Monday, December 5, 2016

The Doctor Who Couldn't Find His Brain

I figure not everyone would want to see an image of a brain, 
so here's the idea instead.

Someone told me that since I’m a writer, all of my posts should be advice for other authors. Who am I to give advice? I can write about what works (or doesn’t) for me, but I’m no expert.

This blog is for readers, too, so sometimes I might write about the funnier side of things, or vent a little about things that annoy me, like political correctness. I try to relate everything to writing, but in all honesty, sometimes I’m fudging.

Sometime back I wrote about a friend who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, not a funny thing. However, two things she told me stuck with me and I’m recreating them from an earlier post.

The first was that when the doctor told her about the tumor, she started to laugh. He told her it wasn’t funny, and she kept laughing. It was a reaction. We don’t always react the way people think we should. Okay, keep that in mind when creating situations in books.

The other story she told me cracked me up. The neurosurgeon who would do the surgery wanted to show her the logistics, using an artificial brain. He said he didn’t like the one in the exam room and he’d bring in his own artificial brain. The next thing she knew, he was out in the hallway, upset and saying, “Who took my brain? Where’s my brain? Would someone please return my brain?”

I don’t know if he was trying to lighten the mood or if he was serious, but my friend cracked up.

That’s not the end of the story.

The doctor finally gave up and returned to the exam room to use the artificial brain he didn’t like to show her what was what. He picked it up and the parts started falling off. While he talked, he calmly reached down and replaced the fallen parts of the brain.

Funny stuff.
Another repeat story is about a friend who writes romance novels. Many years ago she wrote her first book, a contemporary romance, and she’s quite talented. Unfortunately, when she submitted it the publisher told her she had to include sex scenes in a contemporary romance story. My friend was an older woman and maybe a bit straight-laced. However, she was determined to give it a shot.

She was well into a sex scene when she realized that her fingers were flying on the keyboard, but she was looking out the window, across the room and in the air. She couldn’t look at what she was typing. Her arms were extended and she was sitting as far away from the keyboard as possible.

I couldn’t help picturing this in my mind and it struck me funny. I don’t know if she appreciated me laughing or not, but she told the story so well.

She scrapped the book and went on to write some Regency romances in which she didn’t have to include sex. This was several years ago, and she’s moved on. She can now write about sex without looking away.

So are you wondering why I told these two stories? To entertain you. That’s it. Maybe you don’t find them to be funny, but they cracked me up.

What do these stories have to do with writing? Not much, except they’re a reminder that anything that happens in life can happen in a book, too. Of course, there will always be a reader who will say, “Pooh! That’s not believable.” Sure it is. Life can sometimes be much stranger than fiction.

My advice for this week? Don’t overthink what you read or what you write. You can drive yourself nuts with rewriting sometimes. Believe me, I know from experience.

Until next time, think of some of the funnier things that have happened in your life. They help offset the not so funny times.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
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Remember, books make great Christmas gifts, and it’s that time of year. Make someone happy!

17 comments:

  1. I truly believe that, if we lose our sense of humor, we die. Or, at least, a part of us does. An important part. The part that reminds us not to take life (and ourselves) so seriously.
    I loved the post and I love the humor in your books!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! I'd be lost without humor, and that includes the humor of others. It makes my day to know I can make you laugh once in a while. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  2. I don't think authors ought to blog for other writers. I've yet to find a writer who wants my advice. No, blog for your readers. They are you real support group.

    Life is amusing, even in its final act. If we dan't laugh at ourselves -- who CAN we laugh at?

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    1. You're absolutely right, Dac. We have to laugh at ourselves to keep on going. : ) Besides, I'm running out of topics if stick to writing for writers. I've been at this for some time. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  3. Someone wiser than me said laughter is the best medicine. I truly believe that. Better to laugh at yourself than someone else, too. I know I've done some dumb things worth laughing about--maybe not at the time, but later when I've thought about them.

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    1. I do dumb things all the time, John. I give my daughter lots of laughs, whether I mean to or not. : ) I think laughter keeps us young. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  4. I agree with Dac. I would be the last person to give advice to writers. I try to write about books, my favorite authors, my family, funny experiences in my life. I've always enjoyed your blogs, Marja, and your humor.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! We can probably relate almost anything to writing, but I'd rather enjoy the blog than have a lesson. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  5. Thanks for the funny blog, Marja. Sometimes we all need a good laugh. I know what you mean about how rewriting can make you crazy. Been there, too.

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    1. Thank you, Evelyn! Sometimes we rewrite to the point where we lose the point of the scene. I did that once and learned my lesson. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  6. Marja, As always, a great post. I agree with Dac that authors shouldn't blog for other writers. My blog is geared towards readers. On Novelspaces, I blog for writers. Readers have a certain amount of curiosity about the writing process, but it's limited.

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    1. Great reply, Maggie! I'd rather entertain people than offer advice. Yes, I can relate a lot of subjects to writing, but like I said, I'm no expert. We each do what works best for us. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  7. You made me laugh. Thanks I will be telling your friends brain story to anyone who will listen.

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    1. Thank you, Jake, and I'm glad I could make you laugh. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  8. Marja, I LOVED this post. Smiling, and have put in my brain,"Don’t overthink what you read or what you write." Hope it sticks this time...

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    1. Thank you, Madeline! At least you know where your brain is. LOL I'm glad I could offer something that might help. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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    2. Madeline, I have to add that your stories never read like you overthought anything. Excellent writing!

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