Authors Electric

A couple of days ago, I was watching The Truman Show, and it made me think how much writers have in common with the character of Cristof. If you have never seen the film, it is the story of how the 'creator' (Christof) of a major Television show and the network adopted an unwanted baby, (Truman) who unwittingly becomes the star of his own life on the long running show. The God(of the media)/man/free-will analogy is very clear, and what is magical about this film is the way it highlights the true resilience and unending curiosity - the need to explore - possessed by humans. Truman is safe in his bubble, but he need to embark on a quest for adventure. He literally breaks pout of his bubble and fee will wins out. But it got me thinking about the power authors have to manipulate both character and reader alike. Like Christof, as a writer of stories, I manufacture entire worlds and create characters who have lives, loves and adventures. I can put my characters through the wringer, m...

Leaning back in my car seat, I thought about characters in books, trying to compare myself to them. I love crime fiction and the main characters usually are overflowing with energy. They get hit over the head, shot at and threatened but they jump out of bed at 4am, ready to dash into the shower, have a coffee, grab their gun and they’re off to catch bad people. I totally relate. Well, to the need for coffee at least. The rest? No chance. And I wondered, how realistic should I make my characters? Should I make them bash their alarm clocks into snooze mode at least five times? Should I make them ignore cobwebs in corners until a visitor mentions it? The thing that intrigued me about the Famous Five was the fact they could be tied up for hours on end, yet nobody was desperate to go to the toilet. Then there is the lack of energy. With the world in turmoil and the stress of the last two years, I have days where it’s hard to move or think. Hearing dreadful news about an acquaintance’s h...