Monday, April 1, 2013

King's Speech: A is for ASYLUMS

Regular readers of The Shellshank Redemption know how much I enjoy a good quote (see Motivational Mondays) and that I’m a huge fan of Stephen King (see the King of All Days Part I and Part II.) So, for the 2013 A-Z Challenge, I decided to combine the two, using some of my favorite King quotes about reading, writing and life in general. Enjoy!

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I think we’re all mentally ill. 
Those of us outside the ASYLUMS only hide it a little better – 
and maybe not all that much better after all.
(Stephen King)

My current manuscript is a horror novel. A few months back, I submitted the beginning of it for a critique session at a writing conference. When I met with the literary agent to go over the pages, he studied me a moment then said, “You look so normal.”

Ah, if only he knew…

*****

* On this first day of the A-Z Challenge, a special thank you goes out to Arlee Bird for starting it all! *

30 comments:

  1. There's nothing normal about you, Madeline, and I mean that in the most extraordinary way! I am a huge fan of Stephen King, too. Such a wise and talented man. Best of luck with that horror novel and happy A to Z!

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  2. Cathy - ah, you flatter me! :) Happy A-Z back at you!

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  3. You look so normal - funny! Did he want you to look creepy?

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  4. "You look so normal" That cracked me up. Great post.

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  5. Love Stephen King and will look forward to following your quotes this month.

    Good luck with the Challenge and with your manuscript!

    Best,
    Barbara

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  6. LOL! What a great quote. Never read that one.

    Best of luck with your horror story!!

    Terri @ Scribler's Sojourn

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  7. Alex - I don't know, maybe mroe Goth or something?

    Cindy - glad you got a kick out of it. Thanks for Following us here at TSR!

    Barbara - I'm glad you'll be stopping by again! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

    Terri - isn't a great quote?! Thanks for Following! :)

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  8. Are horror novelists not supposed to look normal? :)

    My fav King novel is still Salem's Lot, I keep going back to it to read it over and over.

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  9. I'm a psychiatric nurse, and I must say, I agree with that quote wholeheartedly.

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  10. So funny about the literary agent... :) but that got me thinking... most writers probably do "look normal" on the outside. It's our imaginations, that undefinable, intangible quality that makes us who we truly are: creators of worlds.

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  11. Natasha - SALEM'S LOT is soooo creepy! And thanks for Following us here at TSR! :)

    Melanie - ha! :)

    Jenelle - it would be funny - or scary! - if our appearances matched our imaginations. Yikes!

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  12. Oh what a perfect idea for a theme!! Love it and this post. And I have to laugh about the agent, too funny.

    I had to laugh too as when I first read your title I thought of the movie The King's Speech, and was totally confused about what asylums had to do with it.

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  13. HA! You look so normal... famous last words... I love horror. I'm not brave enough to write it--I can do murder mysteries, kidnapping, abuse... but adding any paranormal or psychopathic angle freaks me out to much to write.

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  14. Julie - I was trying to be clever with the title. Not sure it worked, but I have 25 more posts with titles just like it, so... :)

    Hart - there are so many different kinds of "horror" and layers and levels within that.

    OE - glad you enjoyed it!

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  15. If I would've been quick enough, my answer to that agent would've been... well looks can be deceiving. :)

    I'd love to get into horror sometime, but haven't tried it yet. I guess no ideas have hit me, but maybe someday.

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  16. Suzi - it was one of those situations where I would've thought of a great response...three hours later. :)

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  17. We're all mad on different scales. Especially writers. :)

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  18. << ...I have 25 more posts with titles just like it, so... :) >>

    Love it! Now I'll look forward even more to coming back for future posts.

    I agree about the three-hours-later response, too. Always the way. Sigh.

    Barbara

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  19. Clever and funny--a winning combination.

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  20. Nick - oh, absolutely! :)

    Barbara - I'm glad you'll be returning.

    Donna - hmm, "clever and funny" - did you mean me or Mr. King? :)

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  21. yay for quotes!
    and the kings speech is a fave
    plus stephen king!

    tho horror scares me =}

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  22. Excellent post. I love Stephen King. I can't wait to read more.
    Connie
    I'm visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge
    Peanut Butter and Whine

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  23. Tara - horror is supposed to scare you! :)

    Shannon - good! Thanks for Following!

    Connie - I hope you'll enjoy the rest!

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  24. That is a great idea for a theme! I read King's On Writing, which was great, but I'm really not a horror fan. I did really enjoy the Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (I think that's what it was called). Love reading good quotes, so I'll be checking back!

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  25. We're all normal until we get to know each other! ;)

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  26. Hahahahaha! Love that. And yes, you have this delightful, warm way about you. But I've read your stuff--and sometimes, I worry about you. :-)

    And yes, I read every post. I had to--they were so darn good (and brilliant way to blog A through Z, I might add.)

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  27. Cathy C - you are very sweet and I thank you. Please don't worry about me. At least, not too much. :)

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