PurpleCar

(this is a re-write of a post I did back in November of 2007, which was deleted)

Researchers love to look at deviant behavior.  These are the things we do that fall outside the “normal” range of how most people usually act.  Sociology and Psychology scientists eat up odd human behavior like the desert does rain: they can’t ever get enough of it.

Sometimes your fiction needs a character with a secret.  Deviant behavior is a great place to start building that secret life for your character.  A deviant behavior with a lot of potential is Body Modification.  An abundance of research exists about body modification, so there are many different character traits to consider.  Many forms of body modification can stay hidden to your character’s family and friends.  The modification can add a plotline that can go many different ways.  E.g., if you are stumped because your choir girl Bess is too straight-laced (and boring) to steal the church collection plate (which you need her to do), then give her a secret life (a.k.a. subplot) filled with tattoo parlors and hidden piercings.  An Iron Maiden tattoo just above her genitals would add a bit of flavor to Miss Frumpy Solo Soprano now wouldn’t it?

Originally used solely for tribal rituals around the world, tattoos and piercings have leaked into the mainstream culture.  But it’s still a minority of people in that avidly participate in the sub-culture surrounding body modification.  This makes tattoos and pierces perfect fodder for secretly scandalous Bess.
People who engage in body manipulation are saying something about who they are and how they want to be seen, even if the tattoo or pierce is in a place where the sun don’t shine.  Bess knows the story behind the Maiden tat and it’s up to you, the author, to decide whether or not she reveals it to Reverend Bobby (who was *ahem* expecting a virgin) and your readers.

Is one of your characters a closeted body manipulator? Perhaps a tattoo scene is warranted in one of your plotlines. It can be humorous or serious, just make sure it gives your reader some insight into your character’s views of herself.  Even a slight mention of a tattoo or extra pierce when you are describing your character’s physical appearance may lend just enough mystery and depth to your character to keep your readers engaged.  Everyone loves to hear a good tattoo story, so they’ll keep reading if they think one is coming.

But be warned: If you mention the tattoo, you MUST tell the story behind it.  There’s an old adage credited to the Russian writer Anton Chekhov: “If in Act I you have a pistol hanging on the wall, then it must fire in the last act.” A character’s tattoo is the present-day version of Checkov’s gun.  In other words, don’t focus your reader’s attention on something unless they need to know it in order to figure out the story (or psychoanalyze the character).  Disobey this law and your deserted inbox will be drowning in aggravated reader emails for 40 days and 40 nights.

Speaking of which… Bess’s Maiden tattoo: what do YOU think the story is?  😉

Had fun yesterday on Twitter.  I was asking my Twitterverse if there was any anti American Greetings site with e-cards that were a bit more, how shall we say?  Real?

Lots of my villagers suggested http://someecards.com/ , which does have some great cards.  But they just aren’t raw enough.  Here were some of my suggestions:

PurpleCar: KeepinItReal cards:

“You are the meanest teacher I ever had and I hate you, but I’m sorry my mom keyed your Porsche. It’s a nice car.”

“You’re a total idiot and you really piss me off, but I got a ton of hits on my blog. Just wanted to say ‘Thanks.'”

“Son, I had bigger hopes for you, we both know this. But I have to admit, you’re an excellent janitor. Love, Dad.”

“We don’t talk for a reason. But you’re my brother and I’m sending you a birthday card to keep Mom off my back. H. B-day”

“You child is a selfish snot, but it must give you some pleasure to see her graduate from high school. Congratulations.”

“Hey man, we don’t like each other but I’m sorry your wife died. No one deserves to lose their obviously better half”

What would YOUR KeepinItReal E-Card say?

Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior

by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman

Doubleday Business (2008), Hardcover, 224 pages
ISBN: 9780385524382

PurpleCar’s Review:

Have you ever driven through a snowstorm, against all logic, to get to a meeting?  Held onto a tanking stock?  Reading Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior may help you understand why.  An easy read in the style of The Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell), Sway uses anecdotes and popular psychology research to outline some common behavioral pitfalls.   Although the book lacks in-depth analysis and contradictory research to be considered serious academic fair, it gives familiar examples of illogical actions in the face of mounting evidence.  Sway explains concepts like loss aversion, commitment, and diagnosis bias and how they play out in individuals and groups.  Personally, I found a lot of value in being reminded of how important dissenters are, even if the dissenters are wrong, and how “stay the course” is usually the worst option.

For further reading, friends recommended Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely (I haven’t read it yet).  I give Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior 3.5 stars out of 5.