On the importance of Stardom
I think that at one point in their life just about everyone thinks of being a star. Maybe these thoughts aren't serious and maybe they don't last long, but they are there. In some people the thought becomes almost an obsession, a deep drive to see their name in lights.
Now, for most of us I think these thoughts tend to fade as you get older. Especially if you go down a career path that doesn't produce much stardom. However, I think that we are all stars in our own life.
They say there are no small parts, only small actors. The saying is so old and well used that it's moved into the realm of cliche, but it's true. A good director will tell an actor that they must think of themselves as the star of the play/movie/television show. It doesn't matter how small the part is, how few lines you have or how little you're on stage, you have to think of your character as the most important person there.
Directors do this because that's the way people think of themselves.
This isn't ego, it's natural. We can only really see the world through our own point of view. No matter how empathetic we are. Even when trying to understand someone else we're doing it through the filter of our own thoughts and experiences. It's impossible of us to think of anyone else as the star of our own life. Indeed, we call it our life. We take ownership of it. Our friends and family are players and we're the star.
Again this is separate from ego, we can place people above us in importance. For instance, I would do anything for my children or my wife. I would sacrifice myself is necessary for their survival, but I am still the star of my own life. Everything I see is through my eyes and my perspective.
So what does this have to do with writing? You must keep this point of view in mind when you're writing your characters. Every movie has a star and every book has a main character. And while that character might be the most important one in the book and we might see most things through their eyes, never forget that your other characters all think of themselves as the star of the book.
Let this point of view inform their actions, their dialogue. This is one of the best way to create realistic and rich characters and improve your book. It makes the world you're creating seem more real when the people seem real.
Remember, in real life no one thinks of themselves as the best friend, or the daughter, or the co-worker. People don't think their stock characters, your creations shouldn't think that either.
Now, for most of us I think these thoughts tend to fade as you get older. Especially if you go down a career path that doesn't produce much stardom. However, I think that we are all stars in our own life.
They say there are no small parts, only small actors. The saying is so old and well used that it's moved into the realm of cliche, but it's true. A good director will tell an actor that they must think of themselves as the star of the play/movie/television show. It doesn't matter how small the part is, how few lines you have or how little you're on stage, you have to think of your character as the most important person there.
Directors do this because that's the way people think of themselves.
This isn't ego, it's natural. We can only really see the world through our own point of view. No matter how empathetic we are. Even when trying to understand someone else we're doing it through the filter of our own thoughts and experiences. It's impossible of us to think of anyone else as the star of our own life. Indeed, we call it our life. We take ownership of it. Our friends and family are players and we're the star.
Again this is separate from ego, we can place people above us in importance. For instance, I would do anything for my children or my wife. I would sacrifice myself is necessary for their survival, but I am still the star of my own life. Everything I see is through my eyes and my perspective.
So what does this have to do with writing? You must keep this point of view in mind when you're writing your characters. Every movie has a star and every book has a main character. And while that character might be the most important one in the book and we might see most things through their eyes, never forget that your other characters all think of themselves as the star of the book.
Let this point of view inform their actions, their dialogue. This is one of the best way to create realistic and rich characters and improve your book. It makes the world you're creating seem more real when the people seem real.
Remember, in real life no one thinks of themselves as the best friend, or the daughter, or the co-worker. People don't think their stock characters, your creations shouldn't think that either.
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