To Research or To Not Research? To Research You Dope! Part II

When last we spoke, I left you with the possibility that the CEO of your company could be a psychopath. According to Dr. Robert Hare, author of “Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us”, sub criminal or white collar psychopaths exhibit much of the same behaviors as those who are incarcerated for violent psychopathy. These folks, however, have learned to play the game much better than their incarcerated brethren. These folks also represent a majority of the psychopathic population of the world. (That’s scary!!)

One, of many points I found interesting in reading Dr. Hare’s book, was the idea that white collar psychopaths have an entrepreneurial bent. They are usually admired by those they work with because of their gung-ho, do what it takes to succeed at any cost attitude. Often times their behaviors are not viewed as socially deviant until something the scope of Enron happens which bring their deeds to light.

Sub criminals also exhibit extreme charismatic, type ‘A’ , dominant personalities. This personality type is able to get exactly what they want, how they want it, when they want it. Dr. Hare cites an interview he conducted with a white collar criminal who managed to bilk several renowned banks out of millions of dollars with a false credit report, a handshake and a reassuring smile.

There are many good books and articles out there on psychopathy, several of which I read while I was researching this type of behavior. They were all interesting, informative and frightening in what they revealed and what they didn’t. Did I discover what personality type my antagonist is? No, but I learned what he is not. What he is not is a psychopath. What he is, still remains to be seen.

Bye for now!

Chrinda


JUST AN ASIDE: How many psychopaths does it take to make New York City —New York City?
Dr. Robert D. Hare, The developer of the Psychopathy Checklist, believes there are at least two million psychopaths in North America alone. One hundred thousand of those live in New York City. So apparently it takes 100,000 or so, give or take a few hundred. Scary, isn’t it?

Robert Hare, PhD “Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us.” Guilford Press, 1999

To Research or Not To Research?

To Research or Not to Research? To Research You Dope!

My research into psychopathy began when I started filling out the character framework of my antagonist. His motivation, needs and deeds were easily developed, but then came the question of what psychosis would he be suffering under? And what would his appropriate responses be while working within the confines of his psychosis? Knowing what my antagonist 's character wasn’t was helpful. He wasn’t a ruthless murderer who kills for no other reason than to satisfy his own warped needs and he wasn’t a dominant personality, capable of bending other to his will. So where does he fall in the land of psychosis? This was what I needed to find out.

Heading to my on-line used book provider, I bought myself a few books on psychopathy and availed myself of the research sites available at my local college library, and discovered some very interesting facts about Psychopathy. Something I found extremely interesting is the notion that most psychopaths exhibit behaviors we usually think of as eccentric or driven behaviors . The self absorbed, unrelenting, no holds barred, slightly dishonest CEO of your company could be a low level psychopath. To find out for certain, you'll have to check in again next week.

Heads up people and keep your wits about you because the next time we come together, you’re going to meet Mr. and Ms. Psychopath and it won’t be pretty. Interesting and scary, but not pretty.

Until then,

Chrinda

Next week: How many psychopaths does it take to make New York City —New York City?

First things, first.

I’m on a mission from God. Now, before you frantically start left clicking your way back to Facebook or Twitter or any number of other sites you could be on, hear me out. I’m not on the kind of mission you may think. It’s not my intention to cram faith or Jesus down anyone’s throat here or in the novel I’m attempting to write. And I’m certainly not out to guilt anyone into a faith they're not interested in. What I am out to do is write a novel which will put people in contact with someone who can offer them hope and peace. With that said, I must warn you, this won’t be the last time you will see the “G” word.


What is the very first thing I’ve learned while slogging my way through the writing process?

IT’S HARD WORK PEOPLE! UNBELIEVABLY, STINKIN’, ROLLING AROUND ON THE FLOOR, SCREAMING, HARD WORK! Some would have you think the process is an easy one and if it isn't, you must be doing something wrong. Those who say it’s not difficult are usually the same writers who send out the first draft of their manuscript with no effort given to edits or revisions. They’re also the same writers who grouse when they receive rejection letter for what was "clearly the most perfect novel ever written." Obviously, they were the only one who thought perfection could be achieved through lack of commitment to their work.

I have found the writing process to be time consuming, bruising to the ego and just downright physically battering at times, but only when I'm doing it right. (This is not just my opinion, ask anyone who writes.) Yet, at the same time there’s something very fulfilling about withstanding the beatings I’m dished. Taking a character I have pulled from the hidden places of my imagination, applying their strengths and flaws to ink and fiber, and then looking on as they come into their full fruition, is a feeling unmatched. It’s this that drives me forward in spite of the thrashing I know awaits me on any given day.

I want to be a meticulous writer who continues to find fault with each word, paragraph and chapter until I can find fault no more. I gladly accept the fact that the road to the publishable novel will be a rough and exacting one, filled with revision after revision and edit after edit. Stephen King had several of his novels rejected before “Carrie” was published. I don’t understand why exactly, but knowing this gives me strength to step into the ring once again to take my beating and move forward-- one bloody, embattled word at a time.

Wish me luck folks; I’m going to need it.

Chrinda

Tune in next time when you’ll hear me ask no one in particular, “What do you mean by story elements?”