Monday, October 10, 2011

When the Revolution Starts

Over the weekend, I chatted with a friend about the "Occupy Wall Street" protests, and we both agreed it reminded us of the French Revolution.

I proposed the question: Who do you think will say, "Let them eat cake"? (You know, Marie Antoinette's infamous response when she was told, "The people have no bread"?)

Source
Supposedly that's a journalistic cliche, and the beheaded French queen never actually said those words. 

As for who'll demonstrate his/her cluelessness today, I like to think it'll be one of those Kardashians. 

But perhaps that's the writer in me.

My guy friends have always played the "when The Revolution starts" game whenever another of our friends does anything militia-ish (like purchases a big truck or moves to a remote location or mentions owning a gun).

Example: "We'll all be in so-in-so's barn with the gun collection when The Revolution starts." (laughs)

I don't actually know anyone with a gun collection, but I have been pondering my lack of fire-starting skills. The last time I thought of it when I watched that Tom Hanks movie where he was trapped on that island. 

You know, in Castaway. I'dve never got that fire going.

To bring all this nervous laughter around to writing, I was also thinking this weekend about how popular dystopain fiction has become.

How did everyone know to start writing about the end of the world as we know it about two years ago?

I've never been one of those writers who tries to capture "Our Times," but here's my question: Is it possible our writing is always marked by what's going on around us? 

Like, even if we're spinning tales of romantic comedy, are they still laced with the meltdown of the global economy? Or something else?

I do know when the Revolution starts I'll be headed South. Those country boys can survive, and they all seem to know how to get a good fire going.

Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends. Stay safe. Til Thursday~ <3

39 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

LOL :o) Can I tag along with ya?

Old Kitty said...

Come the revolution,I hope to have a coconut head as my bestest friend!!!

And would like to think that writers are influenced by contemporary events even if it's unconsciously and/or perfunctory!

Take care
x

Vicki Rocho said...

OMG! I said the same thing to my husband the other day. I wouldn't be surprised if the protesters start congregating outside of Wall Street Wizards' homes.

Sarah said...

Yeah, of course we're influenced by our social and cultural context. And now the world is so huge because so many of us have instant access to information--we're soaked in it, and how can that not impact how we view the world and the stories we need to tell? Great (and funny) post!

Unknown said...

I would love a deserted island where there was quiet! I do think that our writing is reflected by what goes on around us. We are all trying to make sense or give meaning to the things that happen.

Stina said...

I think Canada's pretty safe (and Alaska too). The south might have the guns, but who wants to revolt in the freezing cold weather. ;)

Unknown said...

I have Dumpster City. We're prepared. LOL.

I've heard people (the media) rip on Occupy Wall Street because there is no clear focus. I just see that as a lot of angry people who desperately need things to change.

Anonymous said...

Ha! Great post! ;)

LTM said...

Thanks, LBD! Just having a little fun on a Monday~ :o) <3

Unknown said...

I do think we naturally take in the world around us and I'm so with you. I'm dragging my family in search of a troop of boy scouts!

At least I know how to cook over a fire even if I can't start one...

Sarah Ahiers said...

I love how you say "When the revolution starts" and in my family it's "When the apocalypse comes". Usually we mean the zombie apocalypse (zombpoc), but we have plans for many different kinds.

J.L. Campbell said...

Interesting stuff. The stuff happening around me definitely find ways to become part of my novels. I think I'd be writing in a vacuum if I didn't include some of that juicy stuff.

DEZMOND said...

I totally and absolutely support Occupy Wall Street mission! It's horrid how those greedy Wall Street morons influence not only your country but all of us who are gazillion of miles away.

M Pax said...

Part of the sci-fi genre is taking what's going on and projecting it into the future.

I'm surprised Occupy started this early, but figured at some point people would start pushing back.

Everyone out west here owns guns except me. Either I'm dead, or I have to suck up to my neighbors more.

Southpaw said...

I'm thinking mountains. A nice little hidely hole up in the mountains. Yup.

Unknown said...

I think that I'm enjoying the comments more than I'd ever be able to give comment wise... So maybe I should say ditto... ?

Kelly Polark said...

Our family seriously has a plan and a place to go if something big like that happens!

Ciara said...

It's so funny you bring up dystopian. I was told last weekend by and editor never to call my YA project that. Apparently, dystopian is dead. Who knew?

Lydia Kang said...

I think we're definitely influenced by all that, either consciously or subconsciously. Great post!

LTM said...

@Southie--as a bear, that would work perfectly for you! As a human, you could just turn into Grizzly Adams. Win-win! :D <3

@Ciara--already!!! Wow. Blink and you miss 'em. Shew. Thanks for the update! And welcome~ :o) <3

Hart Johnson said...

As for me, I'm headed west. I have people out west with enough property to live off the land. Here it is too concentrated... there won't be enough when the agri-complex fails.

I have two Armageddon novels that have been plotted going on two years because... wait for it... if you were paying attention, this has been in the cards since the Reagan Administration. The Clinton years of plenty were a fluke.

I know... Call me a cynic, but you can't borrow from the future like that without knowing somewhere in the back of your head that somebody will get stuck with the tab and BOY will they be pissed.

RaShelle Workman said...

Hi Leigh - I'll be in the basement when the revolution starts... Or, you know, dead. LOL =D

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I'll be eating cake. I want cake.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Is it possible our writing is always marked by what's going on around us?

Definitively YES. And in ways we really can't see at the time. Also: dystopians have been around a long time, so don't worry. And if the Mayans were right about 2012, you can tell me "I told you so" from the Deep South. :)

Anonymous said...

I was reading so many YA dystopians over the summer that I had to stop. While most of the books were awesome, the underlining messages were so depressing. I had dystopian overload and had to switch to something else.

P.S. Thank you so much for your support on Goodreads today for my 'lil books, Leigh. I really appreciate it!! :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Before two years ago dystopian was called something else... science fiction, but then, science fiction was a broad genre back then.

Matthew MacNish said...

When it comes to primitive survival skills, your two best options for fire starting are: metal match, and bowdrill. Really bowdrill is the best because you can find the ingredients anywhere.

Carolyn Abiad said...

See, that's why I appreciate the family I've got scattered all over the globe: Ding dong! Heeeeey there my dearest long lost (I think you're my cousin twice removed on my great-grandfather's side).

Options. Gotta have options. ;)

LTM said...

@Liz--LOL! It's time for the zombie Chicklit to wash away all the dystopian ennui! ;p And you're very welcome~ <3

Christina Lee said...

Hmmm.. guess we should have a plan of action over here. Maybe storing water is not enough :-)))

dolorah said...

I know lots of people with gun collections, but don't own one. I'd probably shoot myself; and I'm sure I'd never get a fire started either. That's what souther boys are for, right?

Hope you're having a good week Leigh.

........dhole

Angela said...

Well, I certainly hope it doesn't turn out like the French Revolution. That would be awful. And am I the only one that sees the irony in using social media (pioneered and run by big corporations) to protest wall street and big corporations?

Janet Johnson said...

Interesting enough, my in-laws have quite the gun collection. Guess I know where I'll be going.

And I think you're right. Society is reflected in literature. Even fairy tales do that (which is why I find them so fascinating!). And then once one books gets popular, the rest is history, right? I think Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now started this whole dystopian thing . . . which was definitely a reflection of the times (IMHO).

So wow, fascinating topic, NTM!

Creepy Query Girl said...

I never thought of that! I, having trouble keeping up with affairs in the US so I can't say that effects my writing but it's a good question! And you're right- those sutherners are freakishly resistant.

Tracy Jo said...

Lol! I wonder if there are classes on how to start fire? ;-) Or how about when the guy in the movie "Into the Wild" eats the wrong berry?? That would be me. One wrong berry.

Ella said...

I do think socially, we climb on board to what is in the now. I mean look at TV, trying to pile on all those comedies. I do think it does create a wave or a small ripple effect.

I love pondering posts ;D

D.G. Hudson said...

Enjoyed the post, and the humour.

I like the button for Susan's book in your sidebar, also.

As for the question, I don't write about current events like the economy, but I use observations on social behaviours of our times, and new scientific material when crafting stories.

Interesting questions.

LTM said...

@DG--Hey, thanks! And yes, can't wait for Susan's book. I read her other "Life, Liberty & Pursuit," and it was very, very good. Welcome~ :o) <3

Tours in Venice said...

Our surroundings defiantly effect us and our writing, whether it is contentious or not.