If you haven't seen "Stranger Than Fiction," with Will Farrell, you must check it out. It is truly a writer's movie. Among other things, it examines the process of figuring out just what story your character belongs in - comedy? Tragedy? Often, you may have a character but are uncertain about the unfolding plot.
The movie also explores the writer's relationship with their characters - how close is too close? If a character truly becomes real enough, how do you deal with their death? Can your characters ever be too real? Can you ever get too close to them? Does a story have to be tragic to be profound?
Loved that movie. Ferrell is amazing in conveying a sense of hopeful doom.
ReplyDeleteMessing around with characters who know they are characters is dangerous, but the sense of loss of control you create can raise powerful issues.