Been playing kickball with this one lately.

Whoever is telling the story and how it is being told, should be critical issues for the writer to consider. The tone, the feelings and ultimately the true meaning of the piece can be dramatically controlled, simply by focusing on whoever is between the reader and the action.

Take "Taxi Driver", the 70's movie, where Robert De Niro plays the role of cabbie, Travis Bickle. Paul Schrader wrote the screenplay, Martin Scorsese directed.

Now, who is between the viewer and the action? Travis Bickle, the character, correct? That is who we hold directly accountable, in this case, not the other three gentlemen.

Well now, let me bring it on around. When you submit a piece, and I, the reader am following along, is that you, the author that I am hearing with my mind's eye?(Sorry about that), or did you intend that to be a character in your story? Author or Character, that is the question.

Granted, most good writings on this site appear to come from first-hand experiences. The question begs to be asked - are you limiting yourself to other posibilities??

As you can probably tell by now, I vote in favor of character development.

What do you say?

(Inspired by recent conversations with my new friend and acquaintance, N.)

D

I started out with one opinion and then revised it on the bus. I do a lot of thinking on the bus. At end, I think people should experiment with points of view, dialogue, styles, structure, etc. while they are trying to find their way to their own true and unique voice. History is full of famous writers who copied elements of other writers early in their careers, and then developed their own approach which became their own distinctive style. The same is true of any artist, of course. Part of the learning curve is imitating someone you take a fancy to. Now, after you've shown how clever you are about imitating someone else, I think then its time to focus in on your own style and how you want to communicate what you have to say. Some people like to develop character. Some people prefer complex plots. Some people focus on the lyrical sound of the words. And that's what's right for the writer and the writer's audience. I don't think there is a right or wrong to any of this. It is what the story or the idea calls for and what you as a writer want to accomplish. Those are my bus thoughts for what they are worth, which isn't much.