The power of a writer

I'd consider myself a writer. I'd consider anyone who writes a writer. That's why they call them writers. I'm going to give you a little talk about the power authors have on their characters. Immerse yourself in the book or story you are writing, and be a character. Kurt Vonnegut does this in a few of his books. I'll give you an example through a short story.




Anthony walked into the bar. "Best beer in town!" said the sign. Anthony didn't think so. Anthony Glasgow was a perfectly normal, middle class American. He was also fairly sick in the mind. I could have made him a chipper young fellow. I also could kill him right now from spontaneous cancer. But I chose not to. Anthony would live another day. Anthony ran his hands through his hair and pushed his glasses up on his nose. He had a lot of problems. He had attempted suicide last night. But I chose to make him put the gun away. He did so smoothly and obediently. He would not be committing suicide while I was in control of him. He was, however, killing himself slowly with heroin. I would allow him to do that. But he would not kill himself with a gun. Not today, anyway.


Think about that.