'The Price of Fame' is a recurring theme which comes in early in the first book and is there throughout until the end. It's a global phenomena, affecting most celebrities to some degree, but for Lewis Macleod it's a major problem.
Since I first drafted the Naked Hero books in 2010, I'm delighted to say that one aspect of the backdrop has changed... A British Wimbledon champion is not such a rarity. But even still, it's cause for major fuss. Add to the mix that Lewis announces that he is gay on his big day of triumph then you have a media frenzy and the gutter press ravenous for dirt.
I've never been affected by press intrusion, so it was difficult for me to imagine what it's like for people constantly in the public glare, especially those whose private lives are of fascination to the tabloids. Much has been made of press intrusion in Britain over the past few years, highlighting the extent that certain unethical people will go to in order to get their story. I've drawn on this and tried to put myself in Lewis's position. His behaviour since winning Wimbledon is a reflection on this. I would have retreated, and Lewis does the same.
But of course the interest never goes away if you are still playing near the top of the game. The Paparazzi will always be waiting to pounce. This happens early on, and goes hand in hand with another, even more important 'Price of Fame' that features in the books, and will be the topic of my next blog... Trust!
Here's a snippet of the Media intrusion first...
Night had fallen as Lewis left the house and made his way to the hire car which sat in the driveway. As he approached it, he was momentarily startled by a flash bulb as his photograph was taken.
“Evening, gentlemen! How are you all tonight?” he enquired of no one in particular.
“Good, Lewis! Good!” came a response from the driveway entrance. “How are the preparations going for the Open?”
“Fine thanks.”
“Are you following the same training schedule that you used in Sydney?”
“Pis…” Lewis managed somehow to bite off the retort. “No, there are a few changes,” he offered instead as he reached the car.
“I look forward to talking to the changes tomorrow, Lewis! Enjoy!”
Feeling even angrier now, Lewis looked in the direction of the voice but couldn’t distinguish anyone who owned it. He ran through a few put downs but knew that anything he said would end up twisted, so decided against it. He quietly got in the car and slowly drove off. Another camera flash blinded him as he left the driveway. The life of a tennis star is never dull!
Since I first drafted the Naked Hero books in 2010, I'm delighted to say that one aspect of the backdrop has changed... A British Wimbledon champion is not such a rarity. But even still, it's cause for major fuss. Add to the mix that Lewis announces that he is gay on his big day of triumph then you have a media frenzy and the gutter press ravenous for dirt.
I've never been affected by press intrusion, so it was difficult for me to imagine what it's like for people constantly in the public glare, especially those whose private lives are of fascination to the tabloids. Much has been made of press intrusion in Britain over the past few years, highlighting the extent that certain unethical people will go to in order to get their story. I've drawn on this and tried to put myself in Lewis's position. His behaviour since winning Wimbledon is a reflection on this. I would have retreated, and Lewis does the same.
But of course the interest never goes away if you are still playing near the top of the game. The Paparazzi will always be waiting to pounce. This happens early on, and goes hand in hand with another, even more important 'Price of Fame' that features in the books, and will be the topic of my next blog... Trust!
Here's a snippet of the Media intrusion first...
Night had fallen as Lewis left the house and made his way to the hire car which sat in the driveway. As he approached it, he was momentarily startled by a flash bulb as his photograph was taken.
“Evening, gentlemen! How are you all tonight?” he enquired of no one in particular.
“Good, Lewis! Good!” came a response from the driveway entrance. “How are the preparations going for the Open?”
“Fine thanks.”
“Are you following the same training schedule that you used in Sydney?”
“Pis…” Lewis managed somehow to bite off the retort. “No, there are a few changes,” he offered instead as he reached the car.
“I look forward to talking to the changes tomorrow, Lewis! Enjoy!”
Feeling even angrier now, Lewis looked in the direction of the voice but couldn’t distinguish anyone who owned it. He ran through a few put downs but knew that anything he said would end up twisted, so decided against it. He quietly got in the car and slowly drove off. Another camera flash blinded him as he left the driveway. The life of a tennis star is never dull!