There's a scene in the movie Trading
Places in which the two rich guys are explaining commodities to Eddie
Murphy, telling him that pork bellies are tied in with bacon, which might be
used in a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. Murphy turns to the camera, as if
to say, "Do you believe these people?"
He broke the "fourth wall" which is that imaginary barrier
between the film and the audience.
I've always thought stuff like that was fun. You see it in movies and
on television a lot, even on stage, so why not in books?
Well, because some people consider it a "rule" that shouldn't
be broken. Those people with "literary" tattooed on their foreheads
who break out in hives if a comma is used improperly. You know the type. I once
got a rejection from an agent who loved my book, but turned it down because I
broke the fourth wall. The horror!
Upon reading said rejection letter I immediately put my wrists out, waiting
to be handcuffed by the editorial police who would surely break down my door at
any moment. I would be hauled away to literary jail and forced to deal with my
seventh grade nun who would make me write "I will not break the fourth
wall" thousands of times. (Oh, I can see from your cringe that you went to
Catholic school. Sorry for the flashback.)
To me, occasionally talking to the reader makes the reader feel part of
the story. Like I'm sitting across from the reader in a coffee shop and telling
that person a story, but occasionally stopping to include the person. I see you
nodding, so you're getting it.
In my new book "Boss Girl" my main character Sydney likes to
talk to the reader. Sometimes she catches the reader rolling her eyes, or
shaking her head, so she has to stop with the narrative and explain herself.
I used this technique a lot as a television reporter when I was doing
feature stories. I did this little on-camera thing in which I'd give a
"come closer" gesture to the camera. The photographer would zoom in,
I'd drop my voice and let the viewer in on a little secret. It was my way of
connecting with the viewer on a personal level, as if I was having a personal
conversation with the viewer. I was simply following a concept in television known
as "talk, don't read." Many broadcasters can read a teleprompter, but
the best ones "talk" to the viewer. I'm just doing the same thing
with my novels.
So if you pick up one of my books, please be aware that I'll be
occasionally talking to you and not simply telling you a story. Because there's
no need to put up any kind of wall between authors and readers. Ah, I see you
agree! Here's a sledgehammer, take the first shot.
