And while we're at it... let's get a bit silly. ^_^
I found this image quite a while ago, and while I generally think it's hilarious, it gets me thinking: if your life was fiction - if each year of your life was a season of a TV series, for example - what would your fans say about you? What would they discuss, what would they argue about, what would they like the most and what would they think needs to change? Granted, I know I don't live a life worthy of fictionalization, but let's just say whoever's watching has vastly different standards of entertainment and go from there.
Considering the vast misconceptions I've seen online of how the writing thing actually works, I'm sure my viewers would be ranting regularly about how long it's taking me to make it as a writer. He started writing books back in season 13, they'd say. (Some would argue if the stuff I did back in season 7 counted or not.) But after so long, shouldn't I be rich and famous? Others would say that I hadn't made it yet because I'm not spending every waking hour writing, and there would be arguments wherein fans linked one of my own blog entries to those people.
It's very odd to think there would be flame wars over my lack of success. O_o
Some fans would point out that the show's writers had clearly either run out of ideas or gotten into a serious rut, what with me staying in the same place at the same job for eleven seasons. Others would praise the rotating cast of characters at said job, and talk about the character development I've shown. This isn't like seasons 18 through 21, they'd say. Still others would be disappointed at certain characters from work leaving the show, and say that at least the work time was more interesting with them around. I would agree with them.
In that same vein, I'm sure there would be even more arguments about my moving plans, with some saying the series needed a new direction, and others saying that eleven seasons in the same place was proof that it was working out. But such a thing would lead to a new supporting cast, which would only give more fuel to... the shippers.
I haven't had anything even remotely resembling a romantic life for a very long time, but I know how shippers work, and I know that nothing stops someone who's dedicated to seeing two characters get together for a happily ever after and/or mad crazy sex. I tend to get along well with women, which means that I'd be shipped with every woman I've ever known and a few I merely walked next to. >_< The smushed-together pairing names would be ridiculous, as would the ship wars between people who wanted to see me with one person or another.
And in every single argument, there'd be that one person saying, "Dude, he treats her like he treats everyone else. He's not interested in her. Get over it." That person would be the only correct one.
To leave this with one final mind screw: I've cosplayed as various characters from a handful of series over the years. Which means I'm now imagining one of those characters sitting down to watch the series of my life, only to see me putting together a costume and going to a convention... dressed as them.
I can only imagine the look of utter dismay on Snape's face, but I'd like to think Bumi thinks I do him justice.
My life would be really boring as a sitcom. Even though I've published books, the time lag between them would lose me viewers faster than a balloon with a hole losing air.
ReplyDeleteWell, like I said, I am assuming whoever's watching this has vastly different tastes in entertainment. I mean, living a life where everything exciting happens over the space of an hour or so has to be exhausting. ^_^
DeleteMason, you are hilarious. This whole idea is so twistedly creatively awesome. Although, I have to say, I am DELIGHTED that my life is not a TV show. Can you imagine how much more drama and silliness there would be if it was? Plus, I wouldn't get to remain happily married, cuz no one on TV ever does ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, though I can't quite take credit for the idea, just for running with it. ^_^ And I hadn't thought about the marriage thing - I hardly watch TV, so I don't even know if there are happily married couples out there. Oi.
DeleteI'm going to have to second Alex here. My life would make for the cure for insomnia.
ReplyDeleteI dunno. The fan arguments about your time in grad school would have been brutal. :P
DeleteLOL,this is pretty funny. But we all know that once the MC in the series meets his goal or actually marries his dream girl, the series will soon jump the shark unless it bows out with dignity while the audience is still wanting more.
ReplyDeleteSo let's all be glad our lives aren't a TV show! 'Cause we'd like to live past the fulfillment of our dreams.
Hmmm... Wondering whether it's better to succeed and then die or to never succeed is way more philosophical and depressing than I can handle right now. ^_^
DeleteI think it'd be fun to see your life as a film. :)
ReplyDeleteI've actually discussed this with my best friend before. I have a fairly decent cast when it comes to my life. The well-intentioned, overly sweet parents, the controlling mother-in-law, the single sister-in-law who lives with us, two kids, three dogs, a dysfunctional extended family, a super-conservative brother with his wife and six kids... and that doesn't even touch on friends and work life.
But then again, I'm the type of person who laughs at her own jokes when no one else does, so I'd be utterly entertained by what is probably a train-wreck of a TV series. :)
Heh! I think there are parts of everyone's lives that would be interesting, if not fascinating, if filmed and studied. The family dynamics on my mom's side would keep some people busy for years, perhaps forever.
DeleteI wouldn't mind watching the past 15 years or so of my life; everything before that was crap. Except when I was writing. No, I take it back. Of course there were good times. But all those bad times made me the writer I am today. See what you did? Got me to reflect, gash durn you!
ReplyDeleteAs writers, it's our job to hold up these distorted mirrors, so our readers can reflect properly.
DeleteDidn't know I could manage that in a blog entry, though. :P
Mind = blown.
ReplyDeleteWell, considering all I do in the winter is write, design, and take my dog for walks... it might not be very exciting! lol
Well, someone who saves the world on a regular basis would probably quite enjoy it, since you're living a life so calm and sedate they can only envy it. ^_^
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