Phillip Meyer's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"
SIGNS YOU ARE TOO EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO A STORY.
Fiction is not fake. I know that sounds cheesy, but it is very true if you think about it. All fiction, no matter how far-fetched, is someone's reality. Authors and readers alike can form bonds with the characters in stories, and that is a good thing. Even purely fictional people, places, and things can remind us of real-life experiences or highly inspire us. However, it can be easy to get too attached to your books and or characters. And I think it happens to us way more than we would like to admit. The deeper we delve in and put more of ourselves into the books we write or read, the easier it is to start living vicariously through characters. After a while, we can treat the fictional people in our books as actual human beings without even noticing it. The biggest problem with that is now instead of having complete control over the story we are writing, our feelings about particular characters can get in the way of a better all-around book. Thoughts like, "I know this would make more sense, but that character is doing this because I like it," or "He was supposed to die in the original outline, but he is just too cool to die." are common thoughts all writers get, and not always without merit. Sometimes we can make changes to a plot or decide not to kill off a character we like. But this should only be because it makes the whole story better, and not just for emotional attachment. Now that it is clear to see the typical pitfalls of the average author which are in and of themselves easy to fix, we will look a little deeper into a far more problematic issue. While it is expected that most authors and readers, particularly ones with stronger emotions will become attached to characters, there is a far deeper, and more dysfunctional path that some literary lovers fall into. That is to develop a heavy relationship with the characters.
A perfect example of this is found in the 2008 comedy film Nim's Island, based on a children's book of the same name. In the story, a young girl who is separated from her father, calls out for help from a character who she mistakenly believes to be the author and real-life hero of her favorite books, none other than the fearless explorer, adventurer, Alex Rover. However, unbeknownst to her, Alex Rover is really Alexandra Rover, an agoraphobic, germophobe woman who is too terrified to even leave her house. It turns out that Alex Rover is Alexandra Rover's ultra-ego, crush, who she imagines constantly interacting and talking with her. Although the film itself was not a particular favorite of mine, and I have not read the book to date, I thought that this was excellent satire. Although she does not even realize it, Alexandra Rover has lost touch with the world, she is completely separated from reality, too absorbed in her books, and more specifically Alex Rover.
Although I certainly hope that everyone reading this article is not that far gone, (if you are, you should seek phycological help!) if you find yourself developing a crush, any kind of deep relationship, or extreme fascination with any fictional characters it's time to step back into reality and take a break, even just for a little while. I have had to do that many times, once for several months, after I realized that I was thinking about my books and characters way too much. When I finally got back at it, I found myself in complete control of what I was writing. Overall, I was less stressed out and writing was far more fun and relaxing. Now, I consider myself a far better author, as I am careful not to ever let my job as writing not become an obsession.
A perfect example of this is found in the 2008 comedy film Nim's Island, based on a children's book of the same name. In the story, a young girl who is separated from her father, calls out for help from a character who she mistakenly believes to be the author and real-life hero of her favorite books, none other than the fearless explorer, adventurer, Alex Rover. However, unbeknownst to her, Alex Rover is really Alexandra Rover, an agoraphobic, germophobe woman who is too terrified to even leave her house. It turns out that Alex Rover is Alexandra Rover's ultra-ego, crush, who she imagines constantly interacting and talking with her. Although the film itself was not a particular favorite of mine, and I have not read the book to date, I thought that this was excellent satire. Although she does not even realize it, Alexandra Rover has lost touch with the world, she is completely separated from reality, too absorbed in her books, and more specifically Alex Rover.
Although I certainly hope that everyone reading this article is not that far gone, (if you are, you should seek phycological help!) if you find yourself developing a crush, any kind of deep relationship, or extreme fascination with any fictional characters it's time to step back into reality and take a break, even just for a little while. I have had to do that many times, once for several months, after I realized that I was thinking about my books and characters way too much. When I finally got back at it, I found myself in complete control of what I was writing. Overall, I was less stressed out and writing was far more fun and relaxing. Now, I consider myself a far better author, as I am careful not to ever let my job as writing not become an obsession.
THE DECLINE OF READING BOOKS AMONG MEN
It is a fact that in the Twenty-first Century men do not read that much. While it is true that men are more action-oriented, and less emotional than women, making them less interested in books, particularly fictional stories, it seems strange that in the last fifty years or so, the demographic has widened. I don't think it is necessarily because more women are reading either. It is because fewer men are finding books that they can relate to.
Traditional books and films in American culture represent strong men as active leaders, brave adventures, and conquering heroes. Villains are portrayed as cowards, and oppressors, who seek to serve themselves above all else. Sure, good guys can act like jerks sometimes and the villain might have some good qualities, but in the end, it is black and white. When you compare most contemporary men in film to classic male characters portrayed by the likes of John Wayne, Mel Gibson, or Charlton Heston, you can see an intangible difference. It's not about the acting, as some might think. Acting in films today is probably better now because the technology of camera equipment has evolved allowing producers to only shoot little bits of film at a time making it easier to remember lines. Here is the difference, in these traditional movies, men were meant to be solid, and noble, unlike the modern stereotype that portrays men as weak, stupid, or playing sidekicks to a smarter stronger woman. It is true that some of the greatest films ever produced are modern films made in the last twenty years. I can think of absolutely awesome masculine stories, that were released while I was growing up. However, in the last few years, this has become a relative rarity. In this culture, men are encouraged to show weakness and hide their power. Girls are brought up in a country that more and more demonizes men telling them that powerful white men are the cause of all the problems in the world. Boys are told by many progressives that they should show emotions, by crying frequently, not being rough, and acting like girls. Trying not to conquer is the new normal and if you object to this, you are dangerous to yourself and others. Even the past historical heroes of history are now being canceled as "bigots, "white supremacists," or "misogynistic." The objectivity of most modern historical novels, therefore, is subject to the author's own subjective opinions.
Looking at what has happened it is no wonder that men do not what read. They have been brainwashed by the culture into believing that masculinity is evil. Movies, TV shows, and books promote this ideology heavily. A few years ago, after coming home late from work, I watched Rambo 3 on TV, absolutely loving it, even cheering a bit in some exciting parts of the film. The next night I again turned on the TV to see The Hunger Games was on. I just remember after watching for a minute or so turning it off and saying to myself," It's no Rambo." Not trying to dog The Hunger Games at all, or say it is a bad story, but I think you get the point. Most stories in the twenty-first century are not made for virtuous men. They are made for a politically correct society. If you need proof just look at the new Star Wars films compared to the Originals or even the highly controversial Prequel Trilogy. I think men would read more books if they were objective and made for them instead of asking them to change who they are.
Traditional books and films in American culture represent strong men as active leaders, brave adventures, and conquering heroes. Villains are portrayed as cowards, and oppressors, who seek to serve themselves above all else. Sure, good guys can act like jerks sometimes and the villain might have some good qualities, but in the end, it is black and white. When you compare most contemporary men in film to classic male characters portrayed by the likes of John Wayne, Mel Gibson, or Charlton Heston, you can see an intangible difference. It's not about the acting, as some might think. Acting in films today is probably better now because the technology of camera equipment has evolved allowing producers to only shoot little bits of film at a time making it easier to remember lines. Here is the difference, in these traditional movies, men were meant to be solid, and noble, unlike the modern stereotype that portrays men as weak, stupid, or playing sidekicks to a smarter stronger woman. It is true that some of the greatest films ever produced are modern films made in the last twenty years. I can think of absolutely awesome masculine stories, that were released while I was growing up. However, in the last few years, this has become a relative rarity. In this culture, men are encouraged to show weakness and hide their power. Girls are brought up in a country that more and more demonizes men telling them that powerful white men are the cause of all the problems in the world. Boys are told by many progressives that they should show emotions, by crying frequently, not being rough, and acting like girls. Trying not to conquer is the new normal and if you object to this, you are dangerous to yourself and others. Even the past historical heroes of history are now being canceled as "bigots, "white supremacists," or "misogynistic." The objectivity of most modern historical novels, therefore, is subject to the author's own subjective opinions.
Looking at what has happened it is no wonder that men do not what read. They have been brainwashed by the culture into believing that masculinity is evil. Movies, TV shows, and books promote this ideology heavily. A few years ago, after coming home late from work, I watched Rambo 3 on TV, absolutely loving it, even cheering a bit in some exciting parts of the film. The next night I again turned on the TV to see The Hunger Games was on. I just remember after watching for a minute or so turning it off and saying to myself," It's no Rambo." Not trying to dog The Hunger Games at all, or say it is a bad story, but I think you get the point. Most stories in the twenty-first century are not made for virtuous men. They are made for a politically correct society. If you need proof just look at the new Star Wars films compared to the Originals or even the highly controversial Prequel Trilogy. I think men would read more books if they were objective and made for them instead of asking them to change who they are.
