Into the Fire

The Writer’s Strike did a lot of damage to TV. And while I understand the commitment involved in workers who really believe their only option is to strike to get their needs met, I don’t agree that those who need and want to work should be scorned for crossing picket lines.

From nearly all accounts writers in the entertainment industry are underpaid. They got a settlement regarding the royalties paid to them when their material is used on the internet. I have no idea how this works, but I do know it was the money involved in this specific usage which was at the crux of the strike. Most of the writers were satisfied with the settlement when the strike ended.

I watch a good portion of television, very specific shows. Believe it or not, it’s an inspiring exercise for me. Watching my particular choices of shows spurs my creativity. One of those shows is “Shark” with James Woods. The dialogue in this series is second to none. So crisp and stark, stunning really. And the feature which makes it so incredible is that it fits each character. In a novel the dialogue must depict the core of the characters, snatching the personality from whatever means is used to introduce and define him/her and cement who they are by what they say and how they say it. I can usually hear and see them speaking when I write them.

Although I tend to watch shows outside of the genre in which I write, most of my shows feature an element of UST—“Unresolved Sexual Tension”—and that does pertain to a definite particle of what I write. It’s stimulating to watch when it’s well done, and it inspires me to do it well.

If you’re a proponent of throwing out the television, so be it. It’s a creative release and tool for me, and, although I’m very selective in a different way with TV as opposed to the novels I read, I benefit from watching it most of the time.

I’ve missed participating in the series I enjoy. Spending time with the sometimes original stories, not all of which I like, just like the books I read, causes me to dig deeper into the mindset of putting together fictional tales. Observing visual and verbal strengths and weaknesses in the storylines and actors’ performances helps me invent and/or perceive my characters in new and often unique ways.

I wonder if the pause in writing novel number eight has had anything to do with the lingering effects of the writer’s strike . . .

Father, please continue to lead me in my particular avenue of writing, according to what you have designed for me, not veering off course, not getting lazy, but pressing forward with your strength and encouragement. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*