Deciding What You Can Say with Just Little Dots of Ink and Light

Published March 15, 1984. When author Claude Bristol was once asked why he wrote books and articles, he replied, “Little dots of ink make man and woman think.” Anyone who has tried their hand at writing knows what he meant.

Now there is something else for me to consider. Little dots of light.

A few weeks ago, Louise Degn, producer at KSL Television, phone and asked if I would be interviewed twice. I agreed. She explained that KSL was introducing a new program at noontime called “Good Company.” It would be aired Monday through Friday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., and the hostess for the new program would be Shelley Osterloh.

We discussed some possible topics for the interviews and finally agreed on two. Louise then asked if I could write a 30 second mini-drama for each topic that could be depicted by actors. I had never done that sort of thing before but thought it might be fun.

I, like most of you, do watch television. And I watch carefully how marital relationships are depicted on the morning soaps, in commercials, and even on late-night talk shows. So, I thought, “Here is my chance!” I can write Brent Barlow’s Constructive Soaps, even if they are only 30 seconds long.

The first interview was on the common myth that romantic love gives couples some special gift of discernment. If we “really” love each other we will know what the other is thinking and feeling without having to ask. For example, “Love means you never have to say you’re sorry.” The second topic was on marital satisfaction and deciding when the best years of marriage really are. (We concluded that marital satisfaction can increase over the years as the couple matures. This depends, of course, on the conscious effort and will of both husband and wife).

The two interviews went quite well, mainly because Shelley has a knack of putting people at ease. In addition, the KSL crew and actors did a commendable job on the 30 second mini-dramas.

After the second interview, Louise asked me if I would like to continue to be on “Good Company” each Tuesday beginning March 27^th. I said I would because I can handle the interviews. But she also wants to continue to 30-second mini-dramas. That part concerned me.  But I agreed and left.

Where would I get. I wondered out loud as I drove home, the ideas and materials for a weekly 30-second mini-drama for television? The first resource that came to mind was Susan’s journal. There’s enough material in there for an eight-hour epic. But if my wife’s journal is not readily available, perhaps I will have to become more observant, read more books and articles, and watch more television. Claude Bristol was probably correct. Little dots of ink can make men and women think. But I am concerned about television. Will my little dots of light make men and women fight?