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It's been a sad week for the Baby Boomers and Gen X losing two of the great popular icons of our time. Farah Fawcett was the all-American blonde we all had pinned to our bedroom walls, and Michael Jackson provided the soundtrack to our childhood. We take it so much for granted that we will live - if not forever - well into our eighties, even nineties, that to lose two people who embodied youth at such an early age is a wake up call for us all.
It makes you wonder whether there will ever be icons like this again. At the age of 50, Jackson had a career spanning four decades. Can you imagine that happening now when slebs are turned over at such a rate? His life is epic - dazzling god given talents, immense wealth, global adulation and a crashing fall from grace thanks to a tragic personal life that was at best eccentric. Did you ever buy a Jackson record? I didn't, but know most of his back catalogue - his music was part of our pop culture growing up. Who doesn't remember seeing Thriller for the first time? You have the feeling this story is going to run and run - the vultures are circling, and no doubt more lurid tales of abuse will be sold to the highest bidder. Let's hope Jackson's real legacy - his incredible music - will eclipse the fairground freakshow.
We live in less innocent times now than when a fresh faced boy sang 'ABC' and danced on air. It's like pop culture is eating itself - the tabloids say we want prurient inside scoops on sleb lives so they report it, but do people just read what's on offer? Personally, I like it when stars are just that - retaining mystery, star quality. I don't want to know what they eat for breakfast, who they are shagging, the reason they don't talk to their brother, or that they sleep under an energy pyramid. Is it not enough any more to be an accomplished artist or performer? Every culture needs its icons - larger than life individuals we can pin our hopes and dreams on. It makes you wonder who is going to step up on the empty pedestal.
TODAY'S PROMPT: Back in the olden days a writer would have the chance to grow their audience. Now expecting little from the first two or three books isn't an option. Writers are brand names in the same way celebrities are. If you're working on a book or story right now, how can you make it stand head and shoulders above the other submissions? One of the classic mistakes every new writer makes is to have a central character that isn't really that interesting. They are 'the writer in disguise' - probably perfectly nice characters, but they are observers of what's going on in the story rather than the dynamic. Let them experience things - good and bad - that few people will. Writers are attached to their characters - maybe you feel protective of them? Dig out that 'chip of ice' all writers are supposed to have in their hearts and throw the works at them. Give them things people dream of - love,wealth, beauty, talent - then take them away. Give them obstacles to overcome, conflict to survive, quests to undertake. Learn from society's obsession with celebrities - their fascination is that they are not 'normal', their lives are not like ours. Your characters need star quality - today why not have a look at how you can raise the stakes?
It's the end of our 6 week summer kick start - let's check in below. And for anyone writing short stories at the moment, why not check out Tonto Books' competition, which is being judged by author and blogger the lovely Caroline Smailes:
http://www.tontobooks.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=Even-More-Short-Stories
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26 comments:
Hope the six weeks have been a great start getting your writing on track. The tally here is: five shorts entered for national comps, 20,000 words of the new novel, and MA applied for (interview next Fri, yikes). Looking forward to hearing how you all got on x
It just shows that true celebrities cannot be manufactured - who would ever have the discipline to be such a perfectionist as Jackson was these days? Everyone wants Instant Fame. Yes it feels like the passing of an era ...all we are left with is celebrity clones, nobodies popping up on every reality show and thinking they have something to say when apparently Jackson was modest and self effacing despite being one of the most talented people on the planet.
i think all the folks following ashton krutcher on twitter demonstrate that people really do seek out dirt on celebrity private lives. why, i have no idea.
I love your new banner.
As for celebrities... I've stopped following all the news, because, really, I just want to hear about the new movie or tv show or record. I don't want to hear about nor do I care who they are dating or not dating. Although I am rather interested in what they are wearing. Hey! They have stylists and I don't.
As for the novelling, I have that problem, of making my central character a cipher. I wrote half of a novel, showing my writing group as I went, with no one saying anything. Then I realized it and said something, and they were all, like, "we didn't want to say anything!"
Some writing group. Good thing I'm done with them.
As for the last six weeks... it's weird, I don't know how much I have accomplished, but I think it was a decision making time.
I made the decision that we would be moving to California... and it was my decision. We set plans into action that have S finally out there. He has an acceptable car, and a sublet house starting in September. He needs to find a steady job out there and then we have the next couple of months to pack and move our stuff and me and the kids out there. Phew. It feels good to no longer be stuck in indecision, but we still have time to the completion of our plans.
I have also started my 100 in 100 days creative challenge. I am up to 25... only a couple of days behind.
I think things are clearer to me now in regards to where I want to go and what I want to do. I should take the next 6 weeks to plan and organize and research and set everything into motion.
Hi Emma - yep, comes back to my pet subject the modesty of genius. Was just reading an interview with Ricky Gervais in which he said he was very glad not to achieve fame until later in life because his relationships and friendships were well established and he can take the whole fame hoopla with a pinch of salt. Only got to hope things will swing back the other way towards genuine talent.
Hi Emily - I don't know either, can only imagine it's escapism, and with things like Twitter a false sense of connection to slebs.
Hi Rowena - California?? Woohoo! Really excited for you. Beautiful place. It sounds like you've achieved a great deal in the last 6 weeks and are making big changes in your life. Look forward to following your progress. (and thanks, glad you like the banner - found a cute old typewriter ad and had a doodle around with it!)
i love your new header. and you ask an interesting question- if celebrities made in the last decade will have any staying power.
Funny, I was thinking the same thing this morning... nothing is real any more... it's all manufactured tosh. I smell a backlash... Don't know when... but it'll happen.
Also loving your new header!
Sx
Hi Maggie - Thanks! yes, who knows. All the MJ fans are saying everyone will still be listening in 100 years. You wonder.
Hi Scarlet - thank you - glad people like it, just felt the need for a little spring clean after a year :) Ooh - backlash. Let's start it here x
Tonight I thought I was going to go read my work in public for the first time. That's what I was told. That's what I prepared for--a room full of strangers and me! Ack.
I showed up and it wasn't that at all.
But I did have to make small talk with all these rich people who are art collectors. I was the "Artist." There was lots of "This is the Artist." "Here is the Artist." It was very weird and uncomfortable. And that wasn't even real fame, but it was just...
I'm a writer and I can't find the words. No wonder so many famous people act like idiots. Sigh. This is a great conversation and I can't even begin to writer down all my thoughts about here.
But thanks for the post.
Hi, Kate --
Talk about icons: whoa, that new header image...! But you know it's awfully damned tantalizing, I can't quite make out the text inside the little banner. Does it really say "Bar Lock"? (And if so, please please tell -- which key have I been missing on my own writer's keyboard all these years?!? The thing belongs on Home Row for sure. :)
Big relief to hear you sounding positive about the 6-week project. Was very worried when you started it; it had the feel of Kate, issuing an ultimatum to herself. We Do Not Like Ultimata.
Since I had no particular goal(s) myself for that period, I can say happily, yes! right on target!
In the last week, though -- while my spirits and will were doing all right -- I found I'd kind of stalled in the story. (And it's a story I've "known" for years! -- not like I didn't know where to turn next.) Friday I was hit by an inspiration, and had a HUGE exciting marathon session yesterday... if it works out, I'll be sure to share the gimmick I came up with (though I doubt it's original).
Love Ricky Gervais's comment. Here's to fame postponed!
Hi Marta - congratulations! Hope you got lots of business cards, email addresses and hot prospects for your work. The way I look at it is it's like playing a role. This is the 'artist' or 'writer' part of you, the flip side of 'mom' and 'teacher'. Have fun with it. Your work is great - that people are setting up events like this for you speaks for itself. I read somewhere the other day that the moment we start feeling like we should be somewhere, it stops being fun. Wing it - you'll fly :)
Hi John - glad you like it. It's an old US ad and I think the make of typewriter was Bar Lock, New York? The text I really liked was the little line at the bottom: 'View As Seen When Writing' (hence Mother, hound, pilot off somewhere amazing etc). I hope the 6 week thing worked for everyone - had a feeling we were all feeling a bit down in the dumps with our work. It's amazing seeing how well everyone has done, so glad about your WIP, and yes do share away on 'Running ..' we need all the help we can get!
No, Kate. I didn't get any of that. Hardly anyone cared about the art and I didn't fly. I felt far more unwinged.
Sorry Marta ... sounds like you had a tough evening eh? Hang in there x
Brilliant writing advice. I think that's what my character is doing at the moment - she's just telling the story rather than living it and being it. You've given me so much to think about, and hopefully I'll go in a new direction now- thanks so much :D x
I have to admit, when I see that a celebrity has written a book- and specifically a CHILDREN'S book, i cringe.
and it makes me sick.
First off, love the new look! Secondly, I concur wholeheartedly on your comments about icons. Thirdly, I don't think students of writing understand conflict the way we did back in the Olden Days. Most of them-middle-class Americans, anyway-have had so few real obstacles to overcome.
BTW, my youngest just launched a photo blog, and I'm shamelessly trolling for traffic. Please visit my site to see what she's got going, and pay her a visit!
Could have sworn I left a comment on Saturday. Too much Pimms maybe.
Can't remember what I would have said. By the way i have been recommending your book to a Sixth Year school English class who are all interested in creative writing.
Welcome Green Ink - we've all done it without realising!
Hi Melissa - Thank you, and yes, conflict is central to any great fiction (who knew we'd feel lucky to have survived a thing or two? :)
Pimms Misssy? Who loves summertime. And thank you - really appreciate you rooting for the book. Grand total of 15 copies sold so far (which is small fry compared to the big boys but still = 15 kids going through school for a year).
"One of the classic mistakes every new writer makes is to have a central character that isn't really that interesting."
I thought Douglas Adams made that mistake with Arthur Dent in Hitchikers Guide. And yet the books were so popular.
Interesting point GB - Dent's a good example. Maybe it worked because he was *so* ordinary, an everyman in extraordinary circumstances?
It didn't work for me, Kate. I wanted to read more about Zaphod Beeblebrox. Perhaps the strength of the novel was its fanciful ideas rather than its characters.
Some of the latest books about well known people - talented rather than celebs - seem to be coming formulaic and written by rote.
It also seems publishers have lists which they need to fill. How much easier if potential writers were given access to the lists before writing their guts out and then being told it didn't fit the lists. Just a thought
Funnily enough GB the only character I remember was the rather endearing masochistic beast in the restaurant at the end of the world who tried to convince the diners to eat him - think it scarred me for life.
Hello Pat - I like your utopian vision! It has crossed my mind with the new book (what if it's not quite right, all the usual insecurities). All we can do is write from the heart and keep our fingers crossed x
Haven't checked in for awhile though I've been reading the blog.
Six week challenge
On the writing front did rather well, second draft completed, four stories written or redrafted and ready to send off and one competition entered. I haven't looked at the novel in about three weeks and can't wait to get stuck into the third draft this weekend.
Meditation - hit and miss and shhh, we won't mention the weight loss goal - maybe next time.
On thing that was frightening - didn't seem like six weeks at all. Hope we do this again soon. Good luck on your MA application, Kate.
Oh my heavens. I've finally managed to clock on here but whether this will work. Fingers crossed, Kate!
I have to admit to feeling totally detached from both of these deaths this week. Perhaps a mild surprise in Michael Jackson's case and slight sadness for Farrah that she had to suffer such a disgusting cancer. I can remember watching the very first episode of Charlie's Angels and I loved it at the time but Farrah's death didn't affect me emotionally. I was amazed at the amount of coverage the press gave it in Australia. I was also struck by the amount of people who admitted to me that 'they hadn't been interested in Michael's music before until he died.' His CDs sold out in a lot of stores in the CBD. which I couldn't fathom. If they weren't interested in his music before why on earth does death make it more attractive?
The only celebrity that has really shocked me with their dying young has been Princess Diana. I wasn't a fan of the Princess either, but I did feel totally struck by her death. I can remember first hearing the news on the radio at my defacto in-laws and my partner and I shouting it out in horror. I found her early death incredibly emotional to an unbelievable degree for a woman I had never met and hadn't had a particular liking for. I was never one to buy a magazine because it featured her. I think the media has a lot to answer for in building and destroying people that they choose to feature and also how they manipulate and influence our emotions so much.
This post got me thinking on who I see as 'icons' of the 70's. Abba would definitely have to be there along with Kate Bush, Blondie. Starsky and Hutch, Charlie's Angels and a host of Australian bands who used to feature in our charts before we went all American.
I love the tip on giving your lead character some star quality. I'll have that in my head as I struggle along with my edit.
xx
Susie - well done! sounds like you have had a fantastically productive 6 weeks. As for the bod, there's always next time as you say (it's all that sitting around writing isn't it ..?!)
Hello Josephine - thank you for persevering with these dastardly comments. Di was the first wasn't she - that huge, strange public outpouring of grief which seems to be a part of our age. Keys into our sense of loss - innocence, youth, who knows? And yes, Kate Bush, Debbie Harry - icons for sure :)
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