Everything I Know About Writing I Learned from Dr. Sheldon Cooper

Who is Dr. Cooper? Was he a writing professor who inspired me to think outside the box? A former lover who jilted me and I eviscerate in fiction? Is it the name of my sister’s cat (who by the way, is trying to kill me)?

Actually, Dr. Cooper is the main character of a popular US TV comedy called “The Big Bang Theory,” and in honor of the name of the “Big Bang” book tour, I wanted to give this ode to Dr. Cooper.

While I know the show is available internationally, first, for those of you not familiar with the sit-com “The Big Bang Theory,” it centers around two roommates (Dr. Leonard Hofsteader and Dr. Sheldon Cooper) who are physicists at the California Institute of Technology.  (I don’t think the university is ever really named in the series, but it heavily hinted that it is Cal Tech.) Of course, there are the numerous humorous situations contrasting their brilliance with social awkwardness--particularly with Sheldon’s obsessive-compulsive personality and Leonard’s love affair with the intellectually average resident across the hall. I’m usually not a fan of sit coms, but this is a very clever and witty show.

So we can all enjoy the antics and inspiration of Dr. Cooper, I’ve included some video files that correspond with the lessons Sheldon has taught me. (and for the record, the clips are rated between PG and PG-13). 

So.. off we go.

1. You are the best writer in the entire world and no one recognizes your brilliance. Just kidding. You suck. BAZINGA!

Sheldon is so “robot-like,“ Bazinga is what Sheldon says so people will know he is kidding. The point is---as writers, we tend to either take ourselves too seriously or not seriously enough. Writing stories may be therapeutic, but it’s not the place to build your self esteem or find religion. While writing does help us discover things about ourselves (and thus making it a highly personal venture), regardless of success or failure, we must remain grounded. The bottom is line is that there will always be writers who are less talented than you who will become famous and there will always be writers who are more talented than you who will never be financially successful. That’s unfair, but that’s life. Compare yourself with others and you’ll always be…well, “Bazinga’d”

And here’s Sheldon to remind us:

2. Don’t try to be what you’re not.

Find your voice. Don’t try to write a vampire story because vampires are hot right now. Or erotica because it’s hot right now (pun intended). If the writing is forced, the reader will know it. I believe God has gifted everyone in different ways. Embrace those gifts. Don’t look at what others have done.

 

This leads to one of my favorite exchanges when Howard--trying to be what he was not--dressed up to go to a Goth bar. But first, he needed to stop at Walgreens to buy more eyeliner. This leads to one of my favorite exchanges:

Leonard:  I think they're going to get beat up at that Goth bar.

Penny: I think they're going to get beat up at Walgreens.

3. Readers like to use their imaginations. Let them.

Sheldon’s co-worker Howard lives with his annoying mother. However, the viewers never actually SEE Howard’s mother, they only hear her (Similar to the way viewers never saw “Marist” in “Frazier.”) The best part is this allows viewers to use their own imagination---the images in their minds are better than anything a special effects crew can dream up.

Yes, use description. Yes, use it well. Yes, make your characters real…but realize at the same time, less is sometimes more.

4. Don’t drink if you can’t hold your liquor.

Poor Dr. Cooper. Such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol. Of course, what this means for writing is that you need to know what you do well, and what you don’t. Don’t be afraid to look at yourself with a critical eye. Work on “problem” areas, and get feedback from other writers whose opinion you trust.

And don’t drink before giving speeches, or it may end up on YouTube:

5. There are always plenty of ball pits.

Ah yes, those big ball pits that children love to play in, probably blissfully unaware of how many germs they are spreading. It’s far too easy to become stingy with ideas. We’re afraid that creativity is like a swimming pool---we will eventually drain it dry. Actually, it’s more like an ocean that ebbs and flows and rises and falls. The more we exercise our creativity, the more we have.

As Dr. Cooper shows---there are always plenty of brightly colored ideas to use. No need to worry about running out…until it’s time to go home.

Thanks for letting me take a bit of a diversion here. You can find out more about me on my website, www.dawndeannawilson.com. 

Thanks to all our wonderful blog hosts.

I’ll leave you with this tribute to the best of Sheldon Cooper--BAZINGA.

Happy new year.

If I were a superhero? Oh yeah....

If you were a superhero what would your name be?

I would be White Trash. All the garbage of the world must do my bidding, and I can mold it into airplanes and attack cobras and cool stuff like that. Plus, every time I use my powers, I reduce landfill waste by 10 percent.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Other than the ability to make George Clooney fall in love with me? Well, it would have to be the ability to stop/manipulate time. That would be awesome. Stop time, take a nap, do some shopping, get the gym to yourself, then start it again. Also, I could make fun things (like Christmas) last longer and unpleasant things (like yearly exams) go faster.

Hmm... I may even work on a rough sketch here. Anyone interested for the "Adventures of White Trash"

 

My most rewarding experience since becoming published...

My first book was “Saint Jude,” which was about a teen with bipolar disorder. It was traditionally published by a small indie publisher (when the rights reverted to me, I put it on Kindle.) My publisher forwarded a letter that was written to me from a teen in Pennsylvania who had found the book at her high school library. She had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she felt that the characters in the book made her feel like she was not alone.

The bottom line is that’s why we write. It’s not to make the big bucks or win the Pulitzer Prize (though that would be fantastic). C.S. Lewis said we write to know we are not alone. If my book reaches one person and makes him/ her smile or laugh, then it is worthwhile. As writers, we must never lose sight of the significance of stories.

The Dream Cast for 10K New Year's Eves...

There are few things more fun than casting your book!

Mallory, the girl with synesthesia (a condition where you see words as colors), would be  Elizabeth Moss (Peggy from “Mad Men”)

David, the infatuated psychologist, would be James Franco

Rochelle, the “Saint Francis in a leather jacket” would be Hillary Swank

River, the schizophrenic kayaker, would be Natalie Portman

Stephen, the washed-up (former) Christian rock singer would be Jake Gyllenhaal (true story: I once briefly worked with his uncle. )

Liam, the creepy blind dude, would be David Tennant (of Doctor Who. Look him up. He’s talented and gorgeous. I’d watch him read the phone book for two hours. )

Wendy, the gospel singer, would be Jennifer Hudson

Tad, NYPD wanna be, would be Matthew McConaughey (because I think he’s a closet redneck)

Although I do not consider myself an overtly devotional writer, there is a hymn that figures strongly throughout the entire piece because of its lyrics about seeking redemption.  It’s “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I prefer the upbeat, acoustic, version by Jadon Lavik found here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDYKZnf-eYY&feature=related

Questions from latest virtual book tour: part three

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

I can see myself in all my characters. Essentially, all characters are an extension of the author---maybe not ALL of the author, but still, the characters have certain facets of our personality. I think the best characters represent the deep fear we have within ourselves, the dark side we have that we are afraid to show anyone.

What's the craziest writing idea you've had?

In college I wrote a short story about a woman who wakes up and discovers Satan in her bathroom taking a shower. I converted it into a one-act play and it won a contest and was given a full production.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Don’t mistake things that are urgent for things that are important.

Hidden talent?

I can play the didgeridoo.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

The remake of The Great Gatsby. I can assure you, I’m quite obsessed with that book (as a quick look at my blog would show you.) Mr. DiCaprio, while I have the utmost confidence in you, Do. Not. Screw. This. Up.

Which authors have influenced you most how?

Three in particular: 1—Rod Serling. I remember back in 7^th grade being fascinated by old “Twilight Zone” reruns on PBS. He had that innate sense of human nature, and a keen grasp on what frightens us. 2—Ray Bradbury. His stories were so “out there,” so fantastically science fiction and even a bit philosophical. 3—Flannery O’Connor. There’s something about her take on the Southern experience that is both grotesque and religious at the same time. Her story, “The River,” is my all-time favorite.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

South Park. It’s so crude, vulgar and politically incorrect…and I still laugh out loud.

Favorite places to travel?

I’m a real Anglophile. I love all things British---the accent, the cathedrals, the literature. Any culture in the world can produce one Shakespeare, or one Churchill or one Beatles. Somehow, this tiny, soggy island in the North produced all three. And then some. I’ve been to England twice and hoping to go again in the Spring, taking a stop by Scotland (and any Brits out there, contact me and I’ll treat you to a “cuppa.”)

Breaking Bad meets Downton Abbey

This TV spin off is a dream of mine...born of Nyquill, a sinus infection,and coffee.

All pics by me. Enjoy. Preferably with Gatorade ...

I need some beta readers

I have compiled a book of abstract drawings based on classic literature . It is FREE through Sunday night the 23rd on Amazon.

I had to hard code a lot of the HTML on this, and I am very rusty at that. Let me know if the formatting is wonky...you can leave a comment on this blog. Thanks. The link is below.

http://www.amazon.com/Lit-Pics-Drawing-Literature-ebook/dp/B009BE8ZWG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1348329379&sr=8-6&keywords=Lit+pics