Monday, October 17, 2011

Don't argue with Yosemite Sam

So Anne Kenny (link) and I were swapping Zombieland quotes last week, and since it's almost Halloween, I had to rent the movie.

Upon rewatching, I remembered Cardio and the Double Tap and Avoiding Bathrooms... You know, The Rules to survive in Zombieland.

JRM asked me if he'd laughed as hard the first time Woody Harrelson asks Jesse Eisenberg if he wanted to see how hard Harrelson could punch.

That got me to thinking about characters and character development.

When I was a little kid, I didn't talk a lot. I'm making up for it now. (insert laugh-track)

Anyway, as a child, I spent a lot of time watching and listening to the adults around me.

I try to impart this wisdom to my two young daughters, who like to ignore the adults in their lives. You can learn a lot by just watching and listening.

One of my relatives is a lot like the Woody Harrelson character in Zombieland. Heck, I'm from south Louisiana. I have several relatives who are like that character.

My point is, when I was a kid, he might've been a bit... intimidating.

Don't get me wrong. He's sweet and loyal and would give you the shirt off his back. But this character-type is not the Scarlett O'Hara, swoon, "dropped mah hankey" sort of gentlemen.

It's making me want to get back to that little south-Mississippi sci-fi I've got sitting in the drawer.

I've written two books involving gentlemen. And trust me, I love the gentlemen.

But sometimes it's fun to hang out with Yosemite Sam. You know, the guy who just needs a Hummer and some hollow-point ammo on a quest for a dang Twinkie.

Characters. All sorts. Just keepin' it rill.

Til Thursday. Have a great weekend, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

43 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

So funny you post about this today. Just last night I was thinkin' I was in the mood to read a little hard core sci-fi. Time of year? Getting cold? Maybe we need some imaginary machinery to warm us up ;o)

Matthew MacNish said...

Tallahassee! He was the man. A real man's man, but with a heart of gold. I love that movie.

Miranda Hardy said...

I laughed through that entire movie. I agree. Sometimes it's just awesome to hang out with that hard core type of character.

Sarah said...

Excellent point--it's easy to get stuck in a character rut. I do tend to write a lot of "gentlemen" (if you apply the definition REALLY loosely), but, being from Indiana, I know exactly the type you're talking about! Definitely worth writing about.

Stina said...

I tend to write the teen boy version of a gentlemen. A wounded teen boy version. But I think I'm going to have shake things up once in a while with the type you're talking about.

Unknown said...

I love those types of characters too. Sometimes they make the movie (book). We remember their antics best.

Lindsay N. Currie said...

I loved that movie LOL and agree with you 100%. Watching and listening is usually my best research:)

Unknown said...

I've just published a book set in Halloween - for children - and it goes into Norse mythology. Coped with the frightening bits for them by adding humour.

Vicki Rocho said...

I've never seen Zombieland. Is that a crime? :)

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Being quiet and simply observing others can stimulate so many new ideas for our writing. :)

I'm with Vicki! Is that a crime??

Anonymous said...

I now have the sudden urge to rewatch Zombieland! That movie was hilarious. I'm more of a Yosemite Sam gal, myself. :)

vic caswell said...

OHMYGOODNESS!!!
i LOVE zombieland SO MUCH!
*giggles maniacally*
where was i?
oh yes! great point about character ruts. i'm trying to claw my way out of that trap!

Old Kitty said...

I love me some bad boy with a heart of gold Yosemite Sam now and again. Sigh.

Then there's always James Bond.

:-) Take care
x

Theresa Milstein said...

I always fall for the quirky guy.

I haven't seen Zombieland. Maybe I should add it to my Netflix queue.

Hart Johnson said...

Did you hear my WAHOOOOO!

Gentlemen annoy me. I by FAR prefer a crusty, rough around the edges, coupla quirks anti-hero.

Carolyn Abiad said...

Haven't seen Zombieland. Guess I'd better put it on the to-do list. :)

Pat Hatt said...

So true, sometimes it's just fun to be around them. And they aren't bad to have around when zombies are attacking either.haha

LTM said...

@Lindsay--I think it helps you with the details. And definitely with dialogue. :o) <3

@Liz--Yay! Rewatch. It's so fun. Very gross, but a real writer's movie. JRM says it's a rom-com. With zombies. ;p

Dawn Ius said...

Damn, you just reminded me that I need to rent that movie.
You also reminded me that last week, I had a killer craving for a Twinkie and I could not find one ANYWHERE. I scored a fake Twinkie...not the same. xo

Bish Denham said...

Have not seen Zombieland...but them I'm not into zombies. But maybe for Woody Harrelson I'll make an exception.

Shannon said...

You know, I've never seen Zombieland. Looks like I'll have to add that one to my queue. Love that you're always thinking about characters. :)

Unknown said...

I've never been to the deep south! whaaa...and southern SciFi sounds delicious, so go write'em!

Kelly Polark said...

I still need to see that movie!!!
I'm so behind on movies...

Anonymous said...

LOL! I didn't see this movie, but I love this post!!!!

Janet Johnson said...

Now you got me drooling for a twinkie.

And I haven't even heard of this movie. I lead a very sheltered life (no tv).

Tracy Jo said...

Lol! I just watched the trailer of the movie...now I need to see it. Last week when we were out on the town in Minneapolis - their were zombies everywhere! They were trying to break some Guinness record. Talk about observing and finding new characters! I could have used a little Woody. :-)

DEZMOND said...

Speaking of zombies, hope you watched the premiere of THE WALKING DEAD on AMC last night :) It's broadcast around the world today (in about five minutes) and I'm excited to watch it :)

Unknown said...

Sorry I'm late! I've been up since 2am, but that's okay! I can't believe there is a single person left who hasn't seen the beauty that is Zombieland!

Someone's ear is in danger of having hair brushed over it...

Also-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zombieland-Quotes/227772287234903?sk=wall

PK HREZO said...

Hey Leigh! It's taken me far too long to get over here. Sorry 'bout that, lil lady. :)
You know, I've been wanting to do a Zombieland post for awhile now. I friggin loved it. First off, I LOVE Woody. Just don't see him enough these days. I was a fan back in the Cheers days. This Tallahassee roll was just how I like him, too... all southern and sassy. He's such a hoot.
I got to hang with him and Bill Murray one night at a cast and crew party here in FLA. It was so great and they are both really fun, really real guys who remembered my name thruout the night. They're great buds. SO when Bill showed up in Zombieland I was so tickled.
But back to your post, I agree. I do like gentlemen and appreciate that manner, especially after having some scoundrels in my life to deal with. But gosh darn scoundrels are sexy.
Take Sawyer and Jack on Lost. It's a hard toss up. Jack is the better guy thru and thru, but man oh man does Sawyer turn me on. LOL
(Hubby and I are just watching the seasons on DVD and never watched it on prime time. We just started season 4. )

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I love that movie and yep, Woody plays such a cool character.
(I've never tried a Twinkie)

LTM said...

Wow, P. You're like my superstar hero meeting Bill Murray like that. He's #1 on the guest list for The Party! :D And 'bout time you're catching up w/the L O S T. Yep, the scoundrel v. the gentleman. It was always thus~ ;p <3

Julie Musil said...

You didn't talk a lot? What??? LOL

Wild characters crack me up, and are the most memorable. I think a south-Mississippi sci-fi is just what this market needs :D

Lydia Kang said...

Sometimes it's those not so usual characters you invent that end up stealing the show. You are too funny Leigh. I love your posts!

Patti said...

I think I may need to see that movie.

KM Nalle said...

I just watched that movie for the first time. Once I started watching, I surprised myself by not being able to stop. Zombies aren't really my thing, but it was so dang funny.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

south-Mississippi sci-fi
Oh man, I would SO read that.

My brother had to force me to watch Zombieland (don't care for zombies or horror films), but I'm so glad I did. Because it's awesome! :)

Talli Roland said...

I hear you! Sometimes you need to mix it up a bit. And I'm with Summer - I want to read the Mississippi sci-fi!

Anonymous said...

Love that Yosemite Sam character. Always one of my favorites. Do they still make twinkies? I think they can survive nuclear wars.

Michelle Merrill said...

Bahaha. Love the "Dropped mah hankey!" I love that there are so many different character's. Really, among all the "dropped mah hankey" they are still all different. But I love the sound of the hummer lovin' man in your hidden WIP. I say get it out and get it polished :)

LTM said...

@Stephen--they do indeed, my friend! Love me a Twankie! ;p (and I think you're right about that nuclear thing...)

Lola Sharp said...

I'm slightly embarrasses to tell you how many movies I can quote, like, as in THE ENTIRE movie. Needless to say, Zombieland is one of them. (as is The Hangover, and Clueless, and The Heathers, and Blade Runner, Steel Magnolias, and... etc., etc., ... and some TV shows, like Gilmore Girls, Arrested Development, etc...the list is rather long)
Sometimes, my husband, daughter (she's 15) and I actually converse/communicate in move/TV quotes. (I suppose I just outed us as freaks *sigh)

Me: Let's play the Quiet Game.
Daughter: What's your damage, Heather?!
Me: Just get in the car.
Husband (while we're all buckling our seat belts) (singing...badly): And we're the three best friends that anyone could have.

Yeah. Don't judge.

I lovesss me some quirky characters! ;)

Huggles,
Lola

Portia said...

Loved the rules in Zombieland. And I agree, the simplicity of man searching for his twinkie is fun, especially when his deeper character is eventually revealed. :-)

DL Hammons said...

I have an affinity for the type of character you mention. He main not be the main character, but there will always be at least one in the novels I write. They are scene stealers...and rightfully so! :)