  Drama
This week: Drama of the Rich and Famous Edited by: NaNoKit  
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From biographies to fiction, the lives of the rich and famous can be filled with ups and downs.
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about celebrities.
kittiara |
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When reflecting on the Drama novels I have read over the last years, I realised that most include poverty and deprivation. There is a rising trend, however, of novels about celebrities, the rich and famous. This trend, perhaps, goes hand in hand with an interest in gossip magazines informing their readers, as much as possible, about every detail of celebrities' lives. I don't read those publications, but it's difficult to escape headlines about who has been spotted with cellulite, and who might have gained or lost an ounce of weight.
Thinking about the lives of celebrities, one thing I know for certain – I would not want to be famous. I would not want to be harassed by the paparazzi, run the risk of crazy fans showing up wherever I go, or have them camp out on my doorstep. I would not enjoy the inevitable threats, and stalkers, and having to go around with a security team because of these. Some say that that's the price of fame, but in my opinion the price is too high. Everyone should be entitled to have a bad hair day and to not have the evidence plastered all over the media for people to laugh at.
That said, I admit to reading a biography or two. In a previous newsletter, I mentioned Feel by Chris Heath. Chris Heath spent nearly two years living with, touring with and working with artist Robbie Williams. The result of this closeness is a frank, insightful account of the life of a global superstar. The life in question is full of ups and downs, with joys and accomplishments, loneliness, being on the right side of a battle with addiction, and bizarre situations that I could never imagine finding myself in. It's a fascinating read that was rightfully lauded by critics.
One biography that's on my list of things to read is Reckless Road by Marc Canter. I'm sort of holding out for a signed copy. Yes, Marc, that is a hint. Canter was right there during the early days of Guns N' Roses, and detailed the turbulent years of 1985 – 1987 in his biography. Such a first-hand account will always be a must-read for those who enjoy a band and would like to gain the type of insight that tends to be elusive.
Drama featuring the rich and famous does not end at the publication of biographies. Some romance novel authors are tapping into the desire to catch a glimpse of such a different lifestyle. In Johnny be Good, and its sequel Baby be Mine, Paige Toon writes about Meg, a young woman who becomes a PA for the hottest rock star around. Readers are invited into a world of glamorous clothes, fancy apartments, celebrity-filled parties, but also, of course, the downsides of living fast and furious.
The problem for authors of these novels is that, unless they are rich and famous themselves, they, like the reader, are on the outside looking in. All they can do is imagine what it is to be a musician, or an actor, or a business tycoon. They have never experienced the burdens of success, the particular difficulties in finding romance that come with that success, and what being in this position can do to a person.
There is source material, such as biographies, and even autobiographies. A couple of other books on my to-read list are It's So Easy (and other lies), and How to Be a Man (And Other Illusions) by Duff McKagan. It is good to keep in mind, however, that not all biographies are reliable. Some artists use ghost-writers, and there is always the likelihood of self-censorship, whether intentional, for good reason, or unintentional.
The media needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Some people believe that if something is printed in a newspaper, it must be true, otherwise they wouldn't be allowed to print it. Unfortunately, that is not the case. It's not uncommon for the media to publish something, only for them to later place a tiny correction in some difficult-to-spot corner. And that is when the artist bothers to challenge the story – some give up after a while, and others find themselves in a position where if they challenge a story, they may draw more attention to themselves, when really, they just want it all to go away.
This does leave an author with their imagination as the best tool available. Thankfully, there is always some leeway with fictional characters. My advice to those wishing to explore this sub-genre is to be original, be creative, and try to explore the interests of your target audience. Do they care about fancy dresses and glamorous parties? Do they want to read about someone struggling with their fame? Or do they want to read about someone who, despite finding themselves in that world, remains balanced and down-to-earth? Such celebrities do exist, after all.
kittiara
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Here are some of the latest additions to the Drama genre:
| |  | Beyond (E)
A prisoner is yearning for forgiveness and freedom
#2058070 by Spacey  |
| | | Dr. Death (18+)
Struggle of addiction and a different way of HOW the addiction began....
#2058260 by Jen~  |
| | | Dichotomy (13+)
Shayna remembered the best and worst of her life. Always with Chris. (2 Editor's Picks)
#2058098 by BScholl  |
| | | The Note (E)
We need to feel, so that we know we are alive, and we need to experience so we can grow.
#2057745 by Debbie Lyn Jones |
A couple of contests that might be of interest:
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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! 
speidoman  - Thanks for the informative newsletter about people with disabilities, Kittiara. I have two disabilities: paranoid schizophrenia and arthritis of the spine. Both are equally debilitating and painful in their own way. I would like to write for the "normal" people about my disabilities. I have kept a diary since 1981, when I felt compelled to write. I have transcribed my notes and the ensuing book is over 300 pages long! I am not sure who would want to read it or who would be my publisher but I would like to move forward on producing a book. Oh yeah and I just graduated from university with a bachelor's degree in technical writing at 54.
First of all, congratulations on your degree! I hope to join you in a couple of years, holding that piece of paper.
I definitely believe that your book is something to pursue. Such a detailed account, spanning back decades, has to be quite rare and will be a very insightful read.
~~~
Quick-Quill  - I agree with you. However it's hard to focus on a handicapped MC without sounding patronizing. I loved Ironside. There is a way to do it but its not an easy task.
I agree that it is not an easy task. I reckon the best way to go about it is to treat a character with disabilities in the same way that one treats other characters. Every character has different aspects to them that can help or hinder them in life. The disability doesn't even have to be the focus of attention. There can be, for example, a character who happens to be in a wheelchair, but their contribution to the novel rests in their personality, their interaction with other characters, and so on.
~~~
Mia - craving colour - Hi Kittiara. What a thoughtful article. It does call one to consider another kind of character to add the predominant collection. Thank you for taking the time to reflect on those not well represented in literature.
Thank you very much for your kind words.
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team |
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Drama: September 23, 2015 Issue [#7229]
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