In Stephen King's latest novel, "Lisey's Story", he writes about a certain pool. In fact the entire story is pretty much centered around this pool. It's often mentioned as the Pool of Life, the cup of imagination...more importantly, The Word Pool. Perhaps you folks have heard of it, perhaps not. For me, it isn't a pool, but a deep swift river with its even deeper, more bountiful, lazy spots along its winding path. It is in these "lazy spots" where the big ones live. I fish there often, and sometimes work up enough courage to go swimming in one or two of those deeper lazy spots down river.
Pool or river, both come down to about the same, we all know where this place is.
"It's the pool where we all go down to drink, to swim, to catch a little fish from the edge of shore; also the pool where some hardy souls (Faulkner is only one example) go out in their flimsy wooden boats after the big ones. "
For a writer, words are eternal, and Stewart Sternberg has touched on this subject more than once I think. Words are a writer's way of expression. Some words are beautiful and stunning, some are most definitely grim and nasty. But words are words and to write, one must know what words work, and what don't. Even if you are not a fiction writer, the Pool, or river, is still very much active. Speeches, lectures, the folks who can do these the best have been wading and dunking themselves in the Pool for quite sometime. So, yes, the Pool is where we all go down to drink. And drink we must, if we want to speak and write our best. It is there, all one has to do is close their eyes, and look.
If you haven't read "Lisey's Story", I strongly recommend it. It's a beautiful novel, with plenty of horrific events that will leave you in shuddering awe. I loved the book. And I believe in the Pool. Do you?
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9 comments:
hey, lucas. king can be very poignant at times, but if you aren't aware of the authors, check out the short fiction of charles beaumont and richard matheson...
I think I understand what you're saying about the pool, Lucas. It's only fitting that mine is a creek with water so cold that the only way you can get in is by diving. Your body couldn't handle the slow creeping in from the banks. It's the local watering hole where everyone meets after hauling hay or picking watermelons. The water can be especially murky after a hard rain and you never know what creatures may be swimming underneath with you.....
Thanks for the recommendation on the book.
Hi Wayne! No I haven't heard of the authors you mentioned, but I'll check into them. Thanks for stopping by, buddy!
Howdy Susan! You're very welcome about the book. It's really moving and just a great read. I like your take on your source for ideas and words, ect. A cold creek and on rainy days very cold and murky. I like it. Thanks for taking a gander!
The problem for me is that I now only know how to communicate through letters. When I try to talk, I stumble around my words a lot. I think I need to start making speeches.
Christina, I have a problem with talking sometimes too. I stumble quite a bit infact. But if I can get comfortable standing or even sitting with differnt people, I find my talking grow more confident and clear. I'm pretty shy most of the time, but as soon as I get to know someone, BAM!, I'm off to the races.
What are your thoughts about King? I take it you like him, but are there any of his works which rankled you, or any of his works which you thought were weak or strong for any particular reason? Me? I have always despised The Stand. I thought the ending was appalling.
Stewart, yes, it's true, I really like King's work. The imagery and the stories are so complex, yet so simple. By that I mean he can take a complicated story and make it simple to grasp. He also writes a lot about the lower middle class, which I am somewhere between the latter and middle class I think. (Sigh)
Yes. There are a couple of his works that I thought weren't quite up to par, but doesn't every writer have their stinkers? One is The Tommyknockers. This I got bored with even before the hundred page mark, not enough imagery for me. I read it all, but it was very slow going. Two is probably Rose Madder. That one just seemed to move too slow for me. Good idea, but it just didn't work for me. Other than that, I enjoy most all his work. As far as The Stand goes...well, the ending did sort of blow. I'm with you Stewart on that much, but I thought the rest of the novel was very good. Hope that answers your questions.
I read Lisey's Story a couple months back and I thought it was pretty good. I like the pool analogy. When King is good, he's very very good, as with "The Mist" or "Misery." When he's bad he's awful, as in "The Tommyknockers." I thought "The Stand" had a tremendous beginning, but it sagged badly in the middle and never recovered, in my opinion.
Hi Charles!
Yeah, I agree with you about King. When he's good he's the best (in my opinion). I am anxious to see what he'll come out with next.
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