Who do you write for? When you sit down and scribble or tap, who is your inspiration? Not that it matters really, there is no write answer (as it were), I’m just curious.
I used to think writing was just and noble, but it didn’t take me long to realize that, for me, writing is an addiction. Hearing kids giggle is my perfect drug, a powerful and addictive intoxicant with few negative side effects. The worst of which being the one where I measure my writing against everyone else’s in the entire world… everyone’s… everywhere. I can’t stop.
My wife hears it all. I’ve become a walking critique machine without a power button… don’t need one… the power is always on, good, bad, indifferent, it doesn’t matter; I’m spewing opinions. And I don’t leave it at a simple “good” or “bad”. My critiques are longwinded diatribes, “This stupid serial killer serial has become so serial, I think I'm gonna kill someone,” I might yell, followed by, “this is the silliest premise I’ve ever heard… the people of the United States are way too safety obsessed to allow their teenagers to fight to the death… not without your bike helmet and elbow pads Katniss! And for God’s sakes take the Purell or you’ll get a nasty infection,”—and then—“Damn, a futuristic Count of Monte Cristo… why didn’t I think of that? I could make him gelatinous with the ability to transfigure--ate.”
All this, just to hear a kid giggle; the more I think about it, the more I think Monster’s Inc. got it right. Why didn’t I think of that?
Munk's opening line:
Yeah. I was worried—worried for the bare nekkid mole rats.
Munk's "Opening Line" is yours to keep, use it. Munk.
This week's music: Randy Newman, If I Didn't have You...
17 Comments on Drink Up, last added: 10/12/2011
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I always relate to you.
I write to keep my identity, to stay mentally limber, because it's going to be some time before I begin to write my second book because of the research to come.
Writing for giggling kids is pretty good work if you can get it. I still mostly write for myself. At the end of the day that's all you got sometimes.
Bliss reading, Munk. I like.
Disney seeing that they made TONS of money having re-released the 3D version of the Lion King has been emboldened by their success. They plan to re-release all of their titles in 3D to milk the heck out of their backlog of hundreds of movies. So you will have many other chances to giggle (as it were) only this time, it will be in 3D where you can see the movie you've already memorized for an even greater price!
And if you like Monsters, Inc's story just copy it. Everyone else does it. Example...replace "monster" with some other childhood thing. I'm just going to grab fairies for example. So now your story is a mid-grade book about fairies who work in a factory somewhere who's responsibilities are delegated by a supervisor. There's the tooth fairy (for example) and a place where all the fairy's need to work out because (let's face it) there are no fat fairies. Bam...you got your story.
Disney seeing that they made TONS of money having re-released the 3D version of the Lion King has been emboldened by their success. They plan to re-release all of their titles in 3D to milk the heck out of their backlog of hundreds of movies. So you will have many other chances to giggle (as it were) only this time, it will be in 3D where you can see the movie you've already memorized for an even greater price!
Being a lifelong Disney fanatic (When I was a tyke, my parents and I went to Walt Disney World every weekend, and sometimes during the week just for dinner), they've got my cash. The 3D rain effects during the Pride Rock restoration at the end were so impressive that it almost felt like you were going to get caught up in it. That is the pinnacle of 3D thus far, and I'm hoping for the best for the "Be Our Guest" number in "Beauty and the Beast" and the climactic doors sequence in "Monsters, Inc."
If these next runs are successful, I'm hoping that Disney converts "Treasure Planet" into 3D despite its failure in its original release and on home video. The galaxy scenery would look stunning in 3D as well as the computer-animated ships and cyborg Long John Silver. Plus, it may work better in that format.
@dbs-fist bump
@R-flex it
@LG-make yourself proud
@S-bliss bump
@MO-3D movies sort of makes me queasy and give me a head ache. Great story BTW.
Can't lose by writing to giggling kids. They get it and are usually free with their genuine appreciation.
I need more one-eyed monsters in my life.
3D is supposed to mimic real life though Munk. Does that mean that you get queasy and a headache from real life? Something inside me says, "yes".
@Rory-Disney World EVERY WEEKEND! Doh. You must shed glitter.
@DKW-I'm giggling now, for no reason I can tell.
@BR-interesting need.
@MO- Funny. I think the operable word here is "mimic". Life does not queasy make. Push-up contest! Go!
I think I write for me first. Then I hope that translates to others enjoying too. But if I don't like I have no desire to go any further.
Great eternal questions...well I suppose writing is a paradox...we write for our selves, but we also write for everyone. I try to write for my wife:)
@Rory-Disney World EVERY WEEKEND! Doh. You must shed glitter.
No, but it did set me on a course to becoming a writer, which I didn't know at the time. Andy Rooney sealed it for me when I watched his commentaries on TV when I was 11 and amazed that anything was fodder for writing, including pens, newspapers (reading them), and woodworking.
Definitely write my MG for the kids. My own kids, in particular, because I read to them and I know what they'll like! But my YA ... I think I write that for the 16yo me inside that wanted to read these stories then...and still do.
Unfortunately I don't have any kids around to giggle, but I have to admit it is a wonderful sound. I write for me. I've written for big corporate weasels for decades. Now it's my turn to giggle.
Love those bare nekkid mole rats. So ugly and yet..so ugly.
I babble semi-nonsensically too when I'm reading.