A mini breakthrough!

04 March 2011

Today’s efforts have produced something nearer to what I was trying to achieve, vis-a-vis Heather’s decision to hire a stalker.

I’ve been trying to work out how the other characters will find out, her husband in particular. Initially, I’d thought that she could come home drunk in a rage about something her husband Robin has not done, and then announce in a melodramatic way that she’s hired a stalker. But that hasn’t been working. I don’t know if it’s just too easy or what, but something about it doesn’t feel right. Heather hasn’t yet earned her stalker.

This novel is also causing me to think more about being a woman and all the various things involved in that, in life and thematically. I was really worried initially to have a woman hiring a stalker because of anything that might be inferred from it. Stalking is an awful crime, truly frightening, and I don’t want to take it lightly. On the other hand, I do want to satirize our modern obsession with fame and ideas of celebrity, so I thought that hiring a stalker would be something like a logical progression, for a fame-obsessed, attention-seeking narcissist at least.

I also wanted to include some thoughts on how women aren’t often ‘seen’ in our society. Think about all the stuff your mother has done for you and you’ll understand what I mean. Women do a lot and it’s not often acknowledged.

So I’m trying to balance these ideas of womanhood and recognition and fame into one character. Also, it should be funny.

Anyhow, I managed to work out how Robin is going to find out what Heather has done. Here’s a little taste:

(Heather and Robin are arguing at a high-profile event where Heather is quite drunk and has just been seen hanging off a very handsome younger man, named Jason. Heather has just explained to Robin that Jason is her hired stalker.)

‘You put everything before me, Robin, and I had to do something to get your attention.’
‘You’ve got it now, so fire him.’
‘No. I like him. He stays. He makes me feel special.’
‘I’m your husband, isn’t that my job?’
‘Consider this a performance review. You’re underperforming.’