Seriously asking here, because:
- There’s no money in fiction writing. For most of us. And we’re perfectly aware of this fact.
- There’s some kind of work involved, judging by how the head tends to run hot in a flow.
- Writing is all over our schedule, crowding out activities considered relevant by less weird people.
- Our default answers to non-writing action prompts stretches the patience of our next of kin: “Still busy here, darling. Nearly there, honey. As good as done, sweetie. Just a couple more minutes, love. Not just now, as in right now, OK?”
So why the hell do we keep doing this?
Not claiming an actual Eureka moment here. But I’ll ask the kind folks on LinkedIn and in the Fediverse if I might be up to something, with a thought that crossed my mind today.
It all happened while working on a dialogue for the next episode of my 1KYears series. The scene involves obnoxious client C, as experienced by phone bank operator O.
Anyone familiar with The Guardian series “What I’m really thinking” will recognise the approach.
- Client C behaves a real challenge, stretching the limits of polite interaction. A threatening bully with a foul mouth. His part is relayed as it happens.
- Operator O, pretty new in his role, anxious to build up credentials as a competent service provider, struggles to cope. Besides learning what he actually gets to say, which isn’t that much, the reader is provided with a glimpse into his mind.
Writing, reading and rewriting this dialogue is fun. Nearly making myself LOL when I do it. Why?
Here’s my best guess at an answer: Deep down, one part of me longs to be as rude as client C. That same part would also enjoy telling all those rude people I can’t avoid meeting, over a lifetime, how much of a nuisance they are. Preferably in their own, plain rude terms.
Most people will describe me as a polite person. Being subjected to yearly 360 degree feedback as part of my very international day job, I can even pretend not to brag when I state as much. But some part of me, deep down, might long to shout a couple of truths at a couple of people who are zero fun to interact with. This part of me envies the rude people, for getting it all off their chests, while also wanting to punish them, for not adhering to conventions.
Too much psychology? Up to something? Nonsense, because <please insert better explanation here>?
I’ll ask the kind folks on LinkedIn and in the Fediverse for their explanations. Or I might do a Twitter poll.
Or rather not? Are there any other hidden parts of my personality I might be revealing through my writing? Clearly some more thinking needed here…