« 111. Seeking the Center of Noise and Rhythm | Main | 113: Knot Chasing » February 04, 2005

112: Brain Rubs Will Make You Uncurl

Some days I wish I could open up a hatch on my head and scratch the surface of my brain with a fork in an effort to stimulate activity. It may, of course, be an issue of not enough sleep, but when one is awake, it would be nice if the brain actually fired up the creative engine. I had dreams last night of shopping for a new house which only reflects reality instead of re-imagining it. And the dream houses certainly weren't any better than the ones I've been seeing which is also annoying.

There's a trap writers know to avoid (at least, they should): never be bored by what you are writing. If you are bored putting the words on the page, it'll be transparent to the reader and they'll be equally uninterested in your words. You have to be stimulated about the work even when you are doing a massive info-dump of world building. It's got to be EXCITING!

I'm still fascinated by the concepts of the BOOK OF LIES, but the day-to-day isn't exciting. It's doesn't seem surreal enough, the strangeness of the world isn't coming through and maybe that is an issue of my choice of the first person narrative: it puts you on a fairly limited linear path. I like the main character, but there are secondary players who seem like they're having more fun and I want to play with them. Eh, this is a reoccurring problem with me: my mains seem to get wrapped up in their own issues and stop having fun. It's the unhinged supporting players that are always a treat. (There's some commentary on my state of mind in that, I think.)

I worry that if I am re-imaging the world that I need anchors for the rest of you to hold onto and maybe that's insulting to the audience. Maybe you don't need as much explanation as I fear you do. Maybe your suspension of disbelief is strong enough that I can just say, "See? This is the way the world is." And that will be all it takes. Maybe I'm trying to hard to justify myself instead of just playing.

Eh, need a deep tissue brain rub this morning. I'm eating my own tail.

Posted by Teppo at February 4, 2005 07:50 AM

Comments

Has your narrator of THE BOOK OF LIES ever gotten lost in his world?

Have you read Steppenwolf lately?