One of the things I am really good at is
writing dialogue. I don't often get to toot my own horn, so I'm going to go
ahead and do it today.
Many people have told
me that I write really realistic and funny conversations between my characters.
Now, I'm not so good at other things, such as describing the scene, filling
characters' thoughts with emotional responses, or describing action, so I've been
thinking that maybe I should divert my efforts to writing screenplays instead
of novels.
But, while
I'm contemplating a major shift in my career aspirations, I'm going to
make a pathetic confession: My favorite night of the week is Thursday
night. Want to know why? It's because Thursdays are when new episodes of The
Big Bang Theory, The Office, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, and hopefully
soon, Community come out. And, I can watch Modern
Family on hulu before the fun starts at 8 pm.
Isn't it sad that my life
seems to revolve around these TV shows?
Well, first of all, it
doesn't. I don't actually watch much TV besides this, so I think it's okay to
indulge myself once a week. And secondly, these shows are so well-written and
funny that I really look to them as inspiration in my own writing. I write good
dialogue because I've grown up watching smart TV.
Every author has a
list of his or her influences, and mine just happens to include funny TV shows.
Obviously, not exclusively, but still. Arrested Development, The
Simpsons, and Gilmore Girls are also brilliant
contributors to my genius.
I feel like my life is
just a little sad by admitting this. But let me give you an example:
"Stale pastry is hallow succor to a man
who is bereft of ostrich."
--The Big Bang Theory
Hilarious, right?
Anyway, that's my thought for the day.
And to my mom, and all
other like-minded English teachers who bemoan the loss of culture in
the younger generations: Cheer up. Culture is just shifting. I agree it's sad
that people don't read the classics (or any books, for that matter) as much as
they used to, but the human spirit will always need a creative outlet, an
escape from everyday life. Culture isn't disappearing: it's just shifting.
For better or worse, I guess that remains to be seen.
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