Moral relativism

Two sisters (heroines) come to the U.S. and meet and marry. One hero is conservative and the other is liberal. The gals, not knowing American politics, start leaning to the political direction of their husbands. Why? Well, you're heard many clichés about this. Finishing each others sentences, picking up traits, mannerisms. Basically, like all marriages, the man and wife compromise to get along.

But, you say, didn't they have politics in their home country? Yes, but it might have seemed different or unclear. Perhaps they were just learning life or had no interest as yet. Perhaps, they lived in a place where speaking up would lead to punishment. I think of the poor Iranian girl who died of an indiscriminate bullet, as seen on video, while she and many others were protesting or just going from one place to another. This young woman yearned to be free..

As time went on, the sisters and their husbands grew in love and respect becoming best friends in spite of their differing, and strongly held, views. They learned to minimize political discussions around each other because they found love to be the truth.

Am I suggesting moral relativism? No. first let's go over some of the ideas that divide and unite us. Abortion, climate, religion, atheism, pragmatism, egotism, a priori truths, sexual preferences, gun rights, human rights, animal rights...

I'll pick one. A priori truths. Nearly everybody agrees that all men are created equal. Many take it a step further to believe and practice the golden rule. Nearly every philosophy, lays down as the tenant to life that we must treat (do to) another human being as we would want to be treated (done to).

Have I painted myself into a corner? No, realize that your friend of differing opinion has had different life experiences. I don't know about you, but when writing, I look at the arc. In life, I abhor those who act in criminal ways or don't, through their actions or words, live by the golden rule. I don't blame those who side with this antagonist in real life. I don't try to educate them. Why? To educate you must have the time and understanding of what makes them tick. You must walk in their shoes and try on their inner motivations. Nearly impossible unless you are a writer. If it gets serious in this country, at least we have the courts. Lead by example. If the person is receptive to discussion, they'll let you know.

Back to the two couples. They are real. It occurs all the time. Who among us is so smug to be the only one to know the truth. I suggest, the truth is in our common humanity based on life experiences and emotions more the logic. The reason you can't change the other too easily should be logically obvious. Typically for every opinion or belief there is an opposite and equal counterbalancing opinion. Approximately, there are as many republicans as democrats, as many men as women Who's right? God has often so finely balanced us by making women and men different along with opinions on problems we confront. It's our job to seek the truth, but don't forget to honor a person who is also seeking the truth that may seem at odds with your understanding. I'm not going to argue with the Creator.

Since this is part of everybody's lives, it can be used as a tool in writing. Be real, showing emotion and logic is about the struggle to understand oneself and the other.

Wired for Story

Last month, Lisa Cron lectured at the RWASD meeting on discoveries she presented in her book, Wired for Story. I bought the book and found her presentation and the actual book unique in its approach to the craft of writing.

I’m writing about one idea that was very hard for me, an ex-engineer, to wrap my head around.

“Cognitive secret: Emotion determines the meaning of everything…”

If I design a widget, I expect it to work because I had invested logic and know-how in building it. Ms. Cron, using well-researched materials, shows that one can’t or won’t do [design] anything if there is no emotion permeating whatever you are doing. Her research boldly states, you will do nothing or find yourself incapable of making a decision.

I’ll add a corollary to that by saying a guy is never devoid of emotional reasons when he tries to “hook-up” even for so-called casual sex. It’s for the writer to discover and present the guy’s hidden intentions, even if minimal.

I highly recommend her book, as it covers writing from head to toe and doesn’t ignore the heart for either male or female characters.

Can you think of a case of someone doing something that is only based on logic?

Have you written a heartless antagonist?

The movie, The Martian, 2015, is a great example of emotion trumping logic (and all us smart-ass engineers). 3 minutes.

 

AMERICAN SNIPER

Many of my chapter mates (RWASD) write about cowboys or Navy Seals as their alpha male heroes. In American Sniper you get both. Chris Kyle had two loves that ran so deep within him and were so authentically portrayed in the movie. He loved his wife and his country. Many of you have misgivings about war or seeing a "war" movie.

See this movie.

I saw Iraq as a mistake that spawn vast armies of terrorists, but I also felt Afghanistan was necessary. We in our hearts have differing but earnest beliefs. The film isn't so much about war as it is about love and what love makes us do. You are not a man if you don't stand for and do something you believe in and in this way give back the talents God gave you. We were not made to just propagate, we are also here to make a better world for our mates and children. Struggle to find this ever-shifting balance in your hero and heroine.

Instead of showing the film's promo, I present a video clip of one of Taya Kyle's interviews which will help a romance writer get a feel for the relationship she had (has) (she's a widow), but seeing the film will complete your study of what makes a hero.

 

I need a subtitle for my 9/11 retrospective (novel) Autumn Breeze. I need something that captures the times or the date 9/11/2001 or the city NY. Anybody have an idea or care to comment about today's post?