Shouts From Down Under

Sorry for the INTIMIDATION...

Intimidation could be defined as one method of motivation, one avenue of causing circumstances / reactions, and human behavior, to change. I'm of the view that intimidation isn't pleasant, whichever way you look at it, being the receiver or...giver...transmitter...instigator...victim...thug...nasty sod.

The thought of writing a novel, a short story, a poem, even a paragraph,can sometimes be intimidating. We could deflect this negative force and turn it into our motivating strength. We could change the order of what intimidation does so that instead of preventing us, it kicks our butts, pushing us to get things organized, to be methodical, to extend our limits, go further and profit our readers. Do we own readers? I'm not sure people would take kindly to that idea. Maybe it's not such a stretch to say that if the characters in our stories are engaging enough and the subject matter pulls the reader into the narrative web then in that sense it owns them, insisting on control. Intimidating them? Surely, certainly that is something to aim for.

Writers seem to agree on one thing. We are a weird, strange, unpredictable bunch with deep, often untapped reserves of...predatory intimidation. If that isn't the case, why then are we so keen on exercising control of our readers even if it is by proxy through our characters, and pining for their global sized praise, acting as a willing sponge for fame? (cough or money cough)



The intimidating weather in Tasmania has been consistently cold recently - to be expected, yes. But I've felt the cold more lately - must be getting old. So, I've taken to wearing a jacket left behind by our eldest son when he moved to Queensland. ("Won't need that where I'm goin'")

I've never worn a hoodie before. I've found it very good against the cold, with its thick layers of padding. It even keeps some rain off although I wouldn't depend on for a proper raincoat. It's fantastic to walk in the freezing wind and spitting rain for a while and still be toasty. I get back muscle cramps if cold.

But, something surprised me wearing this apparel. The reactions from some people on the street. What is it with that? Why am I so surprised? Well, because it's me in the hoodie wearing shoes now, so to speak. It's me who is "skulking along", obviously a tattooed delinquent with a concealed Glock, about to front a bank teller or corner store owner and demand cash.
Or perhaps they think I must be a mugger. Better walk a bit faster and keep out of the shadows, hand on your mobile phone. Ring Dad or Mum or the flat mate.

Yes, by wearing a hoodie I became an intimidating person automatically. Now I realize that this is how I reacted too sometimes. Perhaps I've grown used to seeing them, hoodies, and in Tasmania there is a good reason to wear them often.

This set me thinking. Sometimes, just by using specific descriptors or hints, a bit of atmosphere in the setting, some well chosen dialogue and reaction, some body language and a sprinkling of isolating factors, and what do you have? Whatever the subject matter involves, what you have is a creepiness factor, a waft of danger, expectation of physical assault. What you have held a match to, is a tinder dry wood pile of fear. Your reader does the rest. They stoke it with every little twig of extras you conveniently place at their eye level.

STRAIGHT TO THEIR HEADS.




Utilising Intimidation as a toolbox option for better writing.

http://www.springhole.net/writing/write_better_villains.htm#do-something-despica...

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/intimidate

verb (used with object), intimidated, intimidating.

1. to make timid; fill with fear.

2. to overawe or cow, as through the force of personality or by superior display of wealth, talent, etc.

3. to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear:
to intimidate a voter into staying away from the polls.


INTIMIDATION? WELL? YOU'D BETTER TELL ME WHAT OTHER WORDS MEAN THIS HUH, OR ELSE. OUT WITH IT OR I'LL...
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/intimidate?s=t


HOODIES

a particular group of juvenile gang members who, when they were about to “beat down” a rival, immediately pulled their hoods up over their heads.

http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/hoodies-intimate-or-intimidating-apparel/

How to intimidate people in life's journey, conveniently - for the gentle bully. (Language warning) I don't advocate, recommend, or endorse this article. Read and be influenced at your own risk. Got it?

http://www.vice.com/read/how-to-intimidate-people-293

Small things can be so intimidating. Mice. Snakes. Thinking too much. The sky. People being silent. Words. Letters making up certain words.

2 x Bonus (Intimidating history / situation?) story prompts.

100' fishing boat with no information on condition, no paperwork, no anything. Oh, and you'll need to be able to read Asian text - ie, the labels on everything.
http://www.pickles.com.au/general/item/-/details/Unknown/3040038194

Toyota mobile home. Some minor damage.
http://www.pickles.com.au/general/item/-/details/02-02--Toyota/3040038028

Sparky