If an author is putting in all kinds of everyday mundane things just to make their series special, no thank you. It's a nice touch, but they shouldn't make a big deal of it.
And showing scenes like a constipated Voldermort would really destroy the mood and aura that is supposed to exist around him. Showing a villain doing normal (or worse, embarrassing) things doesn't help when you're trying to show that he's an inhuman creature. (And yes, I get that you were mainly joking with that example).
And people already complain about pointless action sequences, especially in 800-1000 page epics. Pointless non-action sequences? That's not going to go over well.
But overall, I agree with you. Whenever possible, dumb ordinary stuff could really strengthen a lot of stories. A dialog-heavy scene can be re-written to be a dialog-heavy scene over supper (which is common already). Throw in a few comments about how the meal is burned, or too salty, and that goes a long way to strengthening a story. Or when a group stops to camp for the night, a character could quickly excuse themselves and run off behind a tree. Things like that help.
And showing scenes like a constipated Voldermort would really destroy the mood and aura that is supposed to exist around him. Showing a villain doing normal (or worse, embarrassing) things doesn't help when you're trying to show that he's an inhuman creature. (And yes, I get that you were mainly joking with that example).
And people already complain about pointless action sequences, especially in 800-1000 page epics. Pointless non-action sequences? That's not going to go over well.
But overall, I agree with you. Whenever possible, dumb ordinary stuff could really strengthen a lot of stories. A dialog-heavy scene can be re-written to be a dialog-heavy scene over supper (which is common already). Throw in a few comments about how the meal is burned, or too salty, and that goes a long way to strengthening a story. Or when a group stops to camp for the night, a character could quickly excuse themselves and run off behind a tree. Things like that help.
"And it breaks my heart to look around, and see the unimpressed; who can't believe the emperor is dressed"~Fastball
2-7-1
2-7-1
Every day mundane events...where are they?
- 29/06/2010 10:15:19 PM
655 Views
Reading your anecdote, I am overcome with the urge to mentally suffix it with "...MLIA".
- 29/06/2010 11:22:40 PM
512 Views
I think it's because we all know people need to do them so there's no reason to write about them.
- 29/06/2010 11:30:12 PM
553 Views
*NM*
I loved this post. It was delightful, slightly crude maybe, but that did not diminish my
- 30/06/2010 04:17:32 AM
487 Views
Tash, when you get old, you are going to be the best old lady ever.
- 30/06/2010 05:32:43 PM
464 Views
If the mundane event is included as just that, mundane, not highlighted, then there's no problem.
- 30/06/2010 08:17:36 PM
619 Views
The how and why are important
- 01/07/2010 02:52:22 AM
534 Views