I have a question for all of you? How many of you have story ideas influenced by television? I'll admit - I once started a story about a fat housewife who found a way to teleport into her favorite TV shows and had an affair with Commander Riker... :)
And do you ever find yourself likening your stories to different shows? "Dear Agent - My 350,000 word YA fantasy is Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Survivor."
Is television a worthy muse?
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I'd have to say that there's four types of television watchers:
1. The D.I.H.A.T.s: Do I Have A TV? These are the precious few that actually have better things to do than mindlessly watch TV. I imagine they have really good posture and arch an eyebrow when they speak. Clearly, their muses are tangible and talk to them on a regular basis. TV doesn't stand a chance...
2. The H.O.R.Ts: Hooked on Reality TV. These people may need a 12-step program. Seriously. They're junkies - hooked on the adrenaline rush that comes with intense competition. Reality TV isn't reality TV without some healthy competition - be it singing, dancing, surviving the wild, cooking, getting the guy, getting the girl, getting the celebrity...etc. What is the muse telling this person, anyway?
3. The I.W.A.G.S: I'll Watch A Good Show. This person will watch a few good shows. They don't deviate too much. Once they find a fun sitcom and a good law/medical drama - they're SET! Is this person's muse as steady?
4. The T.I.H.I.L.s: TV Is How I Live!! This happens to be the category that I fall into... you know, the people who look up the fall TV preview on TV guide.com to schedule their fall viewing line-up, DVR'ing one show, while watching another and spending their free time catching up on seasons of several shows via both their Netflix and Blockbuster memberships. Yeah, this person's muse is lucky to get a word in edge-wise.
Still...you have to wonder...if the TIHILs have a moment to focus on writing, with all those TV stories flowing through their veins, are their written words unwittingly laced with pure genius? ;) Hmm... it's a theory I like, anyways.
So, what do you think? Can watching copious amounts of TV inspire? Or is it the opposite? And which category do you fall into? Do tell!!
(*AND DON'T FORGET!! I'm giving away a signed copy of POSSESSION on Friday. Check it out HERE!)
