The Wild Ride of Unexpected History: A Guide for Writers
Welcome to the wild world where history is as unpredictable as a toddler on a sugar high. Tim and LeeAnna recently dove into the chaotic realm of historical surprises, and if you’re a writer looking for a jolt of inspiration, buckle up. Here’s a highly scientific analysis of their enlightening—and occasionally bewildering—discussion on the unexpected twists of history and how to spin them into creative fiction.
The Shocking Reality of History: Who Needs Plotlines?
Tim starts off by lamenting the sheer exhaustion of living through history’s whiplash moments. It seems the latest US political circus has him reaching for his well-worn copy of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. “History is one damn thing after another,” he quotes from Arnold Toynbee, probably because it’s too accurate to be a punchline.
Tim’s mantra? “This happened, then this happened, then this happened.” He’s practically written a novel on the subject, except he doesn’t think Pearl Harbor counts because, you know, it was the Japanese who attacked, not Hitler. LeeAnna, clearly an expert on World War II, tries to navigate this maze but gets stuck on the analogy of a giant wave from The Perfect Storm. Cue Tim’s critique of CGI—because historical metaphors clearly need visual effects to land.
Memorials and Meltdowns: When History Gets Awkward
LeeAnna tries to bring some gravitas with a story about a fishermen’s memorial in Gloucester. Tim’s response? A snarky comment about her “chicken dance” impression of the memorial’s design. Classic. They bumble through discussions of memorials and movies, with Tim’s fixation on the CGI in The Perfect Storm—because, apparently, the fate of WWII is intertwined with movie special effects.
LeeAnna, not missing a beat, moves on to talk about Pearl Harbor again, prompting Tim to bring up the Battle of Midway. It’s a classic case of trying to out-fact each other, which is as riveting as it sounds. Meanwhile, LeeAnna’s grumpy thoughts on history being erased only add to the mood of collective historical frustration.
Deus Ex Machina: When God Shows Up as a Prop
Tim decides to delve into Deus Ex Machina, which is Greek for “God from the machine,” and not, as LeeAnna initially assumes, a low-budget superhero. It’s all about unexpected twists in plays, like lowering an actor from a crane to “caffeinate” the plot. Tim’s description of this spectacle is nothing short of a circus act.
The conversation then veers into the realm of actor weight gain and LeeAnna’s personal movie crushes. Russell Crowe and Brandon Frazier are thrown under the bus as Tim and LeeAnna dissect the surprising physical changes of her once-beloved stars. It’s all very enlightening until LeeAnna realizes she’s they’re chubby-shaming. Ah, the pitfalls of discussing actors' physiques when talking about Deus Ex Machina.
The Unexpected in Fiction: How to Embrace Chaos
As the podcast nears its sad ending, Tim’s big takeaway for writers is to embrace the unexpected. Forget about neat plot lines—think more along the lines of history’s most bewildering surprises. He suggests making your characters' lives as chaotic and unpredictable as a history book. For instance, as LeeAnna suggests, if the Titanic had a happy ending, why not your novel?
Tim’s ideal writing advice: create curveballs and throw them with abandon. Your characters’ plans? Toss them out the window. LeeAnna’s wise suggestion: just don’t kill the dog. Because, apparently, unexpected deaths are only okay if they're not too devastating (or a dog).
In conclusion, Tim’s vision of writing is akin to his view of history: expect the unexpected, and if something doesn’t work out, delete it and try again. Embrace the chaos, because in the world of fiction, just as in history, the most memorable moments come from the most unpredictable turns.
So, there you have it—a whirlwind tour of how history’s surprises can inspire fiction. Remember, if it’s not chaotic enough, you’re doing it wrong. Happy writing!
The Snark
Comentários