The Soapbox: Rants and Commentary: Shakespeare: The Greatest Liar of All Composed by David Anderson(oommp@webspan.net) I was talking to a peer of mine yesterday on the phone. A young man by the name of Christopher Paris, a very capable writer. He made an interesting statement. "All fiction writers are liars." I've been thinking about that statement a bit, and I told my wife. She gave me a quizzical look, and asked why anyone would think like that. She curious, because every time someone has questioned my moral interperatude in the past I've gotten very angry. I pride myself on my honor and honesty. However, she saw I was reveling in the idea of myself being called a liar by Chris. I began to explain: Writers are the greatest liars of all. They make up stories, and then tell them to you and expect you to believe them. You have to believe these stories, no matter how fantastic they might seem. Take Star Wars for example. There is no way that is true. It is a complete fabrication, completely outside the realm of possibility. However, when Luke and Leia are stuck on that scaffolding with Storm Troopers shooting down at them, you were afraid. You cared. Why? Because you believed they were all real. And George Lucas lied effectively. Actors, directors, producers, radio personalities, they're all liars, but they have more weapons than writers do. They can attack your eyes and ears. Writers can't. They can only attack you mind and soul. And they lie to you. And make you believe. Back To Rants and Commentary

This document was created using FlexED