I particularly remember one episode during Season 7. Although Jack, in previous seasons, had survived being held hostage, endured major beatings, dodged bullets, and survived explosions, I was sure that this particular episode was destined to be his demise. As the show began, “I am federal agent Jack Bauer, and this is the longest day of my life,” I was struck by how frail and near-death Jack looked. See, Jack had been exposed to biochemical weapons of mass destruction and this time it appeared that all hope had been lost. There was no cure, and everyone else who had been exposed had died. By episodes 17 and 18, Jack’s health was rapidly deteriorating. I was sure that this would be the one thing that would kill him. I was on pins and needles, and as I anxiously gripped my husband’s arm, I proclaimed, “Derrick, this is it. There’s no way Jack can come back from this one.” 

My oh-so-tolerant husband would patiently remind me, “Dee, it’s not real.” And while I knew that the show was fictional, I had such a hard time remembering this. There were times when I confused the fictional show 24 with reality, like quoting President Palmer as if he were, in fact, our current President. Derrick also pointed out something else. As the credits rolled, he reminded me that the writers, Robert Cochran, Manny Coto and Evan Katz cared about Jack as much as I did, well, maybe even more since Jack was their livelihood. So since the show was not going off the air anytime soon, I should be assured that Jack would indeed live. And what do you know, Derrick was right. Jack lived to see another season!

What a reality check that last statement Derrick made about the show’s writers. See, the authors knew the end of the story. The authors had the power to write a story of life or death; the power to change the fate of the characters. And this caused me to reflect upon my own journey as an author.  I, too, had all power over my characters. Did the name “Sue” match the personality of one of my characters? No problem. I could simply change her name to “Lindsey,” which better suited her bubbly, nature-loving, millennial personality. Was Seth coming across as too perfect? No problem. I could write in such a way to cast doubt regarding his impeccable characterization. Would Alex leave her husband? Would Barb find passion after 60? Would Shula strangle her mother? As the author, I have complete control over the story being told.