Shhhhhhh?

Something I think is considered universally annoying is when you go to a movie theater and someone sitting near you does a running commentary throughout the movie.

However, it occurred to me as I was watching a movie rental recently and as I was watching some TV shows this week that I am guilty of routinely doing that at home. Not content to sit and merely view the entertainment before me, I speak out, sometimes even scream out - chastising characters, complimenting performances, or booing results.

As stated in previous blogs, I do not watch many hour dramas on TV (I can't talk about the Lost finale yet. I'm still recovering, in more ways than one.). So, most of the time my commentary is directed at "reality" fare such as Survivor or American Idol, a format that is much easier to interrupt and still follow what is going on. My TV watching partner, the hubby, doesn't seem to mind my outbursts and adds his own more occasionally.

In fact, I see our mutual commentary as a bonding ritual and an enhancement to our entertainment, if you will. That's a good thing, right? A couple of examples from this week's American Idol finale:

Hubby: I never liked Hall and Oates and I reallllly don't like them 30 years later.

Me: This is painfully embarassing (covering eyes). Make her stop. Make her stop! (During Paula Abdul's monologue)

Rest assured, I have never exhibited this behavior in a public venue. However, I understand why I instantly liked Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Good vs. Evil

I've got the classic plot of good vs. evil on the mind, for a couple of reasons. I just finished reading Dan Wells' I Am Not a Serial Killer, which lived up to the billing on its book jacket and was a "sickly disturbing, darkly-comic thriller." It is very well-written (or should I say Wells-written?) and I woke up still thinking about it this morning. Without giving details away, it was a good reminder that the battle of good vs. evil takes place within all of us, and it can be a struggle to keep the balance.

Another reason I've been pondering this is, Lost returns for its final season next week. (Sorry to bring up Lost again, but if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a little obsessed by it. I promise not to discuss it here after today...or at least until the final episode airs.) ***Spoiler alert, if you haven't seen season five of Lost*** But, in last season's finale we met the oft-referenced Jacob (white shirt), who, up to that point, had been perceived as evil, and were introduced to a gentleman who is apparently his rival (black shirt), both fighting for control of the island. We learned that black shirt took possession of the deceased body of the noble, but odd, John Locke, leading us to wonder who the "good guy" in this scenario really is, and how their battle will affect the lives and destinies of our favorite Losties.

I love the good vs. evil plot, especially when a writer manages to make it not too straightforward and predictable. I've had an idea for a novel brewing in my head for a long time that uses this plot, with the angle of how we can be our own worst enemies. Reading I Am Not a Serial Killer has inspired me to move forward with it after I finish my current project. If anyone has recommendations of well-written, or lame, books of this nature, please share.

Flashbacks

In the novel I'm working on, the main character revisits her childhood through a series of flashbacks (a concept which is not incredibly orginal, I know), that are meant to give the reader insight into the conflict in the story.

Dealing with time shifts is not easy. I keep changing my mind about how often I should incorporate it into the story, and in what way. It makes me appreciate even more, work that I have admired which handles time shifts well. I have always liked time shifts in stories, but it can be frustrating to the reader/viewer if it's not done well.

Right now, the television show Lost is on my mind because I love character driven stories and the flashbacks of the main characters' lives before the plane crash are usually my favorite parts of the episodes. I love to know how life events from the past contribute to shaping people into who they are today.

Please help me out and share examples of work have you admired, or not admired in its handling of flashbacks?