I don't pull pranks on April 1st anymore, for the main reason that I'm horrible at thinking up a joke and even worse at pulling one off. I don't mind if someone plays one on me, as long as it isn't mean-spirited. I cringe at the lengths certain television shows go to in order to embarrass someone. Is there anything more cruel than making someone feel guilty over something they haven't even done? Terrible!
Photo by lenore-m
But when I began saddling up my high horse, I realized that I am required to inflict pain as part of my profession. If my characters don't suffer, they're boring and unreadable. Who could read about someone's perfect life for long without gagging, throwing the book, or both? No. Pain draws us. We need to empathize with characters we read about. We share their pain, their joys, their triumphs.
I've cried many a time over fictional characters. If my favorite authors didn't, in essence, pull pranks on their characters, I wouldn't have felt the same deep emotions.
This month we're going to delve into another painful feeling: fear. So join me on Friday when we'll get the fun going!
And...
Write Already! It's Wednesday!
