Some more questions asked in the comments of this post:
“How do you know when to quit and walk away?” (from DianneorDi)
I don’t. I just find that I become less and less interested in something and/or another idea starts burning all the writing oxygen. This happens fairly often with short stories–I just sort of wander off. Years later I look at the fragment and think, Damn that’s good! I should finish that! and then…I never do. Most of the time I’m pretty sure there’s a good reason for walking away but I don’t bother hunting it down. I trust my subconscious. Besides, my airspace is already jammed with novel ideas, circling like planes running out of fuel. I can only land one at a time.
“Have you seen Watchmen, and if so, what did you think? If not, are you even interested in seeing it, and if not interested, why?
Another…would you care to share a list of your ‘Serious Films with Anguished People’? I don’t know why this makes me giggle about you, and the fact that you capitalize each word as if it should be a book/movie title itself is giggle inducing enough all on it’s own!
And then, maybe you could express your personal thoughts on why you don’t care for those types of flicks. I for one, highly enjoy them, but for some reason it just makes me again, giggle like a school girl to hear you refer to them in this way…” (from Realmcovet)
Nope, haven’t seen Watchmen. The trailers and reviews persuaded me it would be a mess. I expect to watch it on DVD at some point, but I’m not in a rush.
No no no, not *my* Serious Films About Anguished People. I loathe those things, such as Lost in Translation and Happy Go Lucky. They are confused, self-indulgent, etiolated, narcissistic neuroticisms and I want nothing to do with them.
Sadly, Kelley sometimes likes them. Sometimes (thank you, baby Jesus) she doesn’t. We sat through Happy Go Lucky a few days ago and agreed it was the most pointless exercise we’ve had the misfortune to behold. A doughnut of a film: no there there, just a giant hole. Deeply vapid. No substance whatsoever: no story, no character arc, no joy, no excitement. Nothing. As provocative as a turnip. No, that insults turnips (which are very tasty roasted). HGL was more like iceberg lettuce that some talentless dimwit mistook for a vegetable of substance and steamed: a limp, slimy mess. I’d much rather see Galaxy Quest or Die Hard: lives hang in the balance, shit blows up, there are some jokes.
Life is short. Eat popcorn and watch someone get their head wacked off with a sword. Woo hoo!
_________________
If you have questions to ask or topics you’d like me to address, send me email at asknicola2 at nicolagriffith dot com or add a comment here.
Nicola Griffith 
I really enjoy reading your insight into the world of writing, you simplify it in such a way that doesn’t make it sound like it’s as easy as making fried eggs, but not to give up!
And as far as eating popcorn, watching shit get blown up or getting beheaded by swords and what not, I love flicks like that too of course. I’ve never seen (or even heard of) Happy Go Lucky, but I did enjoy Lost in Translation. I’ve got a thing for Bill Murray. (He was lovely in Rushmore and Life Aquatic!)
I would love to hear more of your list of Serious Films About Anguished People!
And Watchmen was actually pretty decent! Especially if you like action flicks.
Just when I think I know all about you, you surprise the shit outta me. :)
I call 'em “Feel-Bad” movies, books, &c. I mean– by & large, sadness is handled artlessly & like a sledgehammer– just throw a bunch of cheap shot misery & make everyone feel like crap. Has about as much sophistication as a fart joke. Wins awards, though, because people are idiots.
Caty and I netflixed HGL because we’d heard all these great things about it. Of course none of those great things actually materialized in the movie and I wondered what movie those people heaping praise had seen.
I don’t like “drama” films. I can’t stand those people in RL, why would I spend entertainment dollars on them?
Go Action Flix!
I assume that Serious Films About Anguished People does not exclude films about the complexity of human feelings including grief, sadness, and oppression. I’m thinking of films like The Grapes of Wrath or Full Metal Jacket. I too love films like Die Hard and Alien, but not ecclusively.
Galaxy Quest is a classic; I often cite it for proof that comedy done well is triumphant.
I think you’d like Watchmen. It is not a mess, it is a remarkable distillation of a whole lot of graphic story into a satisfying, stylish and ass-kicking movie. At its heart, it is an indictment of those who seek power and I was delighted that the critique of the damaged souls who would choose to become superheroes survived the transition to the screen. Very fine film indeed.