DUEL with the DEVIL
Viewing comments for Chapter 47 "DUEL with the DEVIL - Chapter 47"The problem of creating a non-addictive painkiller
16 total reviews
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
And there I was, before reading your notes, about to ask you to forward me some of that panacea drug, damn it!
What a clever, inventive, original and infinitely readable book this has been. The research has clearly been a labour of love and it's paid off to give this story with its very current theme of drug addiction a true edge of credibility and purpose. It's included all the elements of tragedy, comedy, romance/love, family relationships, science (its long overdue research into combating the woes/expense of addiction) and so much more. This concluding chapter is one of your best yet and ties up remaining ends of the book whilst keeping it open-ended with expectations, including child-birth, for the future.
This is the tiniest quibble but only because I tend to overuse the word, 'would' sometimes unnecessary: "..when I would travel to foreign countries" - perhaps better and more fluent - "when I travelled to foreign countries."
Well done, Jim! I look forward to the sequel. Debbie
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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And there I was, before reading your notes, about to ask you to forward me some of that panacea drug, damn it!
What a clever, inventive, original and infinitely readable book this has been. The research has clearly been a labour of love and it's paid off to give this story with its very current theme of drug addiction a true edge of credibility and purpose. It's included all the elements of tragedy, comedy, romance/love, family relationships, science (its long overdue research into combating the woes/expense of addiction) and so much more. This concluding chapter is one of your best yet and ties up remaining ends of the book whilst keeping it open-ended with expectations, including child-birth, for the future.
This is the tiniest quibble but only because I tend to overuse the word, 'would' sometimes unnecessary: "..when I would travel to foreign countries" - perhaps better and more fluent - "when I travelled to foreign countries."
Well done, Jim! I look forward to the sequel. Debbie
Comment Written 13-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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I sure wish I had some of that too!
Thank you so much, Debbie, for your wonderful, thoughtful, and thoroughly analytical reviews over the course of this book. You really seemed to get what was in my mind, and it's very gratifying when someone sees things the way I intend them.
You probably use "would" correctly more often than you think. It is often used to indicate a habitual action or something that was done repeatedly in the past, which is what I intended here with Julia's remark.
Thanks very much for your 6 stars too! I'm very honored.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
The road once taken... has come to an end my friend so now what will you do with your time. Help those in need in Western North Carolina. What a mess that has been, and those poor hillbillies may never be the same.
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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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The road once taken... has come to an end my friend so now what will you do with your time. Help those in need in Western North Carolina. What a mess that has been, and those poor hillbillies may never be the same.
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Comment Written 13-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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As that renowned philosopher, Yogi Berra, once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Maybe that's why I have so many more forks in my silverware drawer than knives or spoons. You never come to many of those for some reason.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very nice story with likable characters. You had us rooting for the characters, as well as Brian's scientific success. Good work.
Good job finding a photo of a beautiful, pregnant violinist!
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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Very nice story with likable characters. You had us rooting for the characters, as well as Brian's scientific success. Good work.
Good job finding a photo of a beautiful, pregnant violinist!
Best wishes.
Comment Written 13-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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Thanks so much, Wayne, for your kind words and 6 stars.
Most of the photos I've used were simply Googled, but for some of the last few, I used an AI program called Flux-pro in which you tell it what you want, and it comes up with a picture. I think I put in "attractive 31-year-old pregnant fiddler wearing a denim jumper" and this is what it came up with. The face of the woman didn't resemble my earlier pictures of Julia at all, so I sent this picture and my original picture of Julia at age 16 into a face merging program which combined the two faces together. This one is more like Julia's earlier face at age 16. It's amazing what you can do with technology these days.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
We all know what the FDA is, but the first time you use it here, you should spell it out.
$30 million. My first thought was that it's a sinful amount of money for anyone to have because of a drug, but then I thought about how I would love to have a drug that left me at a level 1 for pain all the time. And, in this fictional story, what Brian went through in order to get to the other side of the testing. He earned it, and could perhaps use those earnings to do more good.
The scene at the airport is right out of a romantic movie - something with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, perhaps:-)
Great last line before the epilogue, Jim. Made me tear up.
Why would they call Fran Agent Fuckup if she's so highly respected? That seems a little out of place, despite your explanation. Or is it meant to be just the one agent calling her that? I feel that she deserves better treatment, even in a man's world.
Jim, this has been an outstanding read. I've enjoyed the ride, and I wish I could give you two sixes for this. Great storytelling, and great attention to detail, especially where the science is concerned. I know it's fictional, as you point out, but you had me fooled!
This is my favorite novel, so far. Thanks for all of your hard work in bringing this to us.
Now, go take a vacation!
In that image you used, is the bow stuck to the strings of the violin? She's not holding it up.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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We all know what the FDA is, but the first time you use it here, you should spell it out.
$30 million. My first thought was that it's a sinful amount of money for anyone to have because of a drug, but then I thought about how I would love to have a drug that left me at a level 1 for pain all the time. And, in this fictional story, what Brian went through in order to get to the other side of the testing. He earned it, and could perhaps use those earnings to do more good.
The scene at the airport is right out of a romantic movie - something with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, perhaps:-)
Great last line before the epilogue, Jim. Made me tear up.
Why would they call Fran Agent Fuckup if she's so highly respected? That seems a little out of place, despite your explanation. Or is it meant to be just the one agent calling her that? I feel that she deserves better treatment, even in a man's world.
Jim, this has been an outstanding read. I've enjoyed the ride, and I wish I could give you two sixes for this. Great storytelling, and great attention to detail, especially where the science is concerned. I know it's fictional, as you point out, but you had me fooled!
This is my favorite novel, so far. Thanks for all of your hard work in bringing this to us.
Now, go take a vacation!
In that image you used, is the bow stuck to the strings of the violin? She's not holding it up.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 13-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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I wondered about that picture too. I figured there must be such a thing as a bow holder that can clip on to your clothes, so I looked it up, and sure enough they are commonly used by people who play fiddle as well as other instruments, such as a keyboard, so they can switch quickly between them. So I guess the bow is resting on the strings, but the base is in a clip.
We'll get the whole story behind "agent Fuckup" in the sequel.
I had to do some research about what a drug inventor could expect for a new and potentially highly successful drug, and drug companies will actually pay that amount and even much higher for drugs with the kind of promise that Brian's has. Maybe with that amount of money, he'll work on a cure for Alzheimer's or cancer.
Thank you so much, Pam, for your wonderful support and helpfulness throughout the telling of this story. Your reviews have meant a lot to me, and I'm delighted you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing and sharing it. Next to Saving Mr. Calvin, which I don't think you read, this has been my favorite one so far, and I really enjoyed doing all the research it took to make it authentic-sounding.
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I did read Calvin, just not much of a golf enthusiast.
Comment from Wendy G
But Brian's drug doesn't produce euphoria, just pain relief, isn't that right? So is Francine planning to use the previous version? But that WAS addictive, and there were problems with coming off it. I am so sorry, but I don't understand exactly what she has in mind - probably just me! I loved everything about your novel until the epilogue, and now I am a bit confused. Please help!
I am still giving six stars, because apart from that final bit, I found your whole novel to be engrossing and it showed excellence in writing throughout.
Wendy
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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But Brian's drug doesn't produce euphoria, just pain relief, isn't that right? So is Francine planning to use the previous version? But that WAS addictive, and there were problems with coming off it. I am so sorry, but I don't understand exactly what she has in mind - probably just me! I loved everything about your novel until the epilogue, and now I am a bit confused. Please help!
I am still giving six stars, because apart from that final bit, I found your whole novel to be engrossing and it showed excellence in writing throughout.
Wendy
Comment Written 13-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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Your guess is correct; it is his original drug, Dipraxa, that Fran is suggesting in the epilogue. We don't really know that the depression Brian felt when coming off it was due to a withdrawal from Dipraxa. More likely it was from his failure to stop euphoria with that increased dose and the resumption of his pain.
So, you figured it out after all, and hopefully will be enticed to see what happens in the sequel. Incidentally, I've gone back and revised the final line to avoid this confusion.
I want to thank you so much, Wendy for your exceptional reviews and your great support during the course of this long story. It's been a blast for me to share it here on FanStory with readers like you. I really appreciate presenting the story and getting to discuss it with readers further through the review and response process.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
If only your fabulous story was true Jim and a drug was created to absolve pain without any side effects or long term drug addiction. I have enjoyed your story and it has ended with a high as the Brian's invention was a success and Julia wants to settle down to have a family. And your final note with another use of this drug. All in all this has been a delightful read, perhaps you can write some poetry now Jim? Love Dolly x x x
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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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If only your fabulous story was true Jim and a drug was created to absolve pain without any side effects or long term drug addiction. I have enjoyed your story and it has ended with a high as the Brian's invention was a success and Julia wants to settle down to have a family. And your final note with another use of this drug. All in all this has been a delightful read, perhaps you can write some poetry now Jim? Love Dolly x x x
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Comment Written 13-Oct-2024
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2024
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Thanks so much, Dolly. You're right; I've been a little remiss with the poetry lately. I'll have to take a break and think about that again.
I greatly appreciate your support throughout the telling of this story.