EXERCISE: Point of Revelation

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Tue, 02 Jul 2002 23:13:15 -0400

You've probably seen the advertisement -- a middle-aged man and woman are enjoying each other's presence, with yogurt playing a prominent part in their byplay, when the kids walk in.  "Mom!  Dad!"  or perhaps "My parents are so weird."

So, here's the plot.

Pick a time of revelation.  For example, realizing that our parents are sexually interested in each other.  Or that father doesn't always know best. Or that grandma is dead.  Or...

Now, put a scene around that, and some characters.

It's often the case that there is a first indication of the revelation (seeing parents entwined in the kitchen, perhaps), but the real impact comes later.

You could use the three-fold path suggested by "Difficult Conversations."  First, what really happened.  Second, how do I (the characters) feel about that.  Third, and most crucial, what does this say about who I am (the identity of the characters).

I like to think about how we realize something, and that changes us, and changes the way that we interact with others.  But it's up to you.

Write.  Tell us about a time when your characters learned that... and what did it mean to them?

(wow!  ministers can lie? What do you mean, Santa Claus is too drunk to sit with the kids?  aargh -- old people have sex too?  :-)