Blogs by Flo Fitzpatrick
Respect - A Writing Nudge
2/11/2011 7:05:21 AM
“A Little Respect”
Not long ago I was watching the movie Giant (the 40th Anniversary video tape) and for the first time (Yes, I’ve watched this more than just once or twice!) I didn’t fast forward over the intro about the making of the movie. And I’m so glad I let it run because there was a statement made that spoke to me as both a performer and as writer.
George Michaelns Jr., son of director George Michaelns, was talking about how his dad had made "Giant." He offered up fun trivia facts such as: the man (his dad) didn’t even take a salary because he believed in the project so much. Rock Hudson was 27 at the time. Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean were both 23.
There were some not so fun facts such as the weather in Texas was terrible half the time and people were getting sick. And the truly tragic fact that James Dean died only three days after wrapping up the movie.
But then came the quote. Mr. Michaelns stated that his dad had a specific philosophy about making films – “Always respect your audience.”
What a terrific mantra for writers. When we’re editing our WIP (Work in Progress) we should remember that simple sentence. I think too many times in a world of instant gratification and dumbing down of so many things, we can forget that our readers are smart, savvy and discriminating. I remember reading something that stated most fiction is written to readers assuming they read on a fifth-grade level. I disagree. I believe if we “write down” to them, we do them – and us – a huge disservice.
Write your best. Don’t settle for mediocrity – your readers won’t.
Respect your audience.
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