A large part of my job as a writer consists of that terrible, wonderful task known as ‘research’. A well-researched story flows with a sense of seamless credibility that makes it oh-so-real to the reader. This is something that I aspire to.
However, I am discovering to my chagrin that research can pose a number of potential pitfalls. One of the hazards that I am encountering on a regular basis is my own tendency to become fascinated with the research subject and to fly off on a personal quest for more information, abandoning my story until the need has been satisfied.
Take the word ‘freedom’ for example. This is one of those really BIG words in the English language, a word that sends the mind into wild flights of fancy. Like the word ‘mother’, the word ‘freedom’ is often only fully appreciated through its absence. In support of my current novel, which is set in China, I set off on a simple quest to gauge the current state of ‘freedom’ within the People’s Republic.
What I found was mind-boggling, mind numbing and mind-blowing.
A case in point is the practice of Internet censorship in China. Wikipedia tells us that it “is conducted under a wide variety of laws and administrative regulations.” Amnesty International reports that a growing number of people are being detained on the grounds of Internet violations, often without access to legal advice or to the comfort of family visits. In some cases, alleged violators have been tortured. All such prisoners are considered by Amnesty International to be Prisoners of Conscience, and demands have accordingly been made for their immediate and unconditional release.
Still 'Big Mama', as the Internet Scrutinisers have been nick-named, toils on, removing new sites/postings/blogs/chat topics with the speed of a caped crusader and ensuring that the silk veil of ignorance will continue to be draped over the eyes of its people.
Topics of particular interest to the Great Firewall of China include:
-Sites that promote or encourage the practices of Falun Gong. (The horrendous
oppression of this group is a whole other story, and one of the themes of my current book.)
-Sites that discuss the Dalai Lama, or his views on the political and religious future of Tibet.
-Any newsgroup or forum that covers the killing of student protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
-Any article that proposes a democratic challenge to the current Communist government.
-Any posting or site that discusses the possibility of new cases of S.A.R.S.
(Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome.)
In a recent article in The New Yorker entitled Enemy of the State, writer Zha Jianying tells us about the nine-year incarceration of her brother, Zha Jianguo, for committing the crime of initiating a Democratic Party within the People’s Republic of China. Her description of the events both before and after her brother’s arrest are certain to send a chill down the spine of anyone who lays a claim to the love of freedom.
As a writer I find that the word ‘censorship’ has a particularly jarring sound at the best of times, but when it is used in conjunction with words like ‘torture’, ‘imprisonment’, ‘conscience’, ‘religion’ and ‘democracy’, it cuts me to the quick. My own stories are nothing more than mere mysteries, simple works of fiction. They are meant to entertain and to intrigue the reader. If they happen also to inform, that is a side-benefit.
I am reminded once again that the strangest story of all is indeed the reality we witness on a daily basis.
-Donna Carrick, April 27, 2007
Comments (3)
Donna:
I find your comments on Freedom interesting. I am all for freedom of thought, expression, and all the rest that our 21st century liberties allow us. I find the arguements of the NRA and the freedoms that they wish to preserve outdated. The right to carry arms comes from the past when a need to call on a civilian military might have been necessary. The problems with Freedoms is that once they are perceived as Rights then they are almost impossible to retract when they are outdated or abused.
We have evolved into a culture that allows those freedoms and we teach our children in our homes and schools how to deal with bias etc. when it is experienced.
My one concern is that all too often we are inclined to impose our advanced attitudes about individual freedoms on cultures that have not yet developed to our level of tolerance and understanding. One only has to look at the mess that Richard Gere now finds himself in for a kiss in India. I am sure that he meant nothing by it but having a little fun for the fans and the cameras. I have heard him speak and feel that he in no way would want to offend members of that culture. Anyone who travels knows that you should become familar with some of the basic laws of a country. Laws even made by a communist or dictatorial government need to be followed - whether we like some of them or not.
I do agree that Amnesty International needs to work to ensure that many of these less advantaged cultures and governments do not over react and place overly harsh punishments on those that have challenged the norms that have been set by their governments.
Posted by Larry | April 28, 2007 1:11 AM
Posted on April 28, 2007 01:11
Freedom:
I was watching an interesting British production today on Status Anxiety. A very powerful, extremely well paid woman was being interviewed. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She gave up her position and her rank in high society of London to live on the sea side and attempt to write a novel.
Her point was "that the fear of her near death at set her free" in that she no longer was worried about playing the power and status game that so many are foced to play in our upwardly mobile society. She was experiencing Freedom for the first time in her life.
I recently had a go around with cancer and retired and very much share her feelings. Freedom is the extent to which we can exercise our will when our actions do not negatively impact on the lives or well-being of others. Our respective societies, through mean of laws, help us to define those limits. We have the freedom to say and do what we want but we must be prepared to pay the consequences when our words or actions harm others, ie. Imus and the college basketball team.
Posted by Larry Wadsworth | April 29, 2007 1:39 AM
Posted on April 29, 2007 01:39
Hi, Larry,
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate the input as I work my own way through these issues. We hear this so often, that a brush with mortality will cause a person to value freedom. Perhaps that is the message, and if we will listen, freedom is already ours.
There is an old saying that the freedom of a man's fist stops at another man's face. A bit of a violent image, but it does bring home the point. When we reach an understanding with ourselves so that we no longer need to define freedom in terms of harming others, because harming others is no longer part of our agenda, then real freedom will reign.
Stay well, Larry, and enjoy retirement!
Posted by Donna | April 30, 2007 12:41 PM
Posted on April 30, 2007 12:41