I Love To Hate You!

There's nothing like a good villain. Not good as in "morally excellent," but good as in really bad. It's so rewarding to follow the journey of a hero who overcomes the obstacles of a villain we love to hate.

So what makes a good villain?

I'm going to borrow from Jeff Savage and his workshop, "Creating Believable Villains" from LDStorymakers. He said, "The best villains are like the hero if the hero had taken a different path." Now this isn't the only exclusively good thing about a bad villain, but it's something that made me think.

Let's take Darth Vader vs. Emperor Palpatine. I would say on a whole, Emperor Palpatine is more evil, heinous and icky than Darth Vader. If I had to meet up with one of them in a dark alley, I'd pray for Vader. However, Vader is a much better villain. Why? Is it because of the huge marketing potential of black helmets and voice changers. Maybe. But I think it's because we can sympathize with him, and see his motivations. And all through it we know that if he only had taken a different path, he would be the hero.

That makes a really good villain.

One of my very favorite villains is from the show, "Lost." You're never quite sure what side Ben is on, what he's going to do, or how he may react. He ranges from sympathetic to completely evil. I have many others that I could add, but I'd like to hear from you instead. What do you think makes a good villain? Who are your favorite villains in books or movies? Let's get this evil post going!

And on a completely unrelated side note, check out Graham's blog about helping Nashville:

http://onagrahampage.blogspot.com/2010/05/help-nashville-out.html

Yo mothas

A special holla to all my fellow mothas (including sistahs, brothas, teachas, and leadas who motha) out there on this Mother's Day weekend.

Although mothering is often challenging, there is nothing the world can offer that is better than when my oldest son spontaneously puts his arms around my neck and says, "I just love you." Or, when my baby snuggles up to me and burys his face into my cheek.

Sleep in a little, sit and put your feet up, allow yourself to be pampered this weekend. You deserve it!

Pressure!

As I mentioned earlier this week I witnessed and IronMan Race last weekend. Here is what I learned about storytelling at the Finish Line.
Pressure applied in appropriate places makes the story richer. Take a thirty-something mother of 4, who has trained and overcome injury and struggled with inner demons of doubt, and have her decide to swim, bike and run in an Ironman Triathlon.

The 2 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run are individually difficult. Combine them all on one day. Then lets make the swim an open water event with wind and reeds and other natural challenges. Let's set the bike route up one of the steepest hills in Ironman history, and lest we forget the run lets make it a 13 mile circuit that has to be repeated with inclines and ravines to test her.

That's not even the pressure.

Add 2,000 other competitors to get in the way, especially during the swim. And the piece de resistance...elimination time limits, 5 of them.
Now we have the recipe for a really great hero's journey. Will she fight her way through the sea of bodies clamoring to get through the water at the same time she is? YES she makes it, after throwing a few underwater elbows in order to breath. Will she make the first bike check point in time? YES she makes it. But then a recent back injury begins to cause pain with 40 miles still left in the bike and a looming 2nd deadline. Will she make it before the deadline?

Barely. (Shwoo, we were getting really worried.) Now if she can make it through the bike then the Marathon is cake, right? Yep lap one she makes in plenty of time. Looks strong, we are relaxing she will finish...but then on lap 2 at the final turn around she is later and later and later. The man with the broken shoulder who is walking the course wrapped in gauze with blood showing under the bandages has already gone by and our friend is still out there.
The sun goes down and the temperature drops. And then we can't wait any more. We begin to walk backward along the course, hoping that she is the next runner we see, nope. What about the next?

YES. She makes it over the crest of the hill and she's limping, her knee is swelling, but she is walking faster than any normal person would. She smiles...she is going to make it. Back at the finish line with thousands of cheering people all waiting for their runners to appear out of the dark. What is the earliest we can expect to see her? 5 more minutes 10? Wait is that her? YES she is walking but she is fast! And then the announcer proclaims her an IRONMAN and after 140.6 miles and over 15 hours of exertion, she crosses the finish and is caught in the arms of her twin sister.

Without the weighty responsibilities of motherhood to slow her training, the other competitors to get in the way, the time limits to keep her going this is just a story of a woman who is a little crazy. BUT with the pressure we have an inspirational hero. So the story is all about the pressure and the glory is far sweeter. Way to go, Lizz.

The Effect of Creation

I love to create, it gives me such a thrill.  It could be a new skirt, or redecorating a room, or even creating clean clothes (sick as it sounds, sometimes laundry is even fulfilling).  I dabbled in scrapbooking and card making.  I love baking (which is another form of creation).  I love to create.

But I am totally ADD.  I never stay with one form.  Plus I rarely do a project that takes more then a few days.  (I think the reason I didn't stick with scrapbooking--it is never "done".)  Several years ago I made burp rags for the birth of my son (he's almost 9 now).  I was so pleased with my accomlishment that I laid them on the coffee table for days just so I could admire them.

I think this is why writing is hard.  There is no immediate sense of accomplishment.  You can't work for two days and lay your published book on the coffee table to admire.  It takes months and years before you can lay out your efforts for the world to see.  But maybe, just maybe, that is what makes it all the better.

After the months and years you can physically hold that story and your characters in a tangible way.  That beautiful bound book is your creation.  Here's to all of us who are holding on to that dream--may we reach it and hold our own books.  To all of you that can hold your creation--here's to you for putting in the sacrifice.  The world is a better place because of fiction!

(PS Happy Cinco de Mayo)

Book Funk

Its shameful, I know, but I'm in a book funk. I haven't read anything new in some time. But, hooray! My friend loaned me a copy of "Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians". The title is fun, the possibilities are endless and the first chapter doesn't disappoint. The only problem is that I'll have this book read by dinner time, it being intended more for children than adults. Any other suggestions? I'm heading to Barnes and Noble tonight...

Um, Awkward!

Have you ever suffered from an uncomfortable conversational moment? That instant when you suddenly realize all eyes are on you and that you've crossed the invisible line from normal conversation into awkward?

Yeah, happens to me all the time.

Sometimes the faux pas is your fault. Sometimes it's not. In my opinion, it's not who throws the net of social blunder, but how one escapes after being caught. Are you a laugher? Do you shout out, "Awkward." Do you walk away, change the topic, or have a witty comeback?

Most of the time your reaction depends on the situation. Here are three conversational blunders to be aware of:

The Misunderstanding: Perhaps you are only partly listening. Or you may be listening intently and the person isn't completely clear. Either way, The Misunderstanding can cause serious foot in mouth.

Person 1: Life's been so stressful lately I can hardly bear it all!

Person 2: Yeah, I've got a great story about baring it all. It happened last summer in Cancun..

The Last Word: When a conversation topic is winding to a close and you speak last. A lengthy pause ensues.

Person 1: I think we're all in agreement that the scarecrow is the best character in "The Wizard of Oz."

Person 2: Yep. "If I only had a brain..."

...crickets chirping.

The Inappropriate Laugh: A person shares a thought that you think is a joke and you laugh only to realize that he/she was serious.

Person 1: My mom totally needs brain surgery.

Person 2: Ha ha ha, yeah mine too. Speaking of which, how was your mom's doctor appointment yesterday?

Let's hear your stories. Or solutions. Either way, I'm in need of a good laugh today.

Happy Town

As stated before, I am not a big fan of the current crop of TV dramas, because most of them are so glaringly awful. There is really only one I watch with enthusiasm, although my hubby and I are giving V a try in spite of itself. Since I have vowed not to mention my fave here again until the series finale at the end of this month I'll just say it's a four-letter word that starts with an "L" and ends with a "T".

With my fave show coming to an end, I was intrigued by the promos for a new series on ABC called Happy Town. It evoked memories of Twin Peaks, a favorite from my younger years (okay, confession time - I was an official member of the Twin Peaks fan club and still have in my possession somewhere a Twin Peaks coffee mug).

Hubby and I recorded the premiere episode this week, as we do all our TV programming - to view after the little critters are in bed, and watched it last night. Here is a plot summary from ABC Publicity:

Henley Boone has decided to take up residence in seemingly idyllic Haplin, just as a shocking murder occurs at the local pond. This horrific crime rekindles Happy Town's dark mysteries, including the whispers about an unknown, evil force that has come to be known as the "Magic Man," who may be responsible for the past disappearances of Haplin residents. Tommy Conroy, a small town deputy and son of the long-time popular sheriff, must help solve the crime while easing the town's growing fears. This is made more difficult when it becomes obvious that the residents are hiding secrets, and that includes its newest resident, Henley.

Sounds pretty good, huh? Too bad it WASN'T. Crippled by a major info dump issue with the script (I understand in a TV pilot you have a short time to give viewers the gist of the story in order to hook them, but geeze, it was like the characters were competing in a "Can you tell this town's backstory in ten seconds or less?" contest in almost every scene), painful dialogue, and weirdness for the sake of weirdness. I stopped counting every time I groaned aloud.

Still, there were a couple redeeming things. Sam Neill, an actor I usually enjoy, made his character just the right degree of intriguing, although it's obvious they're setting him up to be the lead suspect as The Magic Man. There weren't many false notes in his scenes. I also like Steven Weber, who plays the rich owner of the town's major employer, a bread-making factory. His eight-year-old daughter is one of the missing people.

The final five minutes may be enough to give me the strength to watch a second episode. But, like Flashforward, if it doesn't improve dramatically (pun itended) and real quick, I'm headed outta town.