Introduce Yourself- part 2 Showing 201-250 of 5,603

[Kristin]

Hello! I'm Kristin, avid reader. It's been a while since I've read a Stephen King book, but I do own a few. King has always been my favorite writer, and I'm looking forward to reading some more of his books - this group should motivate me to do so :-)

Happy reading!

[Nick]

Kristin wrote: "Hello! I'm Kristin, avid reader. It's been a while since I've read a Stephen King book, but I do own a few. King has always been my favorite writer, and I'm looking forward to reading some more of ..."

Hey Kristin, pick up one of the King books you own and start reading. Or tell us what King books you have always wanted to read and we'll help you pick a place to start.

[Leigh]

Hey there everyone! I just decided to join this group (for the obvious reason! ha!). My love of Stephen King - and possibly my love of writing! - started when I was *11* ? Please never hold me to that, as I think I was 11, though I may have been 12, and my dad let me buy a copy of 'It' at a used bookstore. I remember it being a topic of heated debate in my household later that day that I had been allowed to puchase that book, but wow, am I ever glad I did! I have read *nearly* all of King's books. I also have a tradition of re-reading my all time favourite, Pet Sematary, every year. I'm not %100 sure how many years it has been now, but I think 9. Anyone else have any favorites that they have read to death?
Also I would love to make more friends here on GR, so if anyone would like to add me, feel free! :)

[Nick]

Hi, Leigh - Welcome. Glad you're here. I'm a re-reader too, also a reader and then a listener to the audio versions. I've been through On Writing five or six times. There's a lot of King's own personal story in there, and it's great because King reads it himself. If you're a writer you have to read it... though my guess is you already have. Even his section on grammar is good. Who but King would call pronouns "slippery little bastards." I've also read Betty Grable and the Shawshank Redemption too many times to count, Under the Dome three times, The Stand and several others a couple of times.

[Sara]

Hi I'm Sara! I'm 23 and just started avidly reading Stephen King recently. There are few authors who's books I really enjoy reading. So far, I have read Pet Sematary and Carrie. The next book on my list is From a Buick 8. Please don't hesitate to add me as a friend or message me to talk!

[Leigh]

Hey there Nick
You guessed right, I have read On Writing quite a few times. I'm a little surprised to see you say that you have read Under the Dome 3 times, only because I am currently reading it now and it's not really my favorite SK book I've ever read. I'm not sure I would re-read it! but I'm only on page 600-something now, so that could change I guess!

[Nick]

Leigh: I liked it a lot. Not sure it's going to get any better if you don't like it now. Also, I have to confess I patterned a character in one of my sci fi novels after Big Jim. Everyone who read the early drafts of that book didn't like they guy. So, I redid him and modeled the new version on Jack Lemon in The Apartment. That worked much much better... from fat nasty sob to nervous, comical sob. That book is in a bottom drawer waiting for new inspiration. It needs yet another reworking. Someday maybe. Too bad. A lot of it is good. I'll check out one of your books next time I come up for air. (That'll be in a couple of months, I'm afraid.)

[Lanie]

Hi Sara! Welcome! It's always fun to see new people enjoying King for the first time. My husband and I (we both grew up on opposite ends of the US) began reading King at a young age. I was 9, and he was in elementary school as well. It was nice always having. A new King book to read through my adolescence, teen years and into adulthood. We own every single hardcover he's written - some limited ones as well. It will take you a long time to get through all the books. If you can, read the, in published order. He was really in his prime in the 1980's (It, Misery, Christine, Cujo, Firestarter, etc) although my faves from the 70s are The Dead Zone, Carrie and 'Salem's Lot. Carrie was my first book, too. My husband & I were lucky enough to attend the reading of Doctor Sleep in Cambridge, MA. Happy reading!!

[Sara]

Thanks for the welcome! My dad has almost every Stephen King book and I plan on reading all of them. I started with Pet Sematary because I saw the movie first and I wasn't sure if I was going to like King's writing style so I thought it was a good first choice. Then I read Carrie and watched the movie (the old one). Next is going to be either From a Buick 8 or It. So yea, I'm trying to read the older books first, since I hear the older ones are better.

[Daniel]

Hi Sara. I wouldn't say the older ones are better but they are truer to his horror genre. His newer writing is still good but just a different tone and style. I actually just read the Shining with plans of reading Dr. Sleep to see how his writing differs with similar topic.

[Sara]

Hi Daniel. I did buy Under the Dome recently and am planning to buy Dr. Sleep soon. Everyone has said to read the older books first so that is what I'm going to do even though I really want to read Under the Dome. I'm sure his newer books are great as well!

[Nick]

What I find amazing is that the quality of all King's books is really constant. the stories are equally great, the language and images are amazing (humbling maybe) all the way through. This is a guy who has been writing for how long? According to him 50 or 60 years, and he hasn't lost anything at all. Yes, his tone has changed, maybe his focus, a little but I think even his philosophy has been pretty constant. Incredible!

[H]

So Elegant & Eloquently stated Nick! Marvelous description, no wonder ur a wonderful writer, I never could hav expressed my own opinion of King which is the same as your's, even close to what you just wrote, u captured my feeling's about him precisely=+=

[Lanie]

Hi,
I'd like to embellish on what Nick said. I agree with everything, and King was the very first author I got really attached to at a very young age.

You don't realize how good a good writer is until you've read bad or mediocre writing. As a storyteller, Kimg is the best. Nothing means more to him than telling us, Constant Readers, the tale. Good writing is a combination of things. First of all, having a good story. Second, skill at writing - putting the words together so it can be easily understood by anyone who reads it. Giving just enough description as to paint your setting, your characters, what they are doing here and why they're in the story, and what drives them. Equally as important is dialogue. I've read some writers who write beautiful prose but then fail at dialogue. It makes characters seem flat and lifeless. It takes. E out of the story, and I lose faith in the writer. Dialogue is there to enhance a character, show us his/her speech patterns and how they interact with others. King is good at all these things, He explores relationships very well. I care about his characters. I want them to be okay and come out stronger because of their experience. I want the bad guys to fry. He sets it up that way so we are clear who is the hero, and who is the villain. Some writers are plot driven, but I believe King's stories are vey character driven. Would I have kept reading It if I didn't care what happened to the kids in the Barrens? And Paul Sheldon - I wanted him to get away from Annie, but at the same time I thought, 'what has happened in this woman's life that has made her this way?' So I want to know about the bad ones too. Good writers do that - they get you to care, ask questions, and hopefully you'll get your answers as you experience the story.

King is a master at all of these things. He writes beautiful prose, which no one seems to ever talk about. I've wanted to live in New England my whole life because of the landscape of his stories. It's what keeps us reading. We trust him as a writer. Because, let's face it, even mediocre King is better than a lot of the hacks out there writing stories. I could take any passage from any King novel, read it to a non-King fan, or someone who doesn't want to read his books because they think his books are too scary, and they would be moved by the prose. And shocked to learn that these words came from Stephen King. There's a reason he's been a constant best selling author since the 1970's. Some books are exceptional, and some are okay, but in every single one, he tells the story, his prose is beautiful and his dialogue is dead on. No one can touch his track record. No one.

[Nick]

H wrote: "So Elegant & Eloquently stated Nick! Marvelous description, no wonder ur a wonderful writer, I never could hav expressed my own opinion of King which is the same as your's, even close to what you j..."

Thanks Holly. King is pretty much the inspiration for my writing. The guy is an amazing storyteller first. Then a great writer. And there are times when (in his descriptions) he's even an exceptional poet.

[Nick]

Lanie wrote: "Hi,
I'd like to embellish on what Nick said. I agree with everything, and King was the very first author I got really attached to at a very young age.

You don't realize how good a good writer is ..."

That's it, Lanie. Very well said. So you wonder why he hasn't received more recognition for the quality of his writing. No National Book Award, that really seems to bother him.

[Lanie]

I don't blame him! His books have been a part of my life ever since elementary school. In so many ways, I feel like he has taught me to write just by reading his books. His use of the English language is beautiful. I think it's what all writers aspire to do.

[Ava]

My name is Ava, I'm a psychologist and a devoted King fan (since my very first horror novel, It, 15 years ago). My first language is German, so please try to ignore my unavoidable mistakes.

My favorite novels are the Dark Tower books. Awesome work!

[Sara]

Hi Ava! I have my B.A. in psychology! I also speak German!

[Ava]

Hi Sara, very glad to meet you :)! I have a Mag.rer.nat. degree, which is equivalent to the MSc :)
Ich bin immer für ein Gespräch auf Deutsch zu haben :)

[Sara]

Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch jetzt, weil ich es nicht in eine Weile gesprochen haben. Ich kenne niemanden, der Deutsch spricht. Ich mag Deutsch sprechen aber!

[Ava]

Ich freue mich immer über Gespräche, vor allem über Literatur!

[Sara]

Ich lese gern, vor allem Stephen King. Ich mag auch, Gedichte zu schreiben.

[Lanie]

Hi Ladies,
Those of us who don't speak German have no idea what you're talking about. Can we please keep the conversation in English so all people on the forum may be included?

Thank You in advance for your consideration.

[Ava]

Excuse me for the interruption, we have already started to write private messages right after Sara's last comment ;) Won't happen again!

[Sara]

Well, people in America speak all different languages, not just English. If you want to know what we were saying, Google Translate will be very useful! Deeply sorry that I/we offended you.

[Scott]

me-ow Lanie

[Lanie]

I was uncomfortable with even saying anything, however this is a public forum. I'm not disputing other people don't speak other languages. I'm not offended or trying to start anything, but when two people have a conversation in another language, it just appears to be private. One response I don't mind but there were like three or four posts and by hitting "translate" that would be like peeking in on your private conversation. I just wanted I remind you it would be nice if we could all understand what was being said so we can all feel free contribute to the conversation since this is in a "introduce yourself" thread.

[Benjamin]

Hi, I'm new to the group. I currently have an unhealthy addiction to Stephen King books. Just finished Doctor Sleep...I thought it was great!

[Pierre-alexandre]

Hi! My name is Pierre-Alexandre Bonin and I have a Ph. D. in litterature. My thesis was on « The Dark Tower », so I'll let you guess my favorite author! ;)

I'm a dedicated SK fan (a true Constant Reader, if you prefer!) and I finally decided to join Goodreads after two years of using it in my librarian job.

[Shell]

Welcome to all the new people! :D

Pierre-Alexandre, what an awesome thing to do your thesis on! That is fantastic!

[Benjamin]

I agree. A thesis on the Dark Tower is definitely a thesis worth reading. That's my favorite story/series by far!

[Pierre-alexandre]

Thanks to you, Michelle and Benjamin! It was a real blast and I intend to become an academic reference (at least in Québec!) for King studies! :D

[Nick]

Pierre-alexandre wrote: "Hi! My name is Pierre-Alexandre Bonin and I have a Ph. D. in litterature. My thesis was on « The Dark Tower », so I'll let you guess my favorite author! ;)

I'm a dedicated SK fan (a true Constant ..."

So what was the thesis of your thesis? Just askin'.

[Johnny]

Hi! my names Johnny and I'm addicted to Stephen King's books. My goal is to read all of his books.

[Sara]

Hi Johnny! That is my goal too!!

[Johnny]

Sara wrote: "Hi Johnny! That is my goal too!!"
That's awesome! So far I've only read The Stand, It, The Shining and Doctor Sleep. I have a loooong way to go. haha

[Sara]

Lol yea but you're farther than me! I've only read Carrie and Pet Sematary so far.

[Shell]

You guys aren't alone, that's my goal too and I'm not much further ahead of you two, I've still got a loooooooong way to go too :)

[Sebastien]

@Pierre Alexandre,

I guess I could write in French...(:))
Welcome ! Where can I find you thesis ? What was the orignal subject you got to study ? In which university ? Thanks a lot !

[Pierre-alexandre]

@Nick : I wanted to create and then study the concept of « Constant Reader » (I know CR is already present in King's forewords and author's notes) as a « real » reader of King in relation with the use of metafiction in « The Dark Tower ». I admit this is a rather crude summary but it's about the bulk of it! ;)

@Sebastien : We could do that in private messages! ;)As for where to find said thesis, it's not yet in the UQAM's library catalogue, but as soon as it is numerized, I'll let you know! As for your second question, I'm sorry, I don't understand it! But let's continue this discussion via private messages, lest we cluster this feed! ;)

[Alexandra]

Hey, I have been a fan for years. Horror has been a passion of mine I just finished Bag of Bones, which was incredible reminding me of John Saul's Nathaniel or The House of Reckoning.

[Shell]

Welcome Alexandra! I have Bag of Bones but haven't got around to reading it yet. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[Michelle]

Hi, I began my love affair with reading at the age of 15 when I finally found an author that could hold my interest for more than a few minutes at a time. The masterpiece that caught me was "The Dark Half" and I've been a fan ever since. I have branched off to a few other authors and try to mix it up some, but King is still my favorite. I don't have as much time to read anymore but I still end my day with an hour or two curled up with a good book and sometimes have to leave the light on when I go to sleep. I'm really looking forward to seeing what this group has to offer.

[Alfred]

Hi Michelle. Welcome and many more hours reading Mr King.

[Pamela]

Denise wrote: "Hi, I'm Denise. I've been hooked on Stephen King (and as Richard Bachman) since I bought Carrie when it came out in paperback - yes, I'm that old. I have since read each book as it was released. ..."

Hello, Denise...I'm Pamela...I read Carrie in 1976- I was 12! (my parents weren't thrilled, but they
allowed me to indulge.) I am just starting Doctor Sleep.

[Doreen]

Hi, my name is Doreen and I live in Boston, MA. I just finished reading by Stephen King and thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm really not one to enjoy horror books much but there's something about Stephen King's writing style that draws me in. He is tremendously talented and gifted! Looking forward to reading next!

[Carol]

Hello everyone,

My name is Carol Rzadkiewicz, and I reside in southern Louisiana, aka "The Heart of Cajun Country." I am an educator and writer. I am also an avid reader and have been since I was a child. Stephen King is one of my favorite contemporary novelists and for many reasons, not the least of which are his mastery of language and his ability to tell a good story.

[Doreen]

Thank you Katie. As you know the tv adaptations are oftentimes vastly different from the actual books. This was the case with Under The Dome as I enjoyed the book far more than what was on tv. And with Stephen King being a local New Englander there's a good chance I could run into him at either Fenway Park or when I'm visiting relatives in Maine. lol

[[deleted user]]

Doreen wrote: "Thank you Katie. As you know the tv adaptations are oftentimes vastly different from the actual books. This was the case with Under The Dome as I enjoyed the book far more than what was on tv. And ..."

Welcome Doreen. I'm from neighboring Maine and love to see New Englanders on here. Maybe you will see King at Fenway this week, since the world series will be moving back to Boston. I loved Under the Dome, also. It's actually my favorite book ever. The disappointing thing for me regarding the tv show was that it didn't appear to be a small Maine town, it was like some generic town. I will be reading The Stand but it will have to be after Christmas because the kids bought it for me as a gift. It will be a good book to curl up with on those long, cold winter days.