Annie Wilkes was a former nurse living at an isolated farmhouse in Colorado. She rescued her favorite author, Paul Sheldon from a car wreck. Realizing Sheldon had 'killed' her favorite literary character, Misery Chastain, in a recent novel and his yet-to-be-published novel would lead his career in a new direction. She destroyed his new manuscript, held him captive, and demanded he resurrect Misery in a new book, written just for her.She uses her medical skills to control Sheldon, if not her temper which, on one occasion, led her to 'hobble' Sheldon. He finally managed to escape, killing her in the process.Wilkes is one of Stephen King's most recognizable characters.