the inspiring On Writing seems almost unclassifiable." (according to the first page)
That's it, really. I have no qualms or doubts about reading it again. More than likely I'll be reading it with a notepad and pencil in hand. There were absolute gems held within those pages, and I can't wait to start implementing them into my writing. I already write more like him, which he assures in the book is perfectly natural, but it's with great satisfaction that I find the words are still mine.
I'm still able to write in my own voice.
I've just been given the go-ahead to tell it like I see it, and not in the pretty fluffy words that are imposed on us by uptight teachers and professors.
In the last few days, I've read the pages aloud to my husband, either while he's watching TV (I love our DVR), or working... but mostly it was while he was driving during our commute home from work. And the sections I read to him have sparked conversations that were important for both of us. My husband is no idiot, thank God, and he understands how important writing is to me. He is also another perspective on what may impress me. Help me see something I'm not considering, or applaud my ability to point out something he missed.
Something else that's important to me: my husband doesn't believe me to be an idiot, either. I think he also sees how happy just reading about writing makes me. He sees how encouraged I am by reading Mr. King's book. He assured me that he has faith in my abilities, and that I have the kind of raw talent that could be molded by Mr. King's advice (when compared to another author I've been reading who approaches writing like there's a map you can follow and find success buried under that damned X).
In case you're wondering, I'm deliberately referring to SK as Mr. King
because I've never met the man, don't know him personally at all, and therefore refuse to address him as Stephen or any other derivation. I'm not just some whack-job fan who thinks she can emulate him and become rich and famous. I am however, a very real fan. I'm serious about developing the craft... if I have any talent to be developed, that is. And as he says in the final pages:"Some of this book - perhaps too much - has been about how I learned to do it. Much of it has been about how you can do it better. The rest of it - and perhaps the best of it - is a permission slip: you can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up."
It has been confirmed that I have low-iron anemia. But what was also discovered is that I am also "probably" genetically predisposed to it. I have either Thalassemia or Alpha-thalassemia, both mild and not prone to generate typical anemic symptoms, according to my PCP (primary care physician). However, because my iron levels got low, anemia developed and - tah-dah! - I'm now required to take medication.
I have to visit a gynocologist next week to make sure that there are no... erm... "womanly" causes for the iron-drop. And I am expecting a call today or tomorrow to confirm my appointment with a hemotologist (a blood guy, for all you laymens) to confirm my PCP's diagnosis on the Thalassemia. Gah, what a mouth-full.
Just a few fun facts about my visit:
Downside - my iron was VERY low, per my bloodwork. Average iron levels in a person are between 40 and 175. I was a whopping 16. (Oh the joy of being special, right?)
Upside - I've lost four (4) pounds since my last visit two weeks ago. I don't know if it's because I'm avoiding wheat or if I've been on such restrictive terms for the last week and a half while trying to get the tests done for the doc. Still... four pounds is four pounds. Rejoice and be glad in it.
Now, just for the fun of it, I looked the thalassemia terms up via Google and found their definitions. (thanks, medterms.com!)
Thalassemia: Not just one disease but rather a complex series of genetic (inherited) disorders all of which involve underproduction of hemoglobin, the indispensable molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The globin part of hemoglobin is made up of 4 polypeptide chains (usually 2 chains of one type and 2 chains of another type of chain). In thalassemia, there is a mutation (change) in one of the types of globin chains. Depending upon which globin chain is affected, the mutation typically leads to underproduction (or absence) of that globin chain, a deficiency of hemoglobin, and anemia.
Alpha Thalassemia: The problem in the thalassemias is with globin production. The thalassemias are classified according to the type of globin polypeptide chain that is underproduced. The alpha chain is involved in alpha thalassemia (and the beta chain is affected in the more familiar beta thalassemia).
In alpha thalassemia, the heterozygous state (with a single gene for alpha thalassemia) is innocuous or harmless. There are no symptoms or at most mild anemia, because there is another gene still able to make alpha chains.
So... yeah. Very techinical, but you get the gist. There was a pretty interesting question-based article on the same site: Alpha Thalassemia. It goes into the terminology and helps to better understand it all, starting with plain ol' thalassemia. If you're interested, please go read. It's not very much, but it talks more about my (dun-dun-DUN) condition. (ha, gotta love the drama)
Also, I'm about half-way through a book I should've read years ago, but just got around to it: On Writing by Stephen King. It's about - surprise! - writing. This is a fantastic book. Why would I think differently? Very original, though. The guy is just... He's my favorite author.
Well, anyway, I'll write a review and put a few of my favorite snippets soon. Expect a post by the end of the weekend, or by Monday at the very latest.
Despite his aching ankle, my husband pulled off a lovely Valentine's Day for me - which, I might add, was unnecessary... I told him I wasn't expecting anything. Maybe a smile and a guarantee of a good mood.
Instead, when I came home, I first noticed that the lawn work was done - grass mowed, edges edged. When I went inside, it was to find him pulling dinner out of the oven. Say it with me, now: AWWW!
Yes, so, I'm almost to the point of passing out - still anemic, after all - and go
Don't you think all this deserves a kiss, a hello? I did, too.
So I went into the kitchen and kissed him and hugged him and generally made all kinds of wifely promises that you'll never hear me speak aloud to anyone else. And then I sat down at the table and poked around on his laptop while he did dinner-related things, and out of nowhere noticed a vase of a dozen red roses. (See left)
Aw, I love getting flowers. Makes me feel all girly and loved. Such a sweetie, my guy.
I buried my face in the blooms and took a huff worthy of the big bad wolf. Of course I made pleased noises and told him again how appreciated his efforts were.
We sat down in the living room to eat dinner while we watched the latest episode of "Breaking Bad" (click here if you've not heard of this brilliant show). When we were finished eating, he took the dishes into the kitchen and washed them. As if he needed to top it off, he came back bearing chocolate... Not just any chocolate, but my absolute FAVORITE - Lindt Truffles. And a Flake Bar.
I promise he enjoyed his Valentine's present... you just won't get details on that particular escapade. *insert devilishly sated grin here*
I love Valentine's Day.
