Empathy

This was a post I made on a different site with a writer's group.  I've decided to post it on here because it's easier to access. 

I consider myself to be empathic. Seeing someone else cry can make me cry. That is why I can't watch mourners at a funeral. I can easily put myself in another person's position and I feel that I'm more considerate of a person's feelings because of this. I think my empathy aids me in writing because it helps me imagine how my characters are feeling and how they would react. This really comes in handy with writing in third person.

I'm curious about the rest of you. Do sad stories make you cry? Do love stories give you the euphoria one feels with new love? Does someone else's joy bring you joy? Have you ever felt fear that wasn't your own? Do people consider you someone easy to talk to? Have you ever disliked someone for a reason that you couldn't explain? I'm just curious if it's just me or if the rest of you writers are sensitive to emotions, too.

Veronica

The Tragedy of Darth Vader/Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Parallel

One aspect in life I find by being a Lit. person is finding the similarities between real life and the arts. I think many of you remember literature class in high school, where you would look for the author's inspiration or compare a character to a real person.  Due to recent events, I found myself comparing Dzhokhar Tsarnaev life to Darth Vader's. Has anyone else noticed the parallels?  I think the idea started when I thought of this wavy-haired boy being a killer.  I kept thinking, "He's just a baby!"  And I began to think about another young man in a tale that took place a long, long time ago. 

Look at the two: 

• Vader (then known as Anakin Skywalker) was born into slavery, then freed and brought to a new world when he was about 9 years-old.  Hmmm . . . Jahar's (as I'll refer to him as it's easier to spell) family left their homeland due to persecution and came to America when he was 9 years-old.
• Anakin became a Jedi apprentice;  Protector to the Republic.  Jahar was a lifeguard and I thought I heard that he was thinking about pursuing medicine.
• Anakin's mentor and friend, Palpatine, influences him to go down a darker path.  Jahar's brother plots against the U.S. due to wars in the Middle East.  He influences his brother.
• Vader leads the attack on the Jedi temple.  He kills Jedi younglings (children.)  Jahar helps his brother place bombs at the Boston Marathon.  His bomb was responsible for killing a child and injuring many other people.   
• Both betray the democracy that offered them a better way of life.
• Both end up seriously injured shortly after the attacks.  Both are taken away on a medical gurney and require oxygen.  Vader is burned after a duel with his former Jedi master.  He's left scarred and requires a life-preserving suit.  Jahar has multiple injuries due to engaging with law enforcement.  What is interesting is Jahar has an injury to his throat and is unable to speak at this time.  Who knows if he permanently damaged his vocal cords.  I wonder if he still requires oxygen?  I don't think his respirator would be quite as pronounced as Vader's, but the similarities are almost eerie.   

Here the parallel ends.  Vader redeemed himself by helping to destroy the Empire that he helped create.  I don't know if there's any way that Jahar could ever redeem himself.  Unlike the 9/11 terrorists, Jahar is able to see the results of his actions.  And will be held accountable for them.

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, when discussing his character of Darth Vader claimed that no one who is evil thinks of themselves as evil.  They think they are doing the right thing.  He must have done his research.  I think he must have studied the Nazi's judging from the scripts that he wrote.  I think it very well applies to the Jihad extremists/terrorists.

Even though Star Wars is science fiction, it really has to do with the human spirit.  Under all that CGI and alien worlds, it's really about ourselves.  I'll leave you with a quote from Yoda but it's really George Lucas' words,

"Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate.  Hate leads to suffering."

How very true it is.

Veronica

Edited to add:  Discussing Vader and his breathing reminded me of the teaser trailer for Ep. 3.  That breathing (:47) still gives me goose bumps!  Star Wars Ep. 3 Teaser

Life Finds A Way

A baby boom in Boston in approximately 38 weeks due to Friday's lock down.  Life finds a way. 

This was my tweet/FB post this morning.  I have to admit that it was my husband who thought of it.  He said to me yesterday afternoon while we were watching the news coverage, "I bet they are going to have a baby boom in January."  So, it got me thinking.  The plan of the terrorists was to kill Americans, not make more of them!  And I'm sure that's what happened with Friday's lock down.  Stuck in the house together all day.  What to do???  What to do???  So, thanks to the younger brother trying to elude law enforcement most of the day on Friday, the chances are favorable for a baby boom come mid-January in Boston.  Imagine after all that planning to take life, they inadvertently created more!  Oh, the irony of it!  Granted, nothing can replace the lives that were lost, but this goes to show that we will prevail.

I followed the manhunt through most of the day yesterday through the media.  I couldn't remember ever seeing a whole city shut down for most of the day.  I have to explain a little about me so you don't take it the wrong way about what I'm going to write.  I consider myself to be an empathic person.  Seeing someone else cry can make me cry.  I can't watch mourners at a funeral because of this.  I think my empathy aids me in writing because I can put myself in another's position.  This comes in handy with writing in third person.  As a reader/writer, I like to look for redeeming qualities in the villain.  As I watched the standoff last night, I started to feel a little sorry for the perpetrator.  Now, don't throw stones!  I haven't forgotten about what he's done!  I haven't forgotten about Martian Richard nor the rest of his victims.  I just started to think how he hit the ultimate low.  There he was, hiding in a boat, wounded and bleeding,  surrounded by an army of law enforcement.  His brother was dead, he probably hadn't eaten anything all day, he probably hadn't slept in days.  Maybe the guilt was starting to wear on him?  If his brother had convinced him to take part in the plot and now he was the only one remaining to take the full responsibility for the terror they inflicted on others.  I was relieved to see him taken alive into custody, so his family didn't have to lose a second member that day.  My hope is that everyone finds the answers that they are seeking and will eventually find closure.

It was wonderful to see the residents of Boston back out on the streets last night.  And to watch them cheer the members of law enforcement and emergency services as they left the scene.  We have to remember there are more good people out there than the bad.

My thoughts and prayers are with Texas as well during this trying week. 

Have a safe weekend!

Veronica

The Temptation Of Your Touch

I recently read the latest novel by Teresa Medeiros called "The Temptation Of Your Touch."  It is the second book in the Burke Brothers series and I have to say I enjoyed it more than the first book.  It could have something to do with the setting in Cornwall, England over the desert setting in the first.  It could also do with the eldest brother being tall, dark, handsome and brooding.  There is also mystery and a taste of the paranormal in this tale.  I love Ms. Medeiros' descriptive writing and I find her storytelling to be quite clever.  In fact, her B&B inspired book, "The Bride and the Beast," influenced me to start writing again.

As far as my own writing, I have most of the crucial parts of my WIP written.  Now it's time for descriptive writing.  I think that is what truly builds a story and fills in the pages.

I am now on Twitter:  VRWinters Twitter Page .  I haven't been very active with tweeting yet, but I do enjoy getting updates on some of my favorite celebs.

Even though the calendar says it's spring, it sure doesn't feel like it!

Veronica