Monday night my sweet hubby took me to see the musical Xanadu. I was so excited until I realized that its a spoof. Then I read the program. It made me question my taste:
"Fans of the 1980 movie Xanadu, (all ten of you) and haters (many, many of you) . . ."
I was feeling rather embarrassed. (Now truth be told, its been at least 10 years since I've seen it and I think I was a little disheartened when I did see it.) I wish I had known going into it that it was a spoof. I would have enjoyed it from the beginning.
Now, that was a really long intro to get to the meat of what I want to say to you. Again I quote the handbill:
When ...Xanadu...opened to disastrous reviews and low box office performance, it sent shock waves through Hollywood. How could Hollywood's hottest star, a magical roller derby, Greek muses, pop music, Zeus, and disco skating go wrong?
As a writer's group we've discussed this very problem: Cramming too many cool things into one plot. Sometimes the idea factory gets going and we have all these AMAZING ideas. But then our plot starts to look like a Xanadu disaster with roller skates and shockingly short shorts. (Quick side note: we saw this in a small theatre and had front row seats, which meant that I leaned back when the dancers kicked. I was at eye level with Sonny Malone's thighs much of the night. Way too much hairy skin for my taste.)
So, avoid being a Hollywood disaster and write down those cool ideas and use just a few for each plot. This way you'll never run out of story ideas.
Happy Writing.
PS I am listening to the original Olivia/ELO soundtrack as I type this. Sometimes music transcends crappy story-telling.
Ah yes been there. Too many ideas too little glue to hold them together. It is a difficult and important lesson. Thanks for sharing DJ!
ReplyDeleteI was going to be xanadu when I grew up, too. Then I watched the movie again a few years ago and wondered what I was thinking!
ReplyDeleteI don't want to write a story that makes people feel like, "what was I thinking, reading this lame book?"
so, thanks for the advice :)
I missed out on the Xanadu experience, although I've picked up on the allusions over the years.
ReplyDeleteDJ, do not be ashamed. My name is Linda, and I also love Xanadu. You make a good point about too much in the plot, but on the other hand, if a film is remembered fondly enough by the masses over 30 years later to inspire a Broadway play and even to be spoofed, that says a lot, right? The soundtrack is what makes it for me. "Whenever You're Away from Me" is my fave song. :)
ReplyDeleteFunny post!
ReplyDelete