Comments on: Learning to Write XX http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/ Reflections of a working writer and reader Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:10:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Trevor Johnson http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/#comment-23218 Trevor Johnson Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:12:21 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/#comment-23218 John, what is your opinion regarding Ignatius Riley? <strong>jb says:</strong> Hi Trevor. I did pick up a copy of The Confederacy of Dunces when it was first published. Can't remember how much of it I read before giving it away to a deserving cause, but it wasn't a lot. It's some years ago now so all I can really remember is that me and the book were not ready for each other. Perhaps I should give it another go? John, what is your opinion regarding Ignatius Riley?

jb says: Hi Trevor. I did pick up a copy of The Confederacy of Dunces when it was first published. Can’t remember how much of it I read before giving it away to a deserving cause, but it wasn’t a lot. It’s some years ago now so all I can really remember is that me and the book were not ready for each other. Perhaps I should give it another go?

]]> By: Ian MacDonald http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/#comment-22677 Ian MacDonald Sun, 28 Jan 2007 20:25:57 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/#comment-22677 I'm afraid Lecter for me was a caricature even within his books. Even there I couldn't see him in the flesh, other than that the story required him. Bertie is another story, as it's perfectly all right to use caricature in comedy, though it's obviously not compulsory. <strong>jb says</strong>: Hi Ian, I agree about Lecter. He is a caricature in the novels. But I think it's probably OK to use a caricature in any format if you simply need a cartoon. Shakespeare uses caricatures in all the plays, comedies and tragedies alike, and gets away with it without problem. The real problem is when a writer creates a caricature, by mistake, as the main character in his narrative. I’m afraid Lecter for me was a caricature even within his books. Even there I couldn’t see him in the flesh, other than that the story required him. Bertie is another story, as it’s perfectly all right to use caricature in comedy, though it’s obviously not compulsory.

jb says: Hi Ian, I agree about Lecter. He is a caricature in the novels. But I think it’s probably OK to use a caricature in any format if you simply need a cartoon. Shakespeare uses caricatures in all the plays, comedies and tragedies alike, and gets away with it without problem. The real problem is when a writer creates a caricature, by mistake, as the main character in his narrative.

]]> By: Nils http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/#comment-22673 Nils Sun, 28 Jan 2007 16:02:29 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xx/#comment-22673 Hi John. This is an interesting way of describing the caricature, or rather, of putting your character to the test. As for 'the world's most loved serial killer', I do feel that he was played rather well by Scottish actor Brian Cox, in Michael Mann's 1986 <em>Manhunter</em>. After that, the blind urge to keep scoring in the theatres, 'shocking' the audiences and raking in the cash turned the character into caricature indeed. But I'd love to attend a party where both Bertie Wooster and Sally Bowles were present! <strong>jb says</strong>: Just Sally would do for me, Nils. Hi John. This is an interesting way of describing the caricature, or rather, of putting your character to the test.

As for ‘the world’s most loved serial killer’, I do feel that he was played rather well by Scottish actor Brian Cox, in Michael Mann’s 1986 Manhunter. After that, the blind urge to keep scoring in the theatres, ’shocking’ the audiences and raking in the cash turned the character into caricature indeed.

But I’d love to attend a party where both Bertie Wooster and Sally Bowles were present!

jb says: Just Sally would do for me, Nils.

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