Stand By Your Man
How are you today? One of the things I’ve noticed with children just learning to speak, is how often you have to explain the multiple meanings of the English language. One word used in different contexts can mean a huge range of things. Take ‘fine’. How many examples can you think of? Fine bone china. Damn that’s a fine wo/man. I’m fine. Busy people – writers, workers, parents get so used to trotting out the ‘I’m fine’ line with a cheery smile. Are you? Are you really? A friend used to say it stands for Freaked out Insecure Neurotic and Emotional. Are you still feeling fine?
'Home Cheat Home' was one of the more imaginative headlines from the whole sorry Ramsay story. Old boyfriends of the professional mistress have popped up declaring that the 'sex crazed tiger' (not tigress, note) - left them mere husks of men: 'I was scared. I could barely walk' etc etc. And in the midst of all this the fragrant Tana is criticised for keeping a stiff upper lip and standing by her man. Leave the poor woman alone, for heaven's sake. I'm going back to my news blackout.
I'm still getting to grips with the motivation for the affair in book three - fact and fiction are crossing over curiously. What do men want? Really? Or women for that matter? You have this lovely woman at home, four kids, success, wealth and trappings only a few will ever experience, and you risk it all for what? The whole thing is just very sad ... I was reminded today of this incredible scene from 'Love, Actually.' Emma Thompson's breakdown is heartrending. It feels like it goes beyond acting, the emotion is so close to the surface. Who hasn't been there at some point - showing a brave front, keeping going when inside you're grieving ... Infidelity's not the only cause. People you meet everyday hide infinite sadness. Maybe the next time the press criticise public displays of solidarity and strength it would be as well to consider what's going on behind closed doors.
Strangely, Mrs R has just released a new book - the most intimate yet with photographs of the family and tips to keep the romance alive. What is it with publishing - take the curse of Hello, or the memorable 'Jane Seymour's Guide to Romantic Living' (divorce shortly followed publication)? Last night we watched Neil Labute's 'Your Friends and Neighbours'. I was hoping for something Woody Allen-ish, an exploration of male/female relationships. Should have read the reviews first: 'a film about three couples having affairs behind their partner's backs proclaiming itself to be 'a modern immorality tale', LaBute's eye for human cruelty is Jacobean.' It certainly is. Who knows, perhaps next time he'll tackle a celebrity chef.
TODAY'S PROMPT: If you are stuck with a character - he or she is lacking depth, not developing, why not have a think about what they might be hiding. What goes on behind closed doors? Think about each of your characters' back stories - what have their lives been like up to this point in the story, what are their hidden hopes, fears, scandals, desires. You don't have to use all this material - somehow just knowing it gives your story credence and richness. It's as much about what you leave out as you leave in. Or just for fun why not think of as many animal inspired nicknames for men and women as you can. Which sex has the most derogatory ones? Are there any that apply to both genders? Why do you think women like the mistress at the centre of this scandal are referred to as 'tigers' and 'cougars'? Is it because predatory sexuality is seen as a male trait? Or is it because the cliched 'professional mistress' has a predilection for leopardskin and furs?
