About The Fire and Getting Noticed

Post 1120:

            One of the most dramatic scenes in film or literature is the one where people or a person stranded on a deserted island or the mountains sees a ship or a plane in the distance. I can think of about ten examples right off the top. It’s always an intense moment. You’re hoping they get rescued and taken to safety and comfort. Lo, it rarely happens. Usually it ends up with the main character writhing on the ground, desperate to get noticed. His voice is parched. Chapped lips. Probably smells like ass. A heaving look toward the sky ensues, eyes red and watery.

            And the would-be rescuers go on, passing by never knowing the desperation on that island or in that forest, the pleading and the sudden hope turned into hopelessness.

            A great example is in Lord of the Flies, still one of the creepiest books ever written. Ralph is trying to get up the hill to make sure their signal fire is going. There’s a ship out on the horizon. This is the first shot at being spotted since they ended up on the island. Things are starting to get desperate. So is he. Great methodical tension by William Golding:

             Balanced on a high peak of need, agonized by indecision, Ralph cried out:

            “Oh God, Oh God!”

            Simon, struggling with the bushes, caught his breath. His face was twisted. Ralph blundered on, savaging himself, as the wisp of smoke moved on.

            This is just a little piece of the scene. I picked it because of the plea to God once worldly hope has faded, and for the “blundered on, savaging himself” part. That’s great writing.

            It’s easy why this is so relatable. Everyone wants to be noticed at some point in their life. Have you ever been desperate for recognition, so much that you’ll plead and scream for someone to turn their ship toward you and give you a hand?

            No? Well, I guess you’ve got it all together. Stop reading immediately and go rock out.

            I think it applies deeply for writers. We’re all blundering along, savaging ourselves, on an island or lost in the woods, trying anything to get noticed. It’s a frustrating piece of business sometimes. And sometimes it’s paradise. Guess it all depends on how you want to play it. Either way, you gotta hope you get spotted. There’s really no other choice. Keep the fire going, my friends. Cheers and see you after.