What i learned from watching perry mason

Growing up parental control watching TV was very easy – either I could or I couldn’t.  The TV was the largest piece of furniture in our small living room and Mom & Dad had complete control over what programs I watched.  In those days I only recall having four channels so the choice was limited.  Choice was also determined by the direction the antenna on the roof was facing.  In my case the antenna pointed northwest toward Chicago.  I still recall the first innovation in having more TV channels was to install a motor on the antenna so you could rotate it.

We had a Saturday night TV watching routine.  In the early evening Dad would make a huge pan of popcorn smothered in real butter and salt accompanied by a glass of Pepsi.  We would gather together in the living room with our popcorn and watch TV.  One of the Saturday night favorites was Perry Mason.  This TV program led me to want to be a lawyer when I grew up.
Today, METV is replaying the black and white Perry Mason episodes.  I can’t remember any of the episodes from my elementary school days – so for me they are fresh.

 The writer in me has noticed there is a pattern or formula to each episode.  The first scene sets up a conflict and Perry isn’t involved yet.  The second scene somebody dies as a result Perry shows up or someone goes to his office to get his help.  Perry is always involved in the investigation.  His strategy is simple – find the real killer – not his client.
The series ran for nine years, I believe, because viewers new what to expect.  Yes, it was a formula – so what.  I thought about a few of the most successful commercial authors – Patterson, King, Rowling, Picoult, and others.  Readers know exactly what their books will be – the style, the language, themes, even topics.

While I have published the Irish Troubles Trilogy the protagonist and the setting are consistent but the rest varies by theme, style and point of view.
Honestly, I have never aspired to be a successful commercial author.  I don’t have the desire or interest for that writing path.  It requires complete devotion to only writing.  I have other important activities like grandchildren, volunteer work, being in a play reading group, European travel and many others.
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While I learned an important lesson watching Perry Mason, I’ve chosen not to follow it in my life.