This
month the Genre-istas’ topic is “Wedding Stories.” We’ve had similar themes in
the past so I’m sure I’ve already told my own “wedding story” at some point over
the last 8 years.
What I
don’t remember sharing with you is the role television shows such as “Say Yes
To The Dress” “This Old House” “House Hunters” and other programs on the Discovery, HGTV and PBS channels have played in my writing.
There
were literally years when I watched most of the home improvement and extreme
homes shows as well as SYTTD. My friends would shake their heads in dismay.
What was it about these (to them) worthless reality t.v. shows that drew me?
I’d cock my head to one side and shrug my shoulders, a lopsided twist to my
mouth. “I like them?”
When I
started writing The Sacred Women’s Circle series, those years of watching “worthless
reality t.v.” came in handy. I knew a lot about Lily as there are parallels
with my own life. However to write the hero's story, those hours of sitting in front of my television were invaluable because Jackson Montgomery turned out to be an inventive
sought-after architect.
The
same is true for “Say Yes To The Dress.” Ball gown, Mermaid style, fit and
flare, the amount of bling, see-through bodices, plunging neck lines and bare
backs…before I watched SYTTD, I had a very traditional view of what a wedding
dress would (should) look like.
I will
admit that many of the programs that used to fascinate me no longer hold me in
the same thrall. Why? Because it seems that the producers of programs like
SYTTD and HH’s believe that the more obnoxious, demanding, rude, etc. the
bride-to-be or her entourage or the house hunter/remodeler are the better.
While
I’ve never flipped a house, I have had extensive remodeling done on my own. And I have been involved in numerous projects that have a promised completion date.
If every project had me up doing the “all-nighter” so it would be perfect for the client, I’d probably have slit my throat – I know that’s a bit dramatic but really – these professionals can’t figure out how to estimate what needs to be done in such a way that they do a quality job and still get some sleep?
If every project had me up doing the “all-nighter” so it would be perfect for the client, I’d probably have slit my throat – I know that’s a bit dramatic but really – these professionals can’t figure out how to estimate what needs to be done in such a way that they do a quality job and still get some sleep?
If you
find yourself binge watching certain programs, especially if you are or are
considering the life of an author, ask yourself how you can use the experience
in your writing or to learn and grow in your own life. And if you already do
so, what programs or movies or books or music do you find inspire your stories
and your life?
© 2019 Judith Ashley
13 comments:
Great post, Judith. My guilty pleasures are watching Dancing with the Stars and cooking shows, so I guess I can work cooks and dancers into my books ;-)
Or if not a story, perhaps you pick up some tips/recipes and a dance step or two.
I'm with you Lynn, hubby and I love Dancing with the Stars! I also , binge watch Love it or List its! some DIY shows, Flea Market Flips and the Pioneer Woman cooking show.
With me, it's Paranormal Caught on Camera, Mysteries at the Museum, What on Earth?, Extinct or Alive?, Long Island Medium, Unidentified, Curse of Oak Island, animal rescue, vet and zoo shows - but then, I have Paranormal Elements and animals in every story!
Diana, I like "Flea Market Flip" also. They come up with amazing end-products. Used to watch Pioneer Woman but haven't for a few years. Started watching "Property Brothers' Forever Home" series. Once I win the Lottery I'll have them come and finish off my house.
Sarah, I also watch some episodes of "Mysteries at the Museum" You got me interested in "America Unearth" with Scot Wolter. The scientific way he investigates things is fascinating to me. And yes, your stories do have animal characters and paranormal elements in staring roles.
I watch LOTS of HGTV and DIY Network shows. The key for me is that the people doing the show have to be likable and not "battling" each other all the time. For example I love Mom & Me (mother son house repairs) because you can tell they really care for each other and have fun together, while still recognizing their quirks. I also love a design show the Fords-- a brother and sister combo. She does the design and he does the construction. Again, they obviously love each other.
On the other hand I detest Love It or List It because of the staged (or maybe real) animosity between the hosts. There is no need for that. I did watch SYTTD for a while but the poor family relationships, bridesmaid or mother that takes over the wedding, or other people in the bride's life that put her down just made it unpalatable.
My fave Reality shows though have to do with singing. Love The Voice. And The Voice kids from the UK. Hooked on the new Songland that feature songwriters pitching to a famous singer. Also love dancing shows like World of Dance and So You Think You Can Dance. Seeing talented people, who have worked hard for their art, achieve success makes me smile, cry, and root for them throughout the show.
Maggie, I totally agree with Love It or List It and Say Yes To The Dress. SYTTD has reached the point where I think they pick unlikable people because "conflict sells." Also true for House Hunters International and House Hunters - complaining seems to feature in many shows. I just turn them off or at least mute the sound if they are in a city I've visited or want to. Life's too short and most important, I watch t.v. to be entertained and complaining, whining and fighting are not entertaining to me.
I had to laugh at your recitation of bridal gowns. It is fascinating the monstrosities some people pick and then others are lovely. I too can't deal with mean, overpowering people. But as an author, the advice I always get is throw stuff at your character - it creates conflict and keeps the story moving. Yet, I hate to "torture" my characters. Sometimes too much of that gets boring or frustrating or downright uncomfortable to watch. And I see so much of that in some of these reality shows. But I do love to watch them transform / resurrect an old house, or build a tiny house - so many varieties and imagination to make each home different or perfect for the person living there. AND yes, much fodder for background in our stories. Fun blog, Judith!
Deb,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I've also heard the mantra "throw stuff at your characters." I don't read nor do I write Thriller or Action/Adventure stories so I have modified that to "Make Sure What They Face Is Real To Their Situation." In other words (and this is perhaps not the best analogy) in "Elizabeth" the main character travels to Ireland away from prying eyes, etc. She embarks on an affair, something she'd never do at home. However, in "Ashley" the heroine is battling recurrent breast cancer so no physical love scenes at all. And in "Hunter" the reconciliation between the main characters must take place on other levels/planes before their physical relationship is renewed.
For various reasons I've been rereading my "keeper" books and am finding I can skip over dozens of pages, not because I remember the story as much as because the author is writing basically the same scene with different characters and perhaps in a different setting. To me that's boring but when I originally read these books and months rather than a day were between them, I didn't even notice it.
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