September 30, 2005
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Before we begin, just let me say: thanks for pleading with me to stay with the blogging on my last entry. It was very cute indeed. But have no fear—I’m going nowhere. I didn’t mean to come off as a blog snob (you know the type—those who roll their eyes at the fun of the blog). The relaxed, fun little community that I’ve stumbled upon through Xanga is one of the coolest surprises that I’ve received in the past year. Ditch that? No way. I was just having a drifting mind that day and found myself thinking about how I came to blogging in the first place.
So thanks a million—you cats are da bomb—and without further ado…
Obsess Much?
© The Author, 2005
Some of my favorite characters are usually revealed to me through their obsessions. Mrs. Haversham was obsessed with the wedding that never was. Carol Burnam was obsessed with roses and perfection, Ricky Fitz with video taping beauty. Scout and Jem were obsessed with Boo Radley. Alobar was obsessed with beets. Jake was obsessed with Brett. Nick Carraway was obsessed with status. Everyone in Updike’s deliciously smutty Couples was obsessed with sex and leisure. And then there is author Michaels Chabon, where virtually every character is messed up enough to have an obsession.
In Chabon’s book (& later the fabulous movie) The Wonder Boys, Grady Tripp was obsessed with pot and chasing the elusive ending to his book, James Leer was obsessed with lies and old movies, Hanna Green with her red cowboy boots, and Walter Galsgow with Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. In Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, the characters are riddled with obsession: comic books, Houdini, Nazi’s—the glorious hang ups are abundant.
Obsessions are not criteria for a good story–I can think of plenty of characters for whom I can’t pinpoint an obsession–but I always latch on whenever one is provided. It adds richness for me.
Different writers seem to use obsessions differently. Sometimes it’s the main character who has none at all—everyone around them is nuts. Sometimes the main character is riddled with obsessions and surrounds himself with others who are driven by their obsessions, but they long to be with the one person in the story who doesn’t seem to have any at all. There are a million and one variations. I like them all.
If I had to tell a story about myself I’d say my obsession is with anything campy. Give me a hot buttered rum served in a gargantuan skull mug, and I’m much happier than playing it cool with a chilled martini glass; give me a Drag Queen Tina Turner and I’m more tickled than if I were to see the real deal. What does that say about me? Nothing in specific, but I think it somehow explains a lot.
I’m tossing around the idea of obsession as I try to get to know the leading man of the story I’m writing better. He is elusive—sometimes he bears all and other times he is withholding and shy. So what does he obsess over? I don’t know. I don’t know yet if it matters. But I’m having a good time figuring it out.
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What obsession could define you if you were a character in a book? What are some of your favorite character’s obsessions?Later:
Hey, not to admit that I actually take quizes like this or anything, but well…yeah..I some times waste more time than I ought to. Infraorange posted this cool quiz (her results are far cooler than mine), and I thought it was campy in just the way I like. According to Quizilla, I am…
Take it for yourself for a laugh: http://quizilla.com/users/etherkiss/quizzes/What%20is%20your%20sexual%20appeal%3F/
Comments (9)
Patrick Wallingford, the main character in John Irving’s “The Fourth Hand”, has an obsession of having a romantic relationship with the wife of the man who, due to his death, donated his hand to Patrick. It is so complex because we are not sure if it is gratitude that draws him to this woman or if he longs to be with the woman for who she actually is. Very interesting and touching.
A year ago, I think my obsession would have been with my B/F. Now I think I’m obsessed with making a life for myself that’s all my own, and unique from anybody else’s. It’s a tad difficult, living at home and being under the thumb of my parents (and my little sister believing I’m under her thumb as well), but I think I’m making progress on it, even if it’s going slowly.
Hmm. My character in my last book was obsessed with the idea of family and where she really came from. Although, it’s an Atlantis book, that’s a metaphor for looking for the human family. (Get it? Gee, I hope my agent does.) Anyway, I’m trying to formulate a short story and the obession will be finding and keeping personal power. People are going to keep trying to take it away from the protagonist. But I haven’t sorted out how. I, myself, am so obsessed with minutea that I don’t dare to go into it.Lynn
Hey, BTW, how are you liking The Anansi Boys? I thought it was just brilliant. I liked it better than American Gods because it was funnier, quirkier, and just way more imaginative. Let me know the minute you finish!Lynn
Here’s a massive obsession-ridden character: Humbert Humbert of Lolita. His obsession IS the story. Talk about masterful – while no one can admire the child-lust that is the crux of the story, you can’t help but feel bonded with this pedophile and his obsession. I found myself sympathizing with his plight, which later made me recognize the genius of the author. Few people would have me putting myself in the shoes of such a person and unconsciously leaning forward in expectation of him attaining his goal. That’s writing obsession well.
Another of my favorite tales of obsession is much more modern: Rob from High Fidelity. His obsession with self-discovery is humorous and human.
Were I to be ridden with an obsession, it would be perceptions. How do people perceive the truth? And can that be altered? How do people perceive me, and can that be altered? It would be a very internal obsession / conflict, I think.
i don’t think an obsession would define me as much as a process of an obsession would. first the seductive introduction with all of it’s intricate and alluring details; follwed by a few here and theres’ with the obession replacing old familiars in the schedule of the obsessor; then it leads up to full blown nothing else matters except that which is the obsession; other things matter only because it allows more time and energy devoted to the obession and the fullfillment of more and more of what can never be enough. maybe that lingers on the compulsive side of obession but it’s really interesting and would be a little more definitive to my character. the red haired bomber had an obession with carrying around a pack of smokes to explain why he had matches for lighting his mad bombs. i think it suffices as my choices for my favorite characters obsession, mainly because i’m not overly well read enough to know, or good enought ot remember, many others.
ryc on Timshead’s tipsheet: I just read the thing about Tom DeLay on DrudgeReport.com today. Improper campaign funds contributions? Shocker.
My favorite all-time obsessive character would be Cyrano de Bergerac. I seem to recall one production that chose to give him a nose that was not particularly big or unusual to make the point that what we think are our bigger drawbacks may be more imaginary than real.On a more contemporary vein, I would have to say Adrian Monk of the great show Monk, a man whose obsessions run his life yet still don’t prevent him from solving mysteries.My obsessions are too many and too depressing to list in this space. Other than being overly anal with grammar, but then I consider it a good thing.
The Wonder Boys is one of my favorite books, by far. i know others have probably said this, but my favorite obsessive character has got to be Holden Caaulfield from Catcher in The Rye. most of the time his obsessions bordered on crazy and yet, he was so dry and so darkly humorous at times.i love your blog. i hope you keep up with it. it’s wonderful.