It's Time to Lighten Things Up and Forget Political Correctness - Me and Porky Pig

Between the economy and the world being in a state of angst, just for this week I’d like to forget about those things. So silly is in.

If you could be any cartoon character you’ve ever seen, which one would it be? I have to admit I’d like to be Porky Pig, even though I’m a girl. After all, I write mysteries that are light reading with a little humor. Can you imagine Porky Pig trying to solve a mystery?

One of my favorite memories is of the aforementioned pig and Daffy Duck visiting a haunted house. As I recall, it was a dark and stormy night, and I have remember them standing on a dock watching a spooky old house. My memory may be faulty, but that’s how I recall the beginning of the story.

Imagine writing a human character with Porky’s characteristics. Not believable, huh? People stutter, and people become frustrated just like Porky. There are plenty of loud mouths like Daffy. If you think about it, maybe cartoon characters aren’t all that outrageous.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello could have been human cartoon characters. Some of the whacky things they did in the movies could rival Porky and Daffy.

Think of Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse or Goofy. In all honesty, haven’t you known someone in your lifetime with similar characteristics? I have.

I remember once when I worked in law enforcement, I turned away from the counter to answer the phone, stepped in to a wastebasket and dragged it across the room with me. The people at the counter were feeling a little annoyed because I happened to be the only one in the office during the lunch hour and they wanted to finish their business and leave. After seeing my little incident, everyone calmed down, had a good laugh and waited their turn with good humor. That sounds like a Porky Pig moment to me.

People need to be able to laugh at themselves like I did that day. Characters in books need to laugh at themselves from time to time, too. I’m a big believer in looking for humor whenever and wherever possible.

In the Sandi Webster series there’s a character named Stanley Hawks. Stanley is a klutz. When Sandi and her partner, Pete, first met him they had two different reactions. Pete initially thought he was a loser. Sandi, on the other hand, found him to be endearing as he tripped over nothing when he entered the office. Initial reactions to someone can be so unfair. As Pete came to know Stanley, he found him to be a good and loyal friend, and the two men could laugh together over some of Stanley’s antics. I find it quite interesting to see how fictional characters grow and change, just like real people.

Stanley wasn’t based on a cartoon character, but a cartoon character could have been based on him. (Honestly, this klutzy guy is based a little on myself.)

Elmer Fudd has a speech impediment. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have been quite as loveable and funny when he referred to that “wascally wabbit”. Yosemite Sam was in a class by himself. How about Foghorn Leghorn and Henry Hawk?

So back to my original question. What cartoon character would you like to be? Send real life on a well-deserved break and spend a few minutes thinking about my question. You can even choose to be Snow White or one of the dwarves. Prince Charming? How  about Tweety Bird or Sylvester?

Could you write your choice as a fictional character in one of your books? Or do you think you most resemble your choice?

Hopefully, this silly post took you away from your day-to-day cares for at least a few minutes.

Until next week, Th-Th-That’s All Folks!

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In Bubba's Ghost - A Sandi Webster Mystery, Bubba the dog thinks the house might be haunted. You might want to check it out.