Inspired by craziness…
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So, here’s the image that got me thinking this week-
No, not the birth of the new Prince. Though if a Royal happens to read my blog, may I wish heartfelt congratulations!
If Tony Appleton hadn’t landed the “official” town crier gig, that officer behind him would probably be summoning the loony limo, instead of looking professionally disinterested. I lived in Boston for ten years-a city with no shortage of lunatics. Wander around the Public Garden, Boston Common, Kenmore Square, Quincy Market or ride the T and you’re sure to be entertained, perhaps shocked, maybe even a bit frightened.
Crazy is fascinating. OCD, bipolar, manic, schizophrenic. Labels don’t tell the whole story. Not even close. But they sometimes help the rest of the world understand why the person who “looks” more or less normal on the outside seems to be anything but on the inside.
I’m certainly not alone. Writers from Shakespeare to Stephen King share my enjoyment of the unhinged character.
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People whose perspective is warped, a little or a lot, harmlessly or not, lend unpredictability to a story. Exploring their psyches takes a reader on an adventure–maybe a magical stroll through an enchanted forest or a terrifying race through a haunted house, whose closets conceal hideous, blood-thirsty monsters.
My current WIP has two major characters and two minor characters (so far), whose operating systems are a little screwed up. When a person’s motivations are based on a distorted inner reality, there’s plenty of opportunity for mayhem. Or, “fun”, as I like to call it.
Do you like a little crazy in your stories?
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Rhiann Wynn-Nolet 
Oh, I do! I love crazy in my stories, and peeps with quirks in my life. And I think the world at large does too. It seems to be the latest trend on film these days–the MC is often a bit “socially challenged” in the most arresting way. 😛 After all, what’s a character without a little bit of ‘character’?
Looking forward to reading about yours one day. 🙂
And I’m looking forward to reading about your quirky dragons and their people too 🙂
I definitely love a little crazy. It’s always interesting to see how it pans out, although often it’s sad or frightening (that can be well done, though).
Yes, it certainly can lead to tragic endings. So far my books have happy endings (at least for the MCs), but you never know…
I wrote a couple of unhinged characters for my trilogy, but they were all antagonists. It wasn’t until my last ms that I dipped my toe into the crazy pond with a protagonist. It was sometimes frightening and even shocking once or twice, but it was always interesting. By the end I was feeling a bit warped myself. Luckily it was a tale of redemption. Fun stuff, Rhiann!
Oh, I like that expression “dipped my toe into the crazy pond”, lol.
I think everyone’s got a little crazy going on inside, and it’s fun to read about loony characters and the unexpected things they do.
Yes, it’s therapeutic in a way, channeling your inner psycho, bwahaha.
I love villains. And I’m guilty of making them too one-dimensional simply because, I love villains. The badder the better.
Now have “Bad to the Bone” in my head…
Wait, doesn’t everyone have a bit of crazy? Or is that just me? Hmmm …
I love characters like that. It throws things out of balance, in a wonderful way.
I was hoping you hadn’t noticed *shifty eyes*
I agree with you on this one Rhiann – people who’re mentally unhinged can definitely make for engaging protagonists in our writing. I have bipolar disorder, but I’m being treated for it and I’m able to lead a normal life – minus the craziness thank goodness! Because as interesting as it can be to those outside, it’s not a lot of fun when you’re experiencing it. Or at least sometimes it can be but at others it’s really not. Great post.
Better living through chemistry indeed. So glad you’re able to manage your mental health, and totally agreed, living with any kind of disorder can be really difficult.
Crazy? Heck, no. All my characters are perfectly sane and normal 🙂
I saw that crier on TV. I thought it was a hoot that he slid right in and announced the birth, though he was technically the official crier. He is one wild man.
I wonder if he practices at home…he’s probably single.
Crazy is the spice of life–it’s great to have a little, so long as it doesn’t overwhelm the dish! lol I love having characters with a different take on reality, and especially love to have that play a role in the story’s plot arc turning out as it should!
Yes, all things in moderation, we have to make sure the “sane” reader can connect with our characters after all 😉
Interesting! This made me realize that I’ve never written a story featuring a character with a diagnosed mood disorder. I should do that!
Yes! DO EEET!!!
I like crazies in my books (the ones I read at least), but I don’t really like them in my movies. A little too creepy, I guess.
Yes, larger than life/big screen crazies ARE super scary, lol.
I do like me some crazy from time to time. Come to think of it, there’s a little crazy in each of my stories in one form or another. Muwahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course there is! I would expect it of you 😉
LOVE crazy people! Not just the crazy people themselves, but also the reactions they illicit from everyone around them. There’s a great opportunity to show the kind of person someone is by how they react to craziness!
Yes, exactly!
Niiice. Love me some crazy! <333
Crazy-cat lady 🙂