As I nodded nearly napping...

Well, yesterday I was too busy writing a scary story to notice that the grand old master himself celebrated his 200th birthday.  

Edgar Allen Poe was born on January 19th 1809.  

The first story I read by him was the Cask of Amontillado.  A wonderful story of petty revenge, wine and masonry.

When I a wee lad - probably around 9 or 10 -  I got a book called Tales of Mystery and Imagination.  Who gives a 9 or 10 year old such a book, I don't know, but I was fascinated by what I read.  Gloomy country estates and damp quarried rock and chill woods captured me.  The language seemed heavy to begin but as you settled into the stories it was just the right language to transport you to that strange world.  

Speaking of language - if you're looking for a sample of psychological suspense you can stop searching at The Tell-tale Heart.  Great story.

But for Poe at his best look to the POEms.  Annabel Lee and Lenore are two of my favourites but the granddaddy of them all is, of course, The Raven.

  And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain

Say it out loud.  Hear how it rolls off the tongue.  Magnificent.

Poe's influences are all around.  In high school I wrote an essay outlining specific instances of Poe's influences on the writings of H.P. Lovecraft.  The Allan Parsons Project's great album named after and based on that first Poe book given to me is a classic for my generation.  And where would the immortal Vincent Price have been without a whole host of low budget movies extremely loosely based upon Poe's works.  Even the Simpson's has paid homage to Mr Poe.

I have my own favourite volume of Poe's works - it is a complete collection of all stories and poems from 1938.  I picked it up at the annual Elora Festival Book Sale.  Please note the chewed corner.  It was like that when I bought it and was half the reason I picked it up.

So, it is with much appreciation that I wish you, Mr. Poe, a very happy 200th birthday wherever you may be (probably still in your coffin...buried alive). 

Brass Monkey Weather...Over?

As my father used to say, the last week or so has been real "brass monkey weather" but it looks as if the worst is over for now.  

After several days of missing her, the kids at my childrens' school were overjoyed that Willow accompanied us today.  Most of last week we drove to school - the windchill was just too much for a couple of young children (and to be honest, too much for the guy typing this post).  The dog seemed pretty happy to be the recepient of all that attention, too.

Root of Evil is coming along nicely.  I have written some of the most gruesome discriptive passages I've ever seen, but that's as it should be.  I have also learned a great deal about dentistry in general and learning new things is always a blast.  I hope to finish Root of Evil today or tomorrow.

Back at it...

The Big Chill

It is cold outside - the coldest it's been this year (granted, the year is only 14 days old).  The little gadget in the corner of my screen tells me it's -13 Celsius in Guelph but having just walked the dog I just know it's colder - windchill and all that, I'm sure.

I have fired off my application for the MFA program and now I wait to see how I'm spending my days come September.  Thanks to those who vouched for me.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Root of Evil is open on the other screen just waiting to be worked on but Patriot keeps catching my eye and I find myself reviewing select parts of it to scope out places for improvement.  I thought the original manuscript was pretty damn good but the perspective I've gained from letting it sit for a while has really shown me how much better it can be.  

I also need to pass along my secret, guilt pleasure.  I love Stephen King - not everything - he's written some real dogs, but I am always impressed by the storytelling, if not always the story.  He has written an excellent book, On Writing, which I recommend to anyone.  For Christmas I received his latest soft cover, Duma Key and I find it engaging.  Duma Key has been eating up my writing time but no more - I'll finish it tonight!

Must get back to work...

 

I'm going to get back to Root of Evil and see if I can put it to bed.