Ain’t misbehavin’? Not in South Carolina.
If you haven’t heard about South Carolina governor Mark Sanford and his secret, six day trip to Argentina to meet with his mysterious lover….well, it’s probably because the news coverage switched abruptly to cover Michael Jackson. Which likely made Gov. Sanford quite relieved. But here in North Carolina, we’ve been reading the coverage on his tryst with amazement (yes, that’s me above, amazed. My children have had way too much fun taking pictures of me lately.)
Political sex scandals are frequent, but this case was especially remarkable: 1. He told his staff he’d be hiking the Appalachian Trail (which, last I saw, was nowhere near South America.) 2. He turned off his cell phone and no one could reach him; not a good thing in hurricane season. 3. He left the country and no one in SC knew anything about it. 4. He called his lover his “soul mate” during a news conference (!!!). 5. He said he was going to ‘try to fall back in love with his wife’ (!!$%^!). Soooo many no-nos if you’re wanting to make up with your wife, Governor.
My advice to the governor would be to high-tail it to the nearest florist and hit Godiva on the way back to the house. And maybe stop calling your lover your soul mate. In public and on TV.
This scandal and all the salacious emails he exchanged with his Argentinean friend would be a lot more entertaining if it were fictitious. Because in real life, you just can’t get a vicarious thrill from this type thing—he has a real wife and real children who are getting hurt.
Fiction is wonderful. We get to experience falls from grace, forbidden love, and illicit affairs. All the dirty laundry and none of the guilt.
Thoughts on scandals in books:
Mysteries are the perfect genre for writing scandals. After all, the desperate attempt to cover up a secret is one of the biggest motives for murder.
If the exposure of a secret or scandal can ruin your protagonist’s life, it better be good. As a society, we’re a whole lot more laid-back about things than we used to be. So if your character’s whole life is destroyed, it better not be because his mama found out he was living with his girlfriend. Nope. Not gonna fly.
If the scandal is something that’s fairly everyday (an extramarital affair), then you probably need to write your protagonist as a public figure of some kind. National-level politicians work well for this, but ministers, principals, school teachers, small town leaders, etc. have just as much to lose as the big guys.
If you want the public reaction to the scandal to be especially harsh, write a period piece. If it’s set in a place and time where folks were especially intolerant, you can even write in major uprisings or mob scenes. Salem witch trials, anyone?
Some of my favorite books that include scandals, secrets, and falls from grace: The Scarlet Letter, Pride and Prejudice (the younger sister…you remember), House of Mirth, and Atonement.
I remember telling my kids and step-kids many times, “Be very careful what you say and do now, because a misstep could prevent you from getting an important job or winning an election later.” Pretty funny in today’s context, when our most respected judges, senators, governors, presidents, or corporate execs can’t behave themselves as grownups in responsible positions.
And you’re right, Elizabeth, to make a scandal worthy of novel or mystery plots, the event needs to be ultra-extreme to make the cover-up/murder realistic. Scary, isn’t it?
Galen, I may need to retain your counsel. I hope your rates are reasonable.
Elizabeth, you sure have thought a lot about scandals. I can’t wait to read your scandal-riddled book!
Elizabeth, we love the same scandal-riddled books!
Karen
I’ve been retained as governor Whosit’s defense council. Ergo, a few rebuttal points: 1. This particular Appalachian trail is the one in Peru…near the city of Apalachicola, Peru. Very small. Not on any map. 2. He was misquoted. The cell phone battery died. On the trail…so, no stores. 3. Leaving the country in secret. Uh, yeah, he did that. 4. Again, misquoted. He was talking about Coffee Mate. 5. “Trying” to love his wife. Well, she’s very mean.
See, all reasonably explained.
Best regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
*snorts at Galen’s retorts*
Excellent points Elizabeth!
I would add, as motive, affairs by a person who married for reasons other than love (gained a lot of money or connections because of the spouse) or else affairs with people who have a particular tie to the spouse being cheated upon (inspiring crimes of passion)
Mysteries are less central to the writing I do, so I also like life lessons, and these scandals and affairs as the trigger for some introspection and personal growth (whether by the cheater, cheatee, or 3rd party) is powerful. It can also be pretty powerful watching a couple try to work past something like that.
Good ideas for writing abotu scandals. I heard all about your governor’s little tryst all the way up here in Michigan – on a sports talk radio show no less! LOL
The Old Silly
I don’t know, going on national TV and saying your lover is your soul mate, but because you don’t want to lose your political standing and all the benefits that come with the position, you will try to fall in love with your wife — that’s a pretty good reason for murder or at least a Bobbitt move. Better not put me on the jury.
Helen
Straight From Hel
This is definitely a case of “too real for fiction.” Nobody would believe it. Who said, “The difference between real life and fiction is that fiction has to make sense.”? By the way, your youngsters are really good with the camera.
Galen–You sound like you studied at the “What ‘is’ is” law school! Any straying governor would be proud to have you as their counsel.
Watery Tart–Great points. Agatha Christie liked to write characters who married for money and killed to cover up affairs. Or killed their rich spouses before they discovered the affairs and wrote them out of the will.
Marvin–I bet the sportscasters were really laughing at Sanford. They’re thinking they did a much better job at covering up their indiscretions!
Patricia–That’s still good advice. We have to take it a step farther these days, though–don’t put text or pics online that will haunt you when you’re looking for a job in 10 years.
Alan–I do think a lot about scandals. I’ve been wondering where the heck the governor had the time to be carrying on an affair. And in another country! I thought SC’s economy was bankrupt, that there was an employment crisis, etc. Hmm. I don’t even have time to even read a book anymore…clearly the gov is an over-achiever.
Karen–Aren’t they great? I could read “House of Mirth” a million times.
Helen–I’m with you. I’d forgotten about old Lorena! She’d make short work of the governor (no pun intended.)
Karen–I agree. Any editor worth his salt would turn that storyline down. My son IS good with the camera, isn’t he? I just need to take it away from him, though–he’s becoming like a paparazzo. My daughter’s pics usually cut my head off….which may be an improvement some days.
Elizabeth
Great post, Elizabeth. And Helen, I love the Lorena Bobbett reference.
Lately real life is a lot more fascinating than fiction. Re: scandal and Michael Jackson, a close gentleman friend of mine, speaking off the record, speculates that Michael had himself castrated so as to keep his voice high, like the castrati of Baroque music. It fits with the facial surgery that destroyed his looks and the fact that his children appear totally Caucasian.
Outrageous, yes, and totally unfounded, but the Bobbett quote reminded me. And the theory was just too outlandish for me to include in my own posts about Michael, which are much more reverential.
Remember, you heard it here first!
Julie Lomoe’s Musings Mysterioso
http://julielomoe.wordpress.com
Julie, I hadn’t heard that theory. Very interesting! You just never know with Michael…and I guess we never WILL know, now.
E
Well I hope his wife enjoys being re-wooed.I am afraid after the statement he made, I would not be so forgiving. I would want to feel loved 100% or not at all.
Interesting topic, great photo.
I agree, Glynis. I wouldn’t be at all happy with his behavior, either. In fact, I’d probably encourage him to extend his stay in Argentina. :)