(Originally posted June 2, 2008 on Writingscape V1.0)
A popular character on a long-running soap opera “died in the ER” last week from bullet-lacerated liver, with a loved one at her side (she refused surgery because being a nurse, she already knew the score on that one, and used her time to say goodbye instead). The scene was well done, as dramatic TV goes. I didn’t have a problem with it as a Writer or Viewer, in particular. I’ll even give concessions because she really had no time for any kind of transition (body shutting down in stages) period–she bled out rather quickly.
But when it was over, I couldn’t help thinking. Hm. How nice and neat, and pretty-looking. And like everything inside a body just shuts off, all quiet-like. Huh. Shame it’s not that way in REAL LIFE. Nice and neat. (Big Sister thinks they could have done a little better.)
New knowledge, even if it comes with great pain, can serve us and our own characters quite well, in the long run.
