 Drama: December 18, 2013 Issue [#6053] |
  Drama
This week: Revisiting Old Friends Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Watching an old TV series or opening the pages of an old novel feels like meeting up with a friend you lost touch with. If you're lucky, anyway. Sometimes the memories are better than the reality, and sometimes people just change...
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about reconnecting with old series.
kittiara
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I don't know if it's the time of year or a sentimental streak in me, but lately I've been revisiting some old friends. Not the flesh and blood kind, mind you, because I'm not into the idea of Facebook “stalking” - instead, I've been watching some TV series that I used to enjoy when I was younger.
This trip down memory lane was not without its obstacles. I tried an episode or two of ALF and couldn't remember why it appealed to me. I had the same experience with Married with Children. As with real friends, the fond memories can be better than the reality... or perhaps it's simply the case that I have changed.
After overcoming my aversion to canned laughter – I'd forgotten how often that was used on older comedy shows – I settled into watching Full House. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the show, the story revolves around a man who's just lost his beloved wife. His best friend and his brother in law move in to help him raise his three daughters. Over the years, the viewer follows all their ups and downs, and watches the children grow up. By the end of it, you almost feel like you're part of the family, because you know them so well.
When I finished catching up with the Tanners, as the family's called, I decided revisit Friends, and I am now halfway through the third season. I don't think I need to explain that show because even today it's pretty difficult to avoid. The appeal is similar to that of Full House, in that you get to know the characters, feel you can relate to them, and get the enjoyment of watching the developments of their friendships and other relationships over time.
The involvement a viewer feels with these on-screen characters is akin to the involvement a reader feels with written characters whose adventures stretch over several novels. I remember waiting for the next Harry Potter novel, for example, because I was excited to discover what happened next. Right now, I am awaiting the next installment of A Song of Ice and Fire.
The author of a series has to be aware of the attachment that develops between his (or her) readers and his characters. When writing the first novel, the author/character relationship is an exclusive one, but as soon as it's out there and his characters are embraced by others, his decisions suddenly carry a far greater weight.
That's not to say that he should allow external pressure to dictate what happens to his creations. That's stepping into Stephen King's Misery territory, and apart from being rather daunting, it could do all sorts of damage to the quality of a tale. Readers of A Song of Ice and Fire are all too aware that no character is safe in George R. R. Martin's hands, and they just have to accept this. With every novel, it's always a relief if treasured characters survive until the end. Not every author is as bloodthirsty as Martin, of course, but even those whose characters generally fare better sometimes have to make some tough choices in the knowledge that upset will be caused, and that you can never, ever please everyone.
I have mentioned before in my newsletters that writing is a balancing act, and that is certainly the case when writing series. To keep an audience engaged over the years, there have to be ups as well as downs, happiness as well as hardship, laughter as well as tears. The risk of alienating readers is ever present, as there are certain expectations surrounding characters who have become friends, and remaining consistent whilst at the same time ensuring character development takes great skill.
If you succeed, though, it's genuinely rewarding. You'll be one of those authors who people turn to on a cold and rainy autumn night, to rekindle their old friendships with your creations. And new friendships will be established when novels are passed on to the next generation of readers. To write characters that withstand the test of time is one of the joys of a good author. I can't wait to meet more of those in the future.
In the meanwhile, I wish you a very happy holiday season, whilst I snuggle back into my blanket and watch some Friends.
kittiara
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Here are some of the latest additions to the Drama Genre:
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And, in line with the editorial, here are some of my old friends:
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The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
Marci Missing Everyone  - Thank you for featuring The 12 Days of Christmas contest in your newsletter!
You're very welcome!
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LJB - I agree about winning combinations. Although I like both John Grisham and Lee Child, I tired of the same old thing long before the end of the series. Grisham was however able to hold his own very well when he explored pushed the envelope and walked a different course, while Lee Child was so stuck on the superhuman war hero, he found it quite difficult to explore another character. Doesn't a hero ever get too old to take on six guys at one time and walk away? I have several authors whom I enjoy very much because they have gone where no man has gone before withing their genres and succeeded. I read their books over and over, because I always discover something different each time I read them. Very few writers will ever be able to accomplish a winning combination once in their careers, let alone keep their readers coming back for more over a 10+ year span.
You ask a good question there, about the superhuman war hero character. I agree that even a hero sooner or later gets too old to do that. Characters have to evolve, and find different strengths over time.
One author who's still keeping me interested after many years is Terry Pratchett. I can reread his Discworld novels over and over, and, like you say, discover something different each time. His writing has evolved throughout the series. His last few books have been more serious. His style has altered somewhat as well, and I reckon that's partly to do with the fact that, sadly, he's suffering from Alzheimer's and he can no longer type - he has to use some kind of voice software. He remains a fantastic writer, though.
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Quick-Quill  - Am I odd? I don't have a formula. How do you do that? My first novel was a Murder story based on fact. Second was a paranormal, third a Thriller, fourth, drama. I write about stories that interest me, I'm not the rut type of writer when it comes to plot. I'd love to find a formula thats a winner.... Suggestions?
If I had a winning formula, I would be using it right now  . I'm like you - I write whatever comes to mind and what I am interested in at the time. Of the novels I have written, one's a supernatural romance with a psychological dark edge to it and the other one's a political thriller. My stories vary from comedy to horror and my poetry from angsty pieces to the plain bizarre. So, no suggestions from me, I'm afraid, but I actually think you're on to a good thing. Your readers will never grow bored!
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Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team
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