So Jimmy, tell us what your story is about

In the 1991 movie The Commitments, a bunch of Irish kids form a band to sing soul music. Their fearless leader, a sort of organizer, manager, teacher, and inspirer with a singular ideal, is Jimmy Rabbitte.  It’s a brilliant movie.  Go watch it (again).  It’s based on a book of the same name by Roddy Doyle. The Snapper and The Van (also good movies) finish the so-called Barrytown Trilogy.  

Throughout the movie, Jimmy conducts imaginary interviews with Terry Wogan. In the bathtub, in his bed, wherever, Jimmy imagines looking back over the career of his band and explaining the rise and fall of The Commitments.

So looking back, what did you learn from the time with The Commitments, Jimmy? – That’s a tricky question, Terry. But as I always say: We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels across the floor. I was feeling kind of seasick, but the crowd called out for more - That’s very profound, Jimmy. What does it mean? – I’m f#$%ed if I know, Terry!

Watching the movie, you know you’re hearing about important transitions when Jimmy pretends to be interviewed. But from the standpoint of the character, Jimmy is in the middle of making the band. He doesn’t yet know what will happen, what will be profound and what won’t. He doesn’t even know if this crazy idea is going to work, but these interviews are his way of imagining the fulfillment of his dream.

Just this morning I thought of Jimmy because I was talking out loud myself. Not talking TO myself, mind you.  I don’t talk to myself. That would make you think I’m crazy. I talk to imaginary people. Because that won’t make you think I’m crazy.

When I’m working on my ideas, I talk out loud, imagining how I would explain my story to other people. You’d be surprised how useful it can be to try to summarize your story out loud.  And my story still sounds terrible. Oh, there are some bits of it that I really like, that sound really fun, but as a whole story that anyone would want to read, it’s just not working yet.  But as I tried to talk my way through it, to make my imaginary audience GET my idea, I untangled a bit of a knot, and changed two things about my main character. I think the changes will make the story better.  

Only time will tell, Terry, whether this will be the breakthrough moment in my plot, or how this dream of a writing career will turn out.  But rest assured, I’ll keep talking to you while I figure it out.  

Update on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 9:04PM by Eglentyne

As an NPR geek, I imagined the Terry in my imaginary interview to be Terry Gross, the host of Fresh Air.  Who is your Terry?

Comments

[Cass]

I fully support talking to imaginary friends. ;) But if you want to talk out story ideas with a real life friend, I'm also happy to help there.