Ready, Set, Oops!

Admit it, we all love to see the big guys blow it. And I don't mean just dropping their sword, but flipping up, head over heels, and slapping into the ground like a boned fish. It doesn't matter what the situation is, but when the big hero, or threat, completely goofs up and has his pants around his ankles it throws everything up into the air and makes stuff exciting.

Indiana Jones has many such scenes in his movies. The iconic scene from The Temple of Doom where he goes for his gun and finds it missing comes to mind. But, even the first movie within the very first few minutes has several: the idol dropping after his trademark smile of success, or him grabbing the vine after leaping over the pit only to have it suddenly drop him another few feet. Such things are exciting and stirs up the story stew. I absolutely love them.

I guess what I'm really talking about is unpredictability. There isn't enough of that these days. It's like stories drive along on railroad tracks, to a defined and definite conclusion. What gets me going is when stories whack me in the back of the head and make me look in another direction; "Where'd that come from?"

Keep me guessing, and keep me curious.

- M

Epic scale

What does it mean for something to be epic? Really long? Amazingly expensive? Extensively detailed? When does a story become more than itself and create its own mystique? And, one more question, is that done intentionally?

I doubt the answers are simple, or easy. That said, I think stories become epic of their own accord. The story moves from a simple tale into an area where it takes on a life of its own. I doubt the author even knows its happening. To me its the magic of writing, and that's a big part of it.

Certainly there are some that set out to do an epic, such as The Lord of the Rings, or the Iliad. Stuff like that started out huge and never slowed down. They also drew on massive amounts of existing mythology and legend. Creating all that from scratch takes a lot of time, years and more.

So, what's my point? It's just that trying to be epic isn't what most stories are about. They should strive to be the best story they can be, without the baggage of excess. If you can infuse a story with that without pushing too hard, then fantastic; go for it. As a reader, I enjoy an epic story, but I'm absolutely looking for simple entertainment. A good story isn't always an epic story, but an epic story isn't necessarily a good one either. Tread carefully.

- M

All about fun

When I think of stories, I think of fun. Adventure. Escape. Living vicariously through someone else. It's about escaping to somewhere else.

I told my children, when they were just starting to read, that I've flown through space, fought dragons, gone to the depths of the ocean, and zipped through time. How? Through books. I was there, if only in my imagination. But what does that matter? It happened in my mind's eye, so why not simply let it happen and enjoy it to the fullest?

Adults, for some reason, don't allow their imaginations to run free. Perhaps it's trained out of them? I've always suspected that adults maintain such a death grip on reality because imagination seems useless in the "real world." I completely disagree. What's wrong with enjoying cloud animals, or flitting about with the birds, or taking a trip down the river with Tom Sawyer? It stretches the mind, allows it to breathe, and provides inspiration.

So, pick up a book, and get to work expanding your mind!

- M

ps. And, while you're at it, check out mine too :) The Faerie Legacy

Pain

How can pain be useful in a story?

Well, there are many types of pain, many kinds. There's mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and maybe even more. We all understand pain, and we all know what it feels like. I think that's why stories with real visceral pain move us so much. Think about the recent movie "127 Hours" where the hiker had to cut off his own arm. That story was powerful simply because it was an extreme form of pain that every human being has felt, and not only that but he was alone and suffering from extremes of emotion and mental pain. A very compelling story.

What if the pain is being imposed on the focus of the story? What if the pain is used to put the reader into the pain itself? What if the main character is the one causing pain to others?

It seems to me that the conflict from many stories is because of pain. It's such an easy thing to sympathize with, and so is useful for an author in a big way. The best way, in my view, is to draw in a reader is to make them feel something definite for the characters. Do that and readers will put up with a lot of errors, just so they can continue the story to a satisfying conclusion (happy or not). I think readers love to get their emotions yanked by feeling the pain in the story.

- M

Ode to Fred Saberhagen

Fred Saberhagen is one of my all time favorite authors. Born May 18, 1930, died June 29, 2007. He was the author of the famous Berzerker series of science fiction stories, and also had a serious knack for taking established stories and giving them his own unique twist. His stories had a significant impact on my own writing, and freed my imagination from the restraints that many people place on their own imaginings.

As much as I love his Berzerker stories (regarding massive planet-sized robots fighting a nearly exterminated humanity), it was his re-imaginings of classical mythology that worked on me the greatest. The Book of Swords, the Face of the Gods, took mythology and twisted them into very nearly making complete sense in a practical way. He did the same with Dracula, giving that myth a realness that is absolutely incredible. I love how his stories came alive with a reality that I couldn't find in any other writer.

More than any other writer, Fred Saberhagen taught me how to infuse my stories with imagination. He taught me not to fear twisting perceptions and gaming the reader. I learned an enormous amount from him, and it pains me that we will never see another word from him. He was one of a kind, and I am grateful I saw him, at least a little bit, running around behind the words on the page.

- M

Remakes/Reboots

With the current flurry of Hollywood remakes going on, I wanted to consider what the reasons are for it all. There's a long history of retelling popular stories, and it's not a bad thing in my mind. After all, if a story worked before it will probably work again. Depending on who you listen to, there are a limited number of story types (as few as four, and up into the dozens). Anyway, there just aren't a whole lot of ways of telling man vs. nature for instance. But, those are just story types; the framework binding a story together.

Remaking a story usually involves modernizing, or retelling it with a different perspective. Actually, one of my favorite movies is a remake: "Ever After" the Drew Barrymore reimagining of Cinderella. Done thoughtfully, it's a great thing and can be very respectful. It comes down to taking something that worked before and making it your own. In my opinion, it's risky and requires a lot of respect for the source material.

This new trend doesn't respect it's source. Hollywood is doing it just to get more money from a concept/franchise that isn't producing anymore. I think that's why the new "Lone Ranger" film is doing so poorly. Even the new "A-Team" movie had more respect for the old show. I guess the main thing is that it's a risky choice, even with things as classic as "The Hobbit."

- M

Cats

I think the strangest animal I've ever encountered is the common house cat. They have an incredible ability to completely creep me out by walking up and staring with an intense concentration at absolutely nothing. Makes me understand why the ancient Egyptians thought cats communicated with the dead. Absolutely eerie.

Where a dog would run around, waiting to do something for its owner, cats meander about until they want something and then won't go away. They have begging down to a distinct science that even a two year old would envy. It's fantastic how guilty I feel when it's not quite feeding time and the cats are staring at me. Absolutely amazing. Puppy dog eyes have nothing on cats.

Did I mention that we have two of the critters? Twice as bad.

Maybe the Egyptians were on to something? But, cats aren't spirit creatures. They're aliens. Nothing from this great Earth could possibly tug your heartstrings while simultaneously ignoring you completely. Aliens. I swear. Maybe inter-dimensional? Still, I've never seen weirder creatures.

- M

Reality TV

Reality TV represents what kind of story exactly? I'm not entirely sure. Our society has completly embraced the concept (at least, if the TV listings are any indication). I've seen my fair share, and I admit to enjoying many of them--Duck Dynasty yeehaw!

Anyway, I was thinking about how the stories are created. I'm guessing that there are a huge number of hours that get edited down into a single show. Just editing causes a story to form. My opinion is that most of these shows end up being harsh and antagonistic, or at least argumentative. Sure, that produces conflict, but is conflict good by itself? Apparently so, since these shows are everywhere.

So, what stories do these tell? It sure doesn't reflect "reality" in any way, despite the label. I think that what these shows do is tell the story the producers find the most snappy--something that they think is catchy, or hot, or so startling that people will tune in. It's a direct grab for the viewer's attention. But, what sort of entertainment is it? It's generally not teaching anything, and is voyeuristic instead.

Maybe that's why I like Duck Dynasty. As a viewer, I really get the impression that the cast is in on the whole thing and are doing comedy pieces for each show.

What do you all think? Feel free to post comments.

- M

July 4th

Happy Independence Day. July 4th. My greatest respects to those brave people in our past, and also to our fine servicemen and women. It is through the blood and sweat of patriots that this country remains free. I salute you all.

And July 4th brings up the subject of fireworks. The most awesome creation in the history of the world. Stuff that you can light legally and watch them go boom! They shoot up into the sky, or spin around on the ground, or just make noise. I love them, especially when it's dark.

But, where I live we can't use fireworks at all. Sheesh. I realize that dry stuff around makes fireworks use a bit dangerous. Sure. I understand, but I'm in a city. Not a whole lot of dry stuff other than concrete. Well, anyway, it's still fun to watch firework shows and enjoy the beauty and sound of such powerful explosions. Amazing how a collection of burning embers can bring such a smile to my face.

So, Happy Independence Day all!

- M