"Drawing The Line" | Lessons 'American Psycho' Taught Me
I’m sitting here right now with the whole world in my hands. I have the entire flat to myself for a week, with my Mum away to Wales until Friday. There was once a time where this would have meant non-stop parties, friends over every night for takeaways, listening to loud music, and all that good stuff. Those were the days... (God look at me, 23 years young and getting sentimental over the “good old days”!)
Not anymore however – times have changed, as they say. My concern now is to ensure the flat is kept tidy, mess to a minimum and if I do happen to have friends over that my neighbours don’t wind up complaining. Just as much as I did a fantastic job in ruining my reputation with my neighbours when I was younger by having outlandish parties, I am trying to rebuild that reputation by not repeating the same mistakes again. With that in mind, my focus needs to be elsewhere, somewhere productive, and where better than on this lovely little blog of mine that I’ve grown quite fond of?
This Is Not An Exit isn’t a phrase I came up with at random, but is in fact a tribute to one of my favourite movies, American Psycho. In this movie, Patrick Bateman (played by the incredibly talented Christian Bale) is a seemingly normal yuppie from America, a businessman by day and a cold, violent murderer by night. The movie has its fair share of brutal and dark moments, but it also attempts to make its audience laugh with some shocking dark comedy moments. The movie isn’t for everybody, but it’s always had a special place in my heart, and Bateman’s monologue at the end is a tribute to this blog’s very title.
My admiration for the movie had me seeking out the novel on which it’s based by Brett Easton Ellis. I knew the controversy that surrounded the novel, and upon researching a little bit, understood that is was far darker than the movie counterpart. Nothing however, could prepare me for the novel – to this day, it is the only story I have not been able to finish. Not due to boredom or anything of the sort, but out of repulsion – I can safely say that a faithful 100% adaption of the novel, without the comedy elements introduced in the movie, would never have made it to screen. Just thinking about it now turns my stomach – it is so detailed, so shocking and so graphic that I have even warned friends and family alike against reading it. Not that novel is poorly written, and that the themes explored weren’t interesting, but the twisted detail that went into the gruesome scenes were breathtaking. A big part of wished it wasn't written as well as it was, because a lot of the time, I couldn't help but be repulsed by some chapters.
I hold the movie in high regard, even it's scary/gruesome moments, but even more so now, especially knowing what was left out from the novel. In determining what was going to be acceptable to a wider audience, they had to tone the movie down, and in all honesty, I think that was the right decision. Some people enjoy reading that kind of stuff, and that's their prerogative - but I believe that you have to be conscience of what the majority of people are going to be comfortable reading. In writing 45 Days, and Descent Into Madness in particular, there are a few violent, graphic scenes and descriptions, but I always stayed mindful not to cross any lines that I personally would consider good taste. Shocking or writing something over that line can gain certain attention, but I don't want to be known as that kind of author.
Work on my new idea is going full speed ahead, and whilst I don't want to give any specific details just yet, I will say that it ties into both 45 Days, Descent Into Madness and the unreleased When Justice Comes Calling. I imagine 45 Days and Descent Into Madness as my first arc of this story I'm attempting to tell. This idea I have is pulling back the curtain somewhat, but still furthering this world and its characters that have come to life. A quick side-story if you will, the final stop before... well, who knows. I've let a few people read what I've written of When Justice Comes Calling so far (which is 3/4 finished) and am waiting of feedback. I am toying with the idea of maybe releasing the story either on here or for free on Kindle, but time will tell. Need to consider my options. This side-project is my only concern right now. As soon as serious headway is made, you guys will be first to know. Work has begun however... I'm also making headway on Unsettling Differences, but more on that next time.
As always, thanks for reading.
- Will
(RIP Robin Williams)
Not anymore however – times have changed, as they say. My concern now is to ensure the flat is kept tidy, mess to a minimum and if I do happen to have friends over that my neighbours don’t wind up complaining. Just as much as I did a fantastic job in ruining my reputation with my neighbours when I was younger by having outlandish parties, I am trying to rebuild that reputation by not repeating the same mistakes again. With that in mind, my focus needs to be elsewhere, somewhere productive, and where better than on this lovely little blog of mine that I’ve grown quite fond of?
This Is Not An Exit isn’t a phrase I came up with at random, but is in fact a tribute to one of my favourite movies, American Psycho. In this movie, Patrick Bateman (played by the incredibly talented Christian Bale) is a seemingly normal yuppie from America, a businessman by day and a cold, violent murderer by night. The movie has its fair share of brutal and dark moments, but it also attempts to make its audience laugh with some shocking dark comedy moments. The movie isn’t for everybody, but it’s always had a special place in my heart, and Bateman’s monologue at the end is a tribute to this blog’s very title.
My admiration for the movie had me seeking out the novel on which it’s based by Brett Easton Ellis. I knew the controversy that surrounded the novel, and upon researching a little bit, understood that is was far darker than the movie counterpart. Nothing however, could prepare me for the novel – to this day, it is the only story I have not been able to finish. Not due to boredom or anything of the sort, but out of repulsion – I can safely say that a faithful 100% adaption of the novel, without the comedy elements introduced in the movie, would never have made it to screen. Just thinking about it now turns my stomach – it is so detailed, so shocking and so graphic that I have even warned friends and family alike against reading it. Not that novel is poorly written, and that the themes explored weren’t interesting, but the twisted detail that went into the gruesome scenes were breathtaking. A big part of wished it wasn't written as well as it was, because a lot of the time, I couldn't help but be repulsed by some chapters.
I hold the movie in high regard, even it's scary/gruesome moments, but even more so now, especially knowing what was left out from the novel. In determining what was going to be acceptable to a wider audience, they had to tone the movie down, and in all honesty, I think that was the right decision. Some people enjoy reading that kind of stuff, and that's their prerogative - but I believe that you have to be conscience of what the majority of people are going to be comfortable reading. In writing 45 Days, and Descent Into Madness in particular, there are a few violent, graphic scenes and descriptions, but I always stayed mindful not to cross any lines that I personally would consider good taste. Shocking or writing something over that line can gain certain attention, but I don't want to be known as that kind of author.
Work on my new idea is going full speed ahead, and whilst I don't want to give any specific details just yet, I will say that it ties into both 45 Days, Descent Into Madness and the unreleased When Justice Comes Calling. I imagine 45 Days and Descent Into Madness as my first arc of this story I'm attempting to tell. This idea I have is pulling back the curtain somewhat, but still furthering this world and its characters that have come to life. A quick side-story if you will, the final stop before... well, who knows. I've let a few people read what I've written of When Justice Comes Calling so far (which is 3/4 finished) and am waiting of feedback. I am toying with the idea of maybe releasing the story either on here or for free on Kindle, but time will tell. Need to consider my options. This side-project is my only concern right now. As soon as serious headway is made, you guys will be first to know. Work has begun however... I'm also making headway on Unsettling Differences, but more on that next time.
As always, thanks for reading.
- Will
(RIP Robin Williams)
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