How do writers come up with articles that mesmerize and get you into serious thinking? Or how do books get you glued in for hours, hoping you get to the ending in super speed? What is it that perks your interest?
I asked my big sister these questions (oh yes, you will hear a lot about my sister in this column, sorry! She’s my reference book just as my son, Chuck, is my hotshot editor.)
She pondered on my questions for a second and then offered an explanation. She said it is because of how writers perceive thing and the way they use words to abet or inspire a reader.
For example, to a simple mind, a bumblebee is just that – one of those pesky, buzzing creatures. To a writer though, a bumblebee is a fuzzy coat, with brilliant black and yellow stripes, large black eyes, and a snout that collects nectar from beautiful flowers in the garden. See the difference, huh? ‘Scusami?
Here’s my take though (no pun intended, Ben!). Hardcore journalists report things as they actually happen because facts are crucial to their story. Feature writers have more lenient guidelines because the topics they write about usually need extensive research or in-depth reporting. For opinionated brats like me, nothing is sacred, because I can ‘blow off steam’ as I please, so long as I exercise a modicum of moral decency in my write-ups.
Now, authors are in a galaxy all of their own. You can either have fiction or nonfiction: the truth or plain fable. Girls love Danielle Steele and her love stories. Personally, I have always been amazed by how John Grisham frames and finally solves all his legal thrillers. And here I thought Charles Ray could have been a cowboy (Buffalo Soldiers series) if he was not destined to be a U. S. Ambassador.
And oh, let me throw in the poet laureates. They are the best of the best. In fact, when I wrote the word, poet, I suddenly remembered my late brother-in-law Manong Tal. If I told you what his favorite poems were, I’m sure 90 percent of you would recite those poems in tandem with him.
Thanks to our well-meaning teachers in the grade and high school who required us to memorize, “I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to earth I know not where”. Or, “Of all the queer birds I ever did see, the owl is the queerest by far to me”. How about this? “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole; I thank whatever Gods may be, For my unconquerable soul”.
And surely you remember, “Adios, patria adorada, region del sol querida”. Up to now, I still do “The Owl and the Pussycat went to the sea” with gusto! I really hope to meet that teacher again who taught us how to recite that poem from the heart when we were in Grade 5. Then maybe I can tell her how big an influence she was in my life because now I know how to use pauses and exclamation points and how to emphasize phrases when saying things. But alas, she was only on her practicum and there’s no way I will ever know her name?
Let’s include a specialized kind of writing – those made for movies or a Netflix series. I have shed many a tear and rolled over in hilarious frenzy over so many dramatic stories and comedies. Call me a wimpy prude, but I refuse to watch a steamy, sexy movie or series in the presence of an adult apo, so forget about that.
By the way, do you know that those “steamy” love scenes are sometimes incredibly difficult to enact because the actors have to portray a transcendental kind of love making (e.g., the Twilight series) or a cutting edge raw portrayal of sex? That is exactly why I love K-movies.
Never mind that the male lead is so gorgeous with skin so fair and free of imperfections and oozing with very manly appeal. Thinking of Lee Min Ho at this moment. And the ladies! Man, what I would do to have such perfect complexion. How many bottles and containers of beauty and cosmetic products do you think will make me dazzle even in broad daylight? But I get side tracked with such silly thoughts, sorry again.
K-movies are mostly the feel good kind, sometimes goofy, at other times juvenile, could be downright creepy but they remain my go to preference when it comes to entertainment. My forever favorites are Boys Over Flowers, Crash Landing On You, The King: Eternal Monarch and 100 Days – My Prince. Are we on the same page yet?
Wait, there is still another category of writing that I nearly forgot to include in this article. It starts with some sort of a poem, maybe a love letter or random thoughts. But combine it with a melody and viola! You have just created a song!
We all have the songwriters to thank for the lovely, memorable songs that you hear on the radio, as theme songs for movies, or just ear candies that you download from your favorite app store. Just think how unremarkable the tune of Through The Years would be without the lyrics provided by Steve Dorff and Marty Panzer. Or how the playful words of Paul McCartney and John Lennon produced the jolly old song, Ob La Di Ob.
Ah, the storyteller. He can raise your adrenalin to glorious heights, provoke you into another world war, or throw you into a spectral nightmare.
Are there simpler choices? I want to be a writer of children’s books so I can stir the unadulterated imagination of a child. I can fly like an eagle on a hunting mission or be a beautiful mermaid under the sea. Don’t you love how eagerly they devour every word in a book?
To these little darlings I can be my simple, silly self and yet be a hero. All I need is an excellent illustrator (that would be my grand, Noelle Alonso) and I will be in business. – NWI
