 Drama: May 08, 2013 Issue [#5656] |
  Drama
This week: The Value of Friendship Edited by: Kit  
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Romance is the center point of many novels. It is easy to see why - romantic relationships can stir many emotions in both characters and readers. However, the usefulness of friendship should not be underestimated.
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about friendship.
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Friendship is an important part of our life experience. From our earliest days, we tend to bond with others outside of our family circle. These connections teach us about differences and similarities. My primary school class, for example, was quite diverse and through the friends I made there I learned about different faiths and cultures. I also learned that these differences were fascinating, and that they needn't stand in the way of enjoying people's company.
There are many lessons to be learned through friendship. Over the years, I have come to accept that as much as you want to be “best friends forever”, this often doesn't happen. People come and go. I occasionally exchange a message with my best friend from high school, and I enjoy that contact, but I haven't got a clue what the others are up to these days.
Some friends will support you during times of need. Many will back away. There are those who are loyal and faithful, whilst a few are friendly to your face and rather different behind your back. Some require constant attention and then there's the rare gem who may drift away, but as soon as you reconnect you simply carry on where you left off.
There are friendships that turn into more, and there are those that weather every storm, and last through decades. My grandmother had a friendship like that. It lasted for over 50 years until, sadly, the lady passed away.
Friendship, then, is a great tool for a writer. A lot of focus tends to be on romance, but a character's support network, or lack thereof, can provide the reader with valuable insight.
Consider, for example, Elizabeth's friend Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice. The two are quite different in temper, but that does not stand in the way of their relationship. Initially, though, Elizabeth does not understand why Charlotte would marry Mr. Collins – a man she rejected. This helps to highlight the differences between them, and the situation women found themselves in during that time. Elizabeth wants love. Charlotte wants security. Whilst arguably Elizabeth ends up with the better marriage, her friend finds her own source of contentment.
In Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, the friendship between Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg is intriguing. The two appear to be polar opposites. Granny Weatherwax lives on her own and she is quite a serious, no-nonsense person. Nanny Ogg is the head of a large family and she loves to have a laugh. They irritate the other, they disagree, they approach different situations in different ways, yet they rely on one another. And when it comes to it, they are not that different after all. They are both strong women with a whole lot of courage.
One friendship I find especially endearing is the one between Orry Main and George Hazard, in the North and South trilogy by John Jakes. Orry comes from South Carolina and his family owns a plantation. George comes from Pennsylvania and his family is in the iron industry. The two meet when both are about to become cadets at West Point. Over the years, the friendship between the families strengthens, but it is not without its challenges. Tensions between the north and the south rise, and eventually lead to war. It takes a lot for the bond between the two men to survive their different loyalties and obligations.
A character's friend can play a supporting role or be a main character in their own right, as in the example of George and Orry. They can be annoying, caring, help the main character along or hinder them. They can assist relationships or tear them apart.
Returning to Pride and Prejudice, the influence of Mr. Darcy over his friend Charles Bingley hinders the blossoming relationship Charles has with Jane. Although Mr. Darcy is only trying to protect his friend, his interference is misplaced and causes pain. Fortunately, it all works out in the end. This exposes a certain side of Mr. Darcy, and it is a part of his development throughout the book.
For a drama writer, friendship can help bring your characters to life, and, if desired, can be used to stir emotions in your readers. So my advice is – don't merely focus on romance, as enjoyable as it may be. Allow friends to have a look-in, too. You won't regret it.
kittiara
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The Drama Newsletter welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
fullquiver  - Kittiara,
Thank you for choosing my story as one of your editor's picks this week. I feel so honored, especially because I am new to WDC and this is one of my first submissions. I feel greatly encouraged to keep writing my stories!
I am learning so much here and I am also enjoying your tips and the stories of other authors. I am so glad I found WDC!
Fullquiver
Welcome to Writing.Com, Fullquiver! I am glad that you are enjoying it here . This is a wonderful site. I've been here for nine years now, and am still discovering new things and getting to know excellent authors!
And, you are welcome! I like it when I spot newer members with talent, and feel that they should get some exposure!
~~~
williampadgett - Thanks so much for including my "Ode to Helen" in the Editor's Pick List. I am honored!
I really enjoyed this article. Kittiara is right on target!
I believe us readers need characters we can relate to; situations like the ones we stumble over in our own lives; resolutions that mean something to us; and, among many other "familiar parts", places we can visualize and be comfortable in.
I believe we writers must supply that if we hope to connect with our readers.
Sometimes we get difficult assignments, but if we can give our reader some familiar landmarks, we can write in nearly any genre. Ever done the "15 by 15" contest? Try the "Steampunk" prompt on its day!!! But, using the familiar, you can write it!
Thank you for your kind words, and you are welcome!
I am new to Steampunk and haven't yet written in that genre, but I recently reviewed an item written by jack-tyler and enjoyed it. I may give it a try some day!
~~~
Mark Allen Mc Lemore - Great newsletter, yes familiarity is very important. It is almost like a universal language. It keeps the writers engaged in what the characters are doing, and sometimes allows our readers to become our characters- our heroes and our villains!
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it. And I fully agree with you!
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SantaBee  - Loved your newsletter this week. I just wanted to say, I think what binds all those locales together that you mentioned, along with the creativity is the characters and the emotional journey they take. If we aren't convinced the characters are "real" emotionally, then taking the journey along with them loses it's appeal.
That is a good point, and I fully agree with you. The characters and their emotional journey are key. The setting/world they find themselves in comes secondary to that.
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J. A. Buxton  - Thank you for listing my semi-autobiographical novella in your newsletter. It took me decades to get the courage to write the first two chapters, but I felt such a relief after posting them back in 2008. The remaining chapters were much easier since they were purely from my imagination.
I can imagine that it took a lot for you to write those chapters. I think you are very brave, and I am glad to hear that getting that out helped a bit. You have shown that you are strong, and that strength will keep on helping you.
~~~
Gaby  - Good newsletter, Kit! I've watched Dawson's Creek when it first aired. I liked it, but it never turned into a favorite show really. I've never watched One Tree Hill and just recently decided to see it because it was on the Soap box, right from its beginning. I didn't like it before but this time I was in love with those characters. I think it's the same thing with a book. They can get better if you read them at a certain time in life, because your perspective changes. Someone once said everyone should read each book three times. Teenage years, past their twenties and in old age. Each time it will affect you differently.
I have never watched One Tree Hill. Oh dear. I really shouldn't start yet another series  .
I definitely agree with you. As you change and grow, you will see characters in a new light and relate to them in new ways. You gain understanding of their motives, and they will affect you differently, as you say.
That is why there are some novels I know I will read again!
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team
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