Accept one crazy idea and leap into the unknown! Avengers are awesome!

Avengers Assemble!

Many fiction stories contain ridiculous ideas for the setup of the movie. When the audience accepts the idea and moves along it is called "suspension of disbelief" and is one of the most important things that must happen for a story to succeed. With the newest Marvel film "Avengers 2: Age of Ultron" in theatres I thought I'd talk about how this ancient concept works so well still today.

Think about what the audience must accept for the movie to even function at all? Artificial Intelligence to the level of sentience, manned robot suits capable of sustaining damage which would destroy most modern tanks, regular humans with combat skills so advanced they can fight murderous robots without dying instantly, and then we have the superhumans with powers able to twist reality and superspeed and on and on and on. That's a huge amount to accept and move on with. But, the audience does it with hardly a thought. I find that simply incredible. What it means to me as a writer is that there aren't ideas too crazy to get away with, but it's all in how it's presented. Come up with an idea, explore it to come up with the rules, and go for it! People will follow you on that crazy journey.

There is one rule that authors must abide by when using this method... internal consistency. If you set out the rules and then break them, the audience will loose their suspension of disbelief. It's like making up rules for tag when you're kids: if you don't all agree and stick to them, then the rules don't matter and the game fails. But, stick with it like the law and your audience will love you for it. Just look at Marvel and its massive universe (or is it multiverse still, I can't remember). There are millions of words written on all the history and other resources for it, yet it's all fiction! Incredible. Even more, audiences will join the ride and create their own fan-fiction to boost it yet further.

No matter how crazy or absurd we humans are, you gotta give it to us ... we humans love our fantasies.

- M

Confidence beyond all reason

I've been re-watching the Harry Potter series of movies (I'm currently on number 6) and was struck by the scene where Harry pretends to pour Liquid Luck into Ron's drink. Within the story, Liquid Luck allows the imbiber to luckily make everything happen in their favor--like a magical rabbit's foot. Anyway, Harry doesn't actually put the stuff in Ron's drink, so Ron's success is actually only due to being supremely confident. All he needed was a confidence boost.

But, my question is, if someone is trusting an outside agent (magic potion, object, person, or whatever) to the extent they don't believe their own actions are their own, then is it truly confidence or something else? Put the same person in the same situation again and I bet the result comes out differently (because the person knows the outside agent isn't actually responsible). I've seen this happen myself and struggle to explain it, especially in physical challenges (like Ron being brilliant at goal keeping in that movie). It's easy to say the physical ability already existed, but perhaps it's not that easy.

So, here's my question: when someone thinks they aren't in control, but an outside agent is doing it for them, is anything possible? Can things be done beyond the capacity of the individual? Confidence does many things, but it isn't magic and sure won't make anyone superhuman. Still, it's hard to turn aside the many examples that seem otherwise. Supreme confidence in my mind is a true magic trick--possibly the only real magic in the world. With it you can accomplish nearly anything. It's amazing to witness and even more so to experience personally. I believe, in the end, it isn't luck but you who make things happen.

- M

Talking points, exposition, and generally getting information out there

A funny thing happens in stories ... there is stuff the audience needs to know but isn't readily obvious. In other words, the narrator needs to get involved somehow and explain things. This is usually labelled "exposition." There's lots of ways to do it, with a current vogue of characters having a weird conversation about, "remember how we..." or "since ... happened we now do..." The easiest way is have a narrator step in and explain it quickly (like in the new Lord of the Rings movies where the first movie has a great voiceover explaining the One Ring, the other rings, elves, and so on). However the author does it, exposition stops a story flat until the explaining is done, then audience understands, and we can get on with it.

Let the reading begin...

Now this can also be done without words at all--for example, the beginning of Up features a short visual story that is less than 5 minutes of pure brilliance and without a single word--by using visuals, music, artwork, scents (think Art Gallery). All these things provide clues, and a basis for the story. I love experimenting with different methods, but my favorite is taking a character that has no reason to know anything and having them "taught" what the backstory is through some form of instruction--usually a quick few sentences. The point is to make it quick and gentle, get everyone up to speed, and carry on with the adventure.

That's probably the biggest reason I don't mind a voiceover start to a movie (instead of a bunch of scrolling text) is because I haven't even started the story yet and so I don't mind listening to a short lecture. Though, in a book, if I must have exposition, I prefer it directly from the narrator as a snappy few sentences.

Funny thing is, we do this in regular life as well. Think about it. Most jokes have a setup... we inform new staff of how we do things... a visitor will be told the history of curious objects... Life is a series of narrations, cherished memories, odd trifles, and patchwork images, strung together like diamonds on a chain. Make it a good one.

- M

Impossible activities, followed by a nice sparkling grape juice. Let your imagination roam free!

Well, the seasons change as they should. Summer is well on the way, with Spring shedding its innocence and throwing the first tendrils of Summer heat our way. That's fine, can't have it cool and livable all the time (yup, I love the cold). Wouldn't it be marvelous if we could dial up the climate and weather around our personal homes? In the Star Trek universe Earth is always weather controlled, so I expect they keep it a constant temperature as well. Now that's an impossible activity I'd love to take part in.

In my daydreams I've imagined going to a theme park where you can ski powdery snow and then go to the other side of the park and enjoy the sun and warmth of a waterpark. Of course, those dreams also include flying through the air like Superman (one reason I'd love to go skydiving) and going into the zero gravity of space. Imagine a place where all that could be true? Wouldn't it be fantastic?

My children have been encouraged throughout their lives to water and grow their imaginations. I think it's one of the most important aspects of life. Just imagine living in a world of dinosaurs, or flying with star pilots. I have done it, in my mind's eye. You can do it too, if you'll feed your imagination! Then, you can step into a book and ride the dragons and feel their flame in your hands, sit with Smaug as Bilbo riddles with him, and tremble as the earth quakes underfoot at the fury of mythical creatures.

I can only express how much fun it is to imagine the impossible--it's like breathing distilled life. Vision extends beyond reality. Anything becomes possible! Try it!

- M

Why all the weeping and crying?

I've written about love stories a few times, and I have a question for you all: why do love stories end up being weepy? It's actually pretty funny how predictably people cry during love stories. Sure, the basic plot is for someone to end up with their soul mate and sail off into the sunset (though sometimes the end is tragic death). Still, why this modern version of love stories? There are many other ways to tell a story about love.

I'd like to see more love stories in the style of Anne of Green Gables. Yes, even as a guy, I can like that story. We hear all the time how girls are wanting strong female characters, and I offer you Anne. She is strong, independent, willing to make a mess out of things, willing to work hard, and willing to sacrifice. Yes, the movies get a bit confused at the end, but this is a great story.

How about a love story that begins with love and ends with love, showing a deepening and progression from puppy love, through the stirrings of deep love and into the mature warmth of commitment that isn't based on emotion but mutual promise. Personally, I haven't seen a movie such as this for a very long time, if ever. I think this is needed, especially in our modern age of fast-food love. We need examples of loving that is mature and unselfish. Be honest, would you prefer to weep a bit at the end, or look at your partner and sigh, "I want our love to be like that!"

There's great power in a well made love story. Shakespeare famously brought two warring factions together through love in "Romeo and Juliet," and throughout spoke eloquently of politics and anger. I think a love story captures the attention in a special way, and it's not just to make you cry. Love is one of the greatest reasons to make a story. Make it special. Worthwhile. The subject deserves it.

- M

Finding hope in despair

There is a scene in the movie/story "The Neverending Story," where our hero and his horse fall into an endless swamp. The horse is claimed by sadness and sinks beneath the murk, hopeless and lost. But, our hero forces himself to continue his quest--even though it's a nearly impossible task of finding a cure for the ailing Empress. We feel the hopelessness, the despair, the desire to give up. It's one of the best written examples of despair, Of course, the hero manages and everything turns out great.

So, what changed for our hero? Where did the hope come from? Well, like so many occasions, the hope came from outside of the hero. First, an ancient turtle gives him a new idea, then a series of new challenges try our hero's determination, and finally the story's pinnacle where a new hero takes over. It's a welcome relief, a changing of the guard, and makes the audience lean in as we want to know more.

Why is hope so difficult? I'm not sure it is, but sometimes it's tough to accept. It takes a measure of humility to accept hope, especially if we're normally dependent only on our own ability. The funny thing in stories is that I find myself yelling at the page, "don't give up!" As if I really could change the outcome, but wouldn't it be fun if we could? That's the premise of "The Neverending Story," and it's a wild ride. Check it out!

- M

Love story, a romance for the ages

Deep down, I think everyone appreciates a good love story. It's the ultimate tale of reward, answered prayers, and desperate hope. Sappy or honest, sweet or cutting, passionate or philosophical, love stories dig to the heart in a way no other story can. I believe it's because we were made to love and without it there is a huge hole within that screams for attention. Love stories briefly fill that void.

The wonderful thing about love stories is that they don't have to be passionate, sloppy, kissy, things. It could be as simple as the love of a pet bringing comfort and hope to a patient with cancer. Or, the cross-generational love of parents for their children. Then, of course, there's love between partners in life--which is likely what we think of first when we consider love stories.

Speaking from personal experience, the vastness of love is spellbinding. It's hard to pin down just what it is that love makes me feel, but it's a warmth of soul that eases the many panics of life. Reading a quality love story lifts me to a warm and fuzzy place where everything is alright and nothing can go wrong, and even if something did happen it would be okay. Love is a strangely empowering emotion while it also makes us weak at the knees in the presence of our adored. My wife steals my complete attention with a touch (to the great amusement of our children) and I think she secretly enjoys knowing she can.

Common writing advice is to write what you know. Love stories are a common language we all share. If you are interested in writing, I'd suggest starting there. Grab hold of the many threads in your life and pick out the strongest ones, then set those to paper. The story writes itself, and I bet you'll be surprised how powerful that story is already.

- M

Crazy, ridiculously good jelly beans

I'd love to shake the hand of whoever invented the jelly bean. It's a perfect candy. Soft, but chewy. Candy shell, with a jelly filling. And, the varieties ... oh, the sweet variety of the jelly bean! I hear that you can get a Harry Potter style blend with ones that taste like vomit and ear wax (yeesh, not that I'm suggesting such a thing). Even more fantastic are the combinations that create bewildering flavors as they are eaten together--like popping two chocolate and a cake flavor that combine to make chocolate cake.

I know I've written about such things before, but it never fails to impress me at the imagination of we silly humans. And how we do throw our imagination into such frivolous goofiness! We never seem to tire of creating more and better and greater. I'm all for it. Who cares if such idle creativity doesn't last more than a few moments in the mouth? There are mushrooms that cost insane amounts of cash to purchase ... and those are for food that is gone in moments. But, the taste is exquisite!

When it comes down to it, we do many loony things just because they're pleasurable to do. I can think of worse reasons. I suppose all this effort could be funneled into other things much more productive. But, how much fun would that be? Surely there's plenty of room in life for a bit of play and frivolity? I'd like to think there is.

- M

Artificial Intelligence in stories, games, movies, and general culture

WALL-E, the lovable world destroyer...

Well, it seems a robot uprising is imminent and our military is gearing up to fight to save us. Okay, I'll admit to a ton of sarcasm in the previous sentence and that's mainly because I can't seriously accept the concept. While machines are indeed becoming far more intelligent, it's not exactly the useful sort of intelligence that sentient things use and is more like the intelligence of a vastly complex tool. Science still hasn't satisfactorily answered the question, " define consciousness." But, this new interest in the field is producing all sorts of fun cultural thingies. Maybe we'll see a new set of stories about a robot apocalypse, since the last one we had was "The Matrix" and that's pretty ancient now.

One thing I've tried teaching my children is the concept of Lateral Thinking (aka "thinking outside of the box"). The main concept is to examine your own assumptions, then leap past them and come up with anything new and different. In the case of robot uprising, I'd love to see some radically different ideas. Why not have an uprising that had nothing to do with control/power but insisted instead on severing ties between robots and humans--with the humans resisting and creating the insurrection. Or, why not have robots who become increasingly incompetent the more of them there are? Just some ideas. I'm eager to have some new stuff to explore and enjoy. There's plenty of ideas out there, with more happening all the time. Give us something fresh!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is still not well understood by most people. I agree it's one of those "rocket science" types of thoughts, and there isn't a simple way to explain it. What I've noticed is the majority imagine AI as robots who are artificial people. Sadly, this isn't very accurate (except maybe neural mapping systems, but even those are like comparing human thought to that of an ant). I'd love to see AI treated like an alien being--with thoughts and concepts totally foreign/alien to a human being. That provides the robots with all the flexibility necessary to have totally different values and needs. With that in place, the robot uprising wouldn't even need to be understood and we humans could be taken completely by surprise!

- M

Originality ... make it so!

Depending on who you ask, there are a limited number of basic story plots. I won't weigh in on that, though I believe it's true, because in my view the originality has nearly nothing to do with plot and everything to do with hows and whys and whatsits. To me, the characters are what make the story, and not the sequence of events (unless you are creating histories). The framework it all hangs on is no more exciting than a clothes hanger. Show me genuine, understandable, characters and I'll show you a successful story.

I love talking with children, because they come up with wildly unrelated things (try having them tell you a story about their favorite toy). Some people call that unbridled creativity, though you could also say that it's unhindered originality. After all, children don't have tons of life experience to draw on--or they also don't have barriers people have told them not to cross. We all have this ability, if we turn off our own internal restrictions. As adults, we naturally try to bring everything together with understandable context and succession. Children just throw it all out and see what sticks. It's loads of fun!

The funny thing is, despite our best intentions, we rarely come up with something actually new. Music is especially prone to repeating tunes, but you'll see repeated sequences in written stories or anything else as well. That's why I focus on characterization so much, because the people inhabiting the story are as close to original as we are able to achieve on a regular basis. However you achieve it, make something original today... I command it!

- M

The end of an era!

There's a concept called "passing of the torch." It's meant to be a picture of an Olympic runner taking the torch and giving it to the next generation of champion. It's a great visual, and I think we can all relate. Fathers and mothers do this as they teach and groom their children, master craftsmen do it as they instruct apprentices, and every area of life we see this going on all the time. It's the constant cycle of rebirth and renewal. Without it, things become stale and die away. Passing on becomes another symbol for life, despite the reality of death.

Maybe it's because I'm older, but I really enjoy stories that show this transition. Take a mighty hero, like the Flash (my personal favorite), and show them fading away as their successor takes over and builds on the legacy. Such stories are powerful, especially because we glimpse the growth of a new hero. It's like watching new stars come into being in real life (entertainment and sports are particularly easy to spot bright new stars). There is a special magic about these stories--so much so that we get excited about even being in the same room as such people.

The fun part is the realization that the end of an era isn't anything to be upset about. What it means is that new greatness is coming into being and we get the joy of watching it bloom! I get a thrill out of realizing I'm witnessing a torch being passed, and I find myself on the edge of my seat as I watch it all unfold. It's one of the greatest kinds of sport, and I'll never tire of it.

- M

Weeping Angels ... let them weep!

I'm probably more guilty than most when it comes to overthinking plots and story ideas. I've gradually learned over the years to be more open and flexible, but it's tough. I'm sure my own stories are filled with contradictions and things people will roll their eyes at. What I've learned now is to take matters in stride and enjoy the overall movie.

Speaking of overthinking, what about one of the best episodes of the recent Doctor Who? I'm talking about "Don't Blink," which introduced the best modern scary monster of Doctor Who ... the Weeping Angels. These are creatures that turn to stone when we look at them, but otherwise move like lightning. Creepy and amazing, these things are a wonderful bad guy. Until you start thinking about it that is. After all, if they're so fast, what could possibly stop them? It's ridiculous to expect that eyes are on these creatures so much they don't kill everything around them. But, why ruin a great monster with logic? I doubt any fictional story can withstand intense scrutiny. Enjoy the scary monsters!

This is why I enjoyed Pacific Rim so much. Put your brain in the blender and let things wash over you! Stories are much more enjoyable when you let it happen without interrupting the flow. I think this one willful act is the best thing an audience can do. It used to be called "suspense of disbelief," which is hardly used anymore. When you let it happen you stop resisting the story and become a part of it. Then the real magic happens as the story surrounds you and burrows deep within. So, stop thinking so hard and wallow in the goodness of a story!

- M

Knee surgery tomorrow

Any surgeries are frightening, especially ones where you are rendered fully unconscious and sleep through it all. I've had more than my share, including both knees totally replaced. The first knee replacement went great, the second not so much. Now, I go back in tomorrow to have a ton of scar tissue ripped out (well, sliced out in very careful sections, but it still feels brutal to me). I'm both excited for new mobility and terrified of what's being done to my body.

I can hardly comprehend how people must feel who go for heart surgery or brain surgeries. It's almost beyond understanding. The risk is so high, and yet we trust our surgeons to do their all to make us well. No wonder some doctors have a god complex. Myself, I'm not really worried. I've had this surgery four times before (orthoscopic knee surgery). But, I still am grateful my wife will be there with me--something like an adult security blanket I suppose.

Maybe the best thing one can do when facing surgeries is to think happy thoughts? Kind of like Peter Pan learning to fly. Think of puppy dogs and warm baths and sunsets lighting up the sky. And then enjoy the wonderful feeling of asking the anesthesiologist telling you to count back from 100 (seriously, I asked them to do that and I got to 98 once). The only thing I like is closing my eyes and immediately opening them again and finding it's all over ... like magic.

- M