Us Versus Them

We're taught from an early age to split into groups, find those we have something in common with, to find strength in a certain kind of solidarity. Sports teams are an example of this. There's something to be said about strength in numbers, which is maybe why we have this mentality, but it can be an issue, too.

Middle and high school have us splitting into groups. Raise your hand if you haven't seen Breakfast Club. That movie accentuated cliques, showing that, when thrown together, kids are just kids, no matter what clique they belong to. But when not put in a situation like that, we once again form packs. Before Breakfast Club, we had The Outsiders, and probably five billion other books and movies I'm not mentioning. Soc's vs. Greasers. Preppies vs. Geeks vs. Weirdos.

We like to pretend that we've escaped that pack mentality of cliques when we're "all grown up," but we really haven't. There are still sports teams, town/state/country rivalries, etc. But I was horrified when I became a mom and discovered how cliquish grown women could be. There were working moms vs. SAHM's (stay-at-home-moms). Breast feeders vs. bottle feeders. Pro-circumcisers vs. anti-. Any little decision that might be applied to any possible child was something that could rankle one side against another.

And I won't even go into political and religious rivalries on here...

Now I've taken the step into writerdom, only to discover similar battles here. Are you a pantser or a plotter? Traditional or Indie published? Horror vs. Mystery vs. Fantasy vs. Romance vs. Literary vs. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. While for most it's just a topic of discussion, not a full blown battle, there are those who take it too far, those who see themselves as better than the other side. That's when it becomes an issue.

Fence by OCAL, clker.com

Personally, I don't care what you do. I'm interested in your writing and your journey, not whether you're on the same side of the fence as me. And I know most people sit in that same place. So why all the hate and separatism for some? Why must there always be a side, a clique, a fight to stand behind? Can we learn to just respect others' choices while feeling validated with our own decisions? Or is that what the problem is? We feel insecure about the choice we've made, so attack the other side. For example, if I say I'm interested in Indie publishing, but I'm not 100% confident, perhaps it will make me feel better if I can find reasons to nitpick at those who traditionally publish (or vice versa). By finding those holes, worrying at them, I make myself feel I've made the right decision. Is that what it's about? Or is it something completely different?

What I'm trying to say is...can't we all just get along?

What do you think causes this pack behavior? Do you think it's just good, clean, healthy competition, or can it be detrimental? Are there any particular battles you've fallen victim to or been a part of?

Good luck to those of you doing the A-to-Z, starting tomorrow!

May you find your Muse.

Impressions Matter

I went to see a movie last night (Skyfall, in case you're wondering), and there was a preview for the Jack Reacher film. I can't remember the title, but I've enjoyed the book series. I was excited when I first heard they were making a movie based on the book series, but then I heard Tom Cruise was cast as the main character, and I was deflated.

You see, I just plain don't like him. Therefore, no matter how good an actor he may or may not be, it taints the film for me. Admittedly, it looks like a damn good movie, and I will likely see it, but there's an internal war going down about that right now. Is it worth it to me, even with T.C. in it? Will my feelings for him remove me from the film too much?

This can work in various ways. Maybe it's not just about not liking the actor. Maybe I've seen them in another role and my brain has typecast them. For instance...the dad in Twin Peaks. I, to this day, cannot see that man without being completely ooged out about him. In human-speak, he's creepy! Actually, that's probably true of a few of the actors in that show. But the dad always sticks out to me. So seemingly harmless, and then...

In books, this is a bit different. When I meet the authors, it can sometimes bleed over into what I'm reading by them. If I don't like the author, negativity leaks into some part of the book. I've only met two writers I didn't like (writers rock, man!), and I've only read a book by one of them. But that person was so unlikable that I ended up finding her main protagonist impossible to like. A lot of her personality seemed to be wrapped up in her character, and I saw the things I hadn't liked. I struggled the entire way through the book. Now, this person has a successful series of books, so it's apparently only me that feels this way. In fact, I spoke to someone who loved her protagonist the other day. So is it the character...or the writer?

This can be a good thing, too. I met another author before reading their work, and they had such a distinct cadence when talking that when I read this person's books, I do so with that cadence in my mind. And, in fact, it makes the reading experience better, because that cadence is reflected in this person's writing. I've heard from others who hadn't met him that they had a hard time reading his work, but I'm betting it would suddenly get quite a bit easier if they met him and heard him speak.

Other experiences with this are fairly neutral. Yes, I'll see some bits of personality from the author in the writing (why wouldn't there be?), but it won't have any great affect.

The point of this? Remember when you're rich and famous that the way you interact with people will surely be reflected in your writing when they read your books. Don't be a jerk.

Do you find this happens with you? Or can you keep the actor/writer independent from their characters? 

May you find your Muse.

Image courtesy of Iyo at clker.com: Education Student Reading

Feature Friday Features: "...Then She Writes"

This is my first Feature Friday. I thought I would start by spotlighting bloggers I follow who have fewer than 100 followers.

Heidi Windmiller of ...Then She Writes is a writer of YA and Sci Fi, and her posts have to do with...writing! Didn't see that one coming, did you? She has a nice friendly voice in her blog writing and she posts some things that expand my horizons, others that entertain, and still others that simply have me rooting for her progress.

If you're looking for a good writing blog, check out Heidi's blog; her latest post is entitled Silent Time, something I've been working on myself, yet get so little of (parents will understand, and I'm sure many non-parents, too).

Happy Writing!

Hangin' With the Cool Kids

A friend of mine wants to set up a writer's/artist's group in his area, as the only one he could find around him has been inactive for awhile. I was asked what the writer's groups I belong to do so he could be sure to include things people would be interested in. Though he is a screenwriter, he is thinking of making it for all artistic types.

Rather than just sending a list of things we do in the local writer's groups, I thought it would be good to get a little feedback from those that read on here. What is it you enjoy about the writer's (or other artistic) groups you belong to? Do you just gather to talk about artistic things, do you have speakers come out, do you critique? What do you thing any group like this should have? Is there anything you don't like or you think is missing from those you have participated in?

For me, the biggest thing is probably the aspect of talking to like-minded people. It is so great to talk to someone who knows what problems you might face, someone who has been there in that very same place. I also enjoy the courses and educational programs, as well as the resources provided. In groups like these, you can be as weird as you like. You can talk about the issues of whether your zombie likes brains or other body parts, what you should name this character's 90 children, which man your romantic lead should go for, whether your vampire should be able to walk in daylight, what trophies your serial killer should keep and whether this weapon is realistic in your murder mystery. You can talk about those things without someone thinking you're nuts. That's the beauty of it. No little white padded wagons will drag you away when everyone else you're talking to sounds just as off as you do. (And if they try, you will surely outnumber them).

In my Pen Women group, we have artists and composers, in addition to writers, but the topics usually come back around to writing, as we make up the majority. It is fascinating, though, to hear about a little something different, yet related. One can empathize with the artist who is having an artistic block, the photographer who can't figure out just what angle she's going for, or the composer who is about to present their work in the hopes of making it big. They may be different forms of art, but they are all artistic expressions, which puts them in the same family.

I would love to be able to pass along advice from all of you concerning what you would be looking for were this group to be forming in your area. I have plenty of opinions, but they are just my opinions. A group is made up of so many different types of people.

Please feel free to share in the comments!

Happy Writing!