…ever watched ‘Misery,’ the movie based on the old Stephen King book?
If you have, you probably well remember that scene where Kathy Bates is standing over James Caan with a hammer in her hands.
She might be his No.1 fan, but he’s not leaving until he writes her the book she wants to read.
After Sunday night’s episode of Game Of Thrones, I’m sure there are a few people that would love to do that to the writers who drove the show off the cliff.
Filled with plot holes (that a dragon could easily ride through), characters forgotten, or who go completely off character for no explainable reason, it’s no wonder it’s left a rotten taste in a lot of people’s mouths…..my own included.
That’s one thing they never tell you at fiction school.
Do it properly, and your work can take on a life of it’s own. Not only can it outlive you, but if you’ve got fans attached, it can get heavy when you take it in the wrong direction.
It’s not your work any more….it’s theirs.
Case in point.
A few years back in my old Minecraft writing days, I killed off one of the main characters, I was influenced by JRR Martin at the time, which didn’t go down too well.
If it wasn’t tears in the book reviews, it was ‘I’ll never read any more of your books ever again!’
And that’s what happens when you get good at character creation. When you do, not only do your characters come to life, but it can feel like a family member is going through all the ordeals your favorite character is going through.
I so, so, wish the guys over at Game Of Thrones had my course on character building.
But alas, that’s too late.
But….if you’re willing to take the risk of one day being hobbled in your bed by a crazed fan….go here.
PS – Now I’m off to track down that light Will Smith had in Men In Black and have my memory erased.
