A World Apart

My icon is so sad... but it's the only King-related icon I have over here. It just so happens to be my favorite quote from Desperation, too. Anywho, I got this meme from a King community on LJ, but I didn't feel like answering it over there.

1. What is your all time favorite Stephen King work (full-length novel, novella, short story, whatever)?

My answer to this will probably always be The Dark Tower Series. It truly was inspired, and it's easy to see why it was his lengthiest work. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears obviously went into crafting that world and those characters, and I, for one, am appreciative.

2. What is your favorite SK novel?

The prize for best standalone novel goes to IT. Not only was it good enough to make me read that 1138 page monster, but I got so emotionally invested that I bawled like a baby at the end. Not to mention the nightmares I endured... Pennywise haunted my dreams several times during the process, and I actually put it down too many times to count. Wow, is it starting to confuse anyone as to why I chose this as my favorite? Seriously. Best book EVER.

3. Favorite short story/novella collection?

Skeleton Crew! It also has the best cover of all time, with the evil monkey holding the cymbals.

4. Favorite novella?

The Mist. I think most people answer this question with The Mist, because it was that damn good.

5. Favorite short story?

Gyah, it keeps changing. They're all good... As much as there were scarier and more entertaining stories, I'm gonna pick the one nobody ever chooses: "Nona". For some reason, that story struck a chord with me, and I freaking loved it.

6. Favorite audiobook?

I don't listen to audiobooks.

7. Favorite movie based on King's work?

First, you always have to be willing to accept a King movie with all its flaws. So I tend to like most of them, in spite of how other fans may feel. I'll say Secret Window. And not just for the Johnny Depp factor, but because I preferred the movie ending to the book ending! How unheard of! :p

8. Is there a recurring theme in his work that you particularly enjoy (such as: main characters from one novel appearing briefly in another, objects that prove to be portals into another dimension, references to the Dark Tower)?

The fact that his main characters tend to be writers. I like seeing these things happen from the perspective of someone creative. Maybe because it helps me relate more, or maybe because their point of view is so interesting. Either way, I'm one of those people who would never mock him over how often he pulls a writer out of his character bag. ;)

9. What was the first Stephen King book you ever read? Was that the one that got you hooked on his writing, or did you need more convincing?

Four Past Midnight, particularly "The Langoliers". I was thirteen, that terrible age where you don't want to play with toys, but you haven't decided yet what you're supposed to be into instead. I was playing Mortal Kombat 3 all the time, started watching X-Files, had a rising interest in horror flicks... So I guess my fate was already sealed. But it was Danielle who handed me the book and promised it would be like nothing I'd ever read before. She was right. And I've been reading his stuff ever since. You know what did it? The line that said something like (paraphrasing) she looked at him like he shit diamonds from a platinum asshole. I laughed until I cried, and there was no turning back. What a weird thing to make you want to read everything someone's ever written, but that's me.

10. Is there one of his works in particular that sticks with you no matter what (not necessarily a favorite, but one that you can't get out of your mind)?

Almost all of his works I've read deserve this award. Though in some cases, it's crappy decisions he made that I still wish could be rectified. Like how he killed off Thad Beaumont in Bag of Bones, like a goddamn afterthought. WTF, Stephen? He was one of my favorites! Ahem. Sorry.

11. Have you read any of the nonfiction works (Danse Macabre, On Writing, that one about baseball)? If so, what did you think of them?

I haven't read the baseball one, but... I don't like sports. Come on, we get enough of him jerking off over the Red Sox in every other book, don't we? ;) I tease. Seriously, I've read every, other nonfiction work he's written, and I loved them. But I like his voice, I like what he has to say, and I find myself agreeing a lot. I imagine it's not for everyone, but it certainly feels like it's for me.

12. If you were a character in one of his works, which book/story would you most like to be in?

Dark Tower! OMG, please!? Can I? Huh huh huh?

13. If you were a character in one of his works, how long would you last? If not until the end, in what gruesome manner would your character be killed?

All-World is a pretty fucked up place, so not long unless I hooked up with a gunslinger. Hook up with a gunslinger... oh sweet Lord, YES! WANT! As to how I'd die? There is no "good" way to die in those books. Could I get fucked to death by Eddie? Or maybe I fuck Eddie and Susannah shoots me! I would take my medicine and go out with a smile on my face.