If your most intense experience...

[Jonathan]

...is an epiphany about your story, or a momentary, metaphysical connection to one of your characters where you're just sure you know what it's like to "be them"...

Then, my god, you're not a real writer.

If your characters are vehicles for experiencing emotions you can't or don't or never have in real life, then, my god, you're not a real writer.

You're wishcasting. You're hoping to someday feel a thing you're incapable of feeling. Or incapable of finding the words to express a thing you can't yet express. Or, really, just incapable of recognizing the inexpressable.

And if you can afford to waste the time and energy expressing your connection to those characters, then, my god, you're not a real writer.

Characters are so much more than characters, and if you let yourself think that knowing a character actually means knowing something, then you're just lost.

You might sell a vacant script, but in the end you're still lost. Because characters, even the best, are hollow, shallow, insufficient expressions of our rawest emotions. Talking about them as if you understand them doesn't help you understand them, or anyone, at all.

We all have emotions. But we don't all possess the ability to express them meaningfully. And, more than that, a real writer isn't some gifted soul who can find words for the seemingly inexpressable; he's merely one who can't bear the thought of not trying, even though he's resigned from the very beginning to the fact that he will fail -- every single fucking time -- and never really understand anything at all.

The idea of some kind of holy communion with a character is a myth, and if you think it's something more, then you're delusional. Such a feeling pales in comparison to even the simplest sadness experienced by the simplest human being you can dream up in your storytelling head. We are unknowable and inexplicable. To someone, a dead ladybug is the end of the world. And that's a thing you can never, ever put on paper, and something no one can ever put on film. Meaningfully.

We try, but we fail. There's value in failing, but don't mistake effort for understanding.

And, E.C., I'm sorry, but you're a terrible speller. Seriously. Awful. You would probably hyphenate your own mother. If you're going to write and post so much with the attitude and authoritative verve you do, please, check your spelling.

Sorry, got on a roll.

www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2558138195115442295&postID=1099668634461942932

[outofcontext]

Okay Jonathon, I agree with a lot that you say and your spelling and syntax is impeccable.
Your tone bothered me. I think in some ways you are the same as E.C. in the same way you can't have a two-sided coin.
I cringe when anybody, in any context, talks about what a 'real' writer is. Frankly, that is more a waste of time than talking about 'connections to a character'.
Writing is playing, serious or otherwise, for me. I live through the characters in the same way I live through a dream, night dream or daydream. I know I'm dreaming but there is a certain reality at play.
I agree with you about never knowing anything or anyone really. That's why when I read about realism in art I laugh. Art is not real. Human society, if you want to go far enough, is not real. On the other hand, it is an agreed upon reality that makes this world go round. I've accepted that and it makes life more fun.
What I'm saying here is that you undermine your argument a bit by playing into a created dichotomy of what a real writer and pretender is. That's okay. Just don't lay down your law and say it's the one true law. And don't treat E. C. the way you feel he treats his characters.
I do agree about the spelling, E.C. old boy. Just about everywhere you write on a computer, it comes up red when you do a typo. Somewhere around here is a link to a John August speech on professionalism that is absolutely fantastic. I love your enthusiasm, but you might do wise, even on the board, to focus on quality a little more than quantity.
Jonathan, I did like your 'hyphenate your mother' line. It made me laugh even though I don't know exactly what it means and I felt a little bad for the harshness it expressed towards your subject.

[mscherer]

Jonathon,

Don’t know what triggered your post, however you did bring up an interesting issue I could not resist addressing.

Characters are so much more than characters, and if you let yourself think that knowing a character actually means knowing something, then you're just lost.

Why do people go to see a film in the first place? For me, and I can only speak for myself, it is to experience something I haven’t or rarely experience in my everyday life. And how do I get involved with the story – how can I FEEL what it is like to be that character on the screen? I understand that character. I understand how I would feel if I were that character or in that character’s situation. In order to transmit that to the audience, through the actor, a writer better damn well know/understand his characters.

You state ‘Characters are so much more than characters...’ You are correct. The characters we create better be complex and deep and intriguing. You then go on to say: ‘..., and if you let yourself think that knowing a character actually means knowing something...’. This begs the question. How else can you write complex and deep and intriguing characters if you DON’T know them? And by default, if you know your characters very, very well, then you know something. You know something about that character. You know something about that character’s situation. You know how YOU would react if you were that character. And all of us put a little of ourselves into each and every character. So, if you know something about yourself – and I sure hope you do – then you DO know something about your character.

By the way.... you misspelled inexpressible (inexpressable) ;-)

Keep Writing!

[Jeff Messerman]

Hi folks,

Soapbox all you want here in the general section, that's what it's for, but I would please ask you all to refrain from any personal attacks on anyone. We're here to build folks up, not knock 'em down.

If you're in the mood to trash someone, TriggerStreet.com is always accepting applications! ;D

Jeff

[echenry]

... cuz Jeff seez so, and you make-a-me

What are we like in pre-school, where the teacher has to intervene and make peace between the kids?

Dude, in all honesty, this post should have been made as a comment in Scott Myers "Go Into the Story" blogspot, as that's where I made the comments you're referencing.

BUT, rip me apart or not. I still (heart sign) ya!

Dude, don't take ALL THIS so seriously. Try to have some fun. Get to know people. Be friendly...

E.C. Henry from a place you should know by now

[trellicktower]

Now there is a man who can handle criticism. Nice one E.C. from wherever it is you are!

[outofcontext]

mscherer--good catch on inexpressible--I withdraw my compliment on Jonathan's spelling and also apologize for spelling Jonathan's name wrong.
I also want to clarify about E.C.'s spelling. Express yourself as you like, E.C., I just think it's harder to be taken credibly if it appears you don't care about things like spelling. Your response was RIGHT-ON, if I may capitalize and hyphenate in support.