The Audience is Killing Me
Part 1
Jamie is a real person, with a boring job he hates, a girlfriend he’s rather fond of and sometimes dreams of having kids with, and a family that moves from being too involved to being overwhelming.
His life, up until now, isn’t worth the effort to write a story about because he is so boringly boring. Barring the occasional “adventure”, like getting drunk in the city with his mates.
He plays his life safe while he dreams of adventure, drama, and extreme experiences he believes he is naturally able to cope with. He believes but doesn’t do.
Later on, he could look back on his life and think, “Ignorance was bliss.”
I’m telling you this because what is about to happen, some of the decisions he needs to make, will be guided by you, the reader. Not you, individually, more like the collective reader.
You can think of this as a hive mind approach to leading Jamie down a path he probably wouldn’t walk down.
The hive mind can be kind to him, help him make brave decisions that improve his life. You can lead him to become wealthy, influential, brave, kind and successful.
Or, you could lead him down a path of self destruction, meanness, loneliness, and misery.
Or just get him to have a bit of fun. Life is short and sometimes people need a nudge, a reminder, that you should live a little.
What happens to him, the path he walks, is determined by you, the collective reader. You can collectively decide whatever you want for Jamie. You have the power.
For example, as you read this, he has just reached the kitchen to start making his morning hot chocolate.
A normal routine. A part of the day with a bitter sweetness within the moment. Some time with his lovely Heather just before going to work to meet a day of work.
He enjoys taking his time to make the hot chocolate, a moment he reflects on during the day to maintain his sanity. A chance to see Heather move from the bathroom to the bedroom without a towel covering her. A small anticipation that brings a small, momentary sense of joy.
Yes, he is pondering the same question he has every morning, should he go to the shower and help her or make her hot chocolate?
While a fun thought, the rent is due and food doesn’t grow on trees, which makes work the sensible decision that wins almost every day of his life.
He is considering his options right now, so let’s start small.
Here are three options for you to consider. Take your time, Jamie is unaware of the time it takes for you to decide. As far as he is concerned, no time passes while you decide.
Which option will you decide he will make?
A - Make Heather’s hot chocolate exactly the way she likes it.
B - Make the drinks then ask Heather if they should call in sick and spend a day together.
C - Forget the hot chocolate, take his clothes off and join Heather in the shower.