Scribblers, or Gods of our Universe?!

Are we just Scribblers (penning stories) or, are we Gods of our Universe. As writers we get to play God with our literary characters. We become something akin to their Destiny Makers. We have the ability to bring them to throbbing life, or kill them with one stroke of a pen, or, with the click of few keys. We have the means of ridding them of their problems quickly, or tormenting them for several chapters.

In the literary world we can do everything that we cannot do in our real world. Would we create problems in someone’s life like we do with relish in our protagonist’s life? God forbid. No. Never. Would we ever be accused of manipulating people in real life, in the way we manipulate all our characters? Again the answer would be no. But when we write we keep aside our guilt conscious, and trouble and torture our characters mercilessly. At times with glee. The more problems we add in their lives the more believable the character becomes. A case of the Written Life emulating the Real Life.

As scribblers we give full rein to all our fantasies, create make believe worlds, people the world with believable protagonists, add loathable antagonists, generously add conflicts of all kinds, and finally resolve it to universal appeal.

As writers we have complete control of the destinies of each and every character we create, not just the main. We set the stage for the entry and exit of all the people who have initially resided in our imaginations. In real life more often than not we are helpless.

Have you noticed that the lack of influence we have over the people in our lives: family; parents, spouse, siblings, children, and friends doesn’t trouble us during writing? Our characters unlike our family and friends cannot call us interfering busybodies or control freaks when we meddle with their lives. Writing is the only time we are in complete control (provided the muse is co-operating, and distractions that deter us from writing are at bay, and we get uninterrupted writing time).

In our literary worlds characters are created with impunity, they are shown the door unceremoniously, flying on the wings of imagination our characters indulge in activities that we would never dare to do! Deep down most of our characters reflect our secret desires and passions. Sometimes I think even the not so nice ones.

Our characters are puppets that we manipulate to put on a wonderful performance that will leave the readers asking for more.

Are we writers closet control freaks? Is that one of the main appeals of writing? To be in complete control of every aspect of our character’s life? Or, do we love to create new worlds, new situations and new people? What aspect of writing appeals to you all the most? I would love to know.