Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Michael Westen & Jane Austen


To redeem myself in the eyes of all you Prosers after last week's debacle, this week I'm going to indulge in some wild Burn Notice speculation that probably has little to do with reality, and even less to do with writing.

Fact: (I think) I read somewhere that the basis for Burn Notice was the real experiences of an ex-spy who had to fight to get his good(ish) name back after he was framed. He even supposedly had real life Fiona and Sam counterparts.

Fact: (I think) I also remember reading that the Michael Wilson listed as a consultant in the credits of Burn Notice was said ex-spy.

So, it was with surprise and interest that I read this article in the New York Times about one Edwin Wilson, ex-super-spy, now deceased. You should read the article. Talk about someone living larger than life!

Why do I think Edwin P. Wilson, deceased, is Michael Wilson, consulting producer? I'll give you five good reasons:

5. Per the article, Edwin sounds like the kind of guy who would love to have his story told - his way.

4. Edwin spent years pouring over FOIA documents to find out who framed him and exonerate himself - just like a certain ex-spy we know and love.

3. Michael Westen spends a lot of time blustering his way through situations by sounding like he knows what he's doing. Sounds like Edwin Wilson did, too.

2. Edwin called his mistress, 'Wonder Woman,' and really, what's Fiona, if not Wonder Woman?

1. Uh, the name? Wilson, anyone?

So, what do you think? Was Edwin P. Wilson the mysterious inspiration for Michael Westen?


And since I'm not blogging about writing anyway...

Here's a video just for Melanie, because I ran into it again after reading her excellent post, and it made me laugh all over again.

No Corsets, No Hatpins, and No Crying.

Enjoy.




~Susan
Posted by at 10:22 PM
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8 comments:

  1. Melanie CrouseSeptember 27, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    That was a hilarious video. Thanks for sharing. And what a cool article. It makes me think...mostly about watching Burn Notice again. :) Edwin does sound like Michael, except perhaps more narcissistic.

    I'm reading a book right now called Kill Switch. I'm still on the fence about whether I like the writing style or not, but the premise of this book is AMAZING. It's about an old man who has alzheimer's (or something like it), and keeps talking about secret government missions he went on back when he was a spy. He and his grandson escape before the government can silence him forever, and now they are on the run.

    With all the possible things a government might do to a covert agent, it makes me wonder--why can't I think of a good novel idea for nanowrimo???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan ButtarsSeptember 27, 2012 at 9:42 AM

      That book sounds interesting. You'll have to let us know if it's a worthy read in the end.

      You know, I started writing this post with the intentnion of integrating the story into the use of innuendo, red herrings and coincidence in writing. But then it was suddenly pushing 11pm, so all you got was wild conjecture instead. :)

      Delete
    2. Melanie CrouseSeptember 27, 2012 at 10:02 AM

      Please, please write that post. I am so bad at that, but I've always wanted to lead my readers astray in a plausible way. The best I've ever been able to do is lead my main character astray, while the readers know exactly what's happening.

      Delete
  2. Melanie CrouseSeptember 27, 2012 at 7:27 AM

    Have you seen this?http://www.vulture.com/2011/06/usa_shows.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan ButtarsSeptember 27, 2012 at 9:38 AM

      Ha! I love it. Sounds like a formula for a successful nanowrimo story, too, since you're looking for one...

      Delete
  3. UnknownSeptember 27, 2012 at 9:58 AM

    I guess if Jane Austen's characters aren't good enough to get an invitation to Almack's, they can just hunt down the ton and beat the snot out of them. I love that video, and you totally made my day!

    Oh, and while I would LOVE to believe that there is a man out there as amazing as Michael Weston, I think I'd be a little disappointed to find out he was Edwin P. Wilson, mostly because (as Melanie said) he seems a tad narcissistic. Although, I guess if I was letting someone make a TV show about my life, there would be a few traits I'd want to edit out, too.

    Thanks for reminding me how much I loved Burn Notice, and how I really ought to get caught up on it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. MaryAnn PopeSeptember 27, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    So am I going to get kicked out of the group if I still haven't seen Burn Notice? I promise I'll get to it soon. :)

    Love Jane Austen's fight club. That was brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melanie CrouseSeptember 30, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    For anyone who was intrigued by the book Kill Switch that I just mentioned...PLEASE read my review first:

    http://prosersread.blogspot.com/2012/09/kill-switch-by-chris-lynch.html

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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