I’m sort of amazed by the writers of Vampire Diaries.
I know. I know. Some of you are rolling your eyes. You’re not into vampires. You think it’s too much like Twilight (even though, technically, Vampire Diaries came first). It’s just another one of those soap-opera-like CW shows.
But seriously guys. It. is. awesome.
Every week, the episode blows me away. Something crazy happens that I did not see coming. I think to myself, they can’t possibly top this. This should have been the finale. Yet somehow, the writers stick their heads together and outdo themselves yet again.
And the whole time, I’m studying. Trying to figure out their secrets.
Because these writers are experts in rewarding their audience, something Vince Mooney talked about over on Seekerville in a post titled, How Making Your Reading Experience More Rewarding Can Spell Greater Success.
Here are three way this show rewards the audience and three ways we can do the same:
Give them what they want way sooner than they expect.
How many times have you read a book or watched a show and you’re dying to get this one answer, but you know you’re going to have to wait until the end to get it? It happens all the time. Because in the writing world, we talk a lot about prolonging tension. But what if, instead, you just give the reader what they want? What if, sometimes, it’s better not to drag something out? Do you know how satisfying that can be?
Answer the question then hook them with another.
Some of you may be thinking, “Yeah, but if I give them what they want, then I’m going to diffuse the tension and there will be no reason to keep reading.” That’s very true. If you don’t have another hook waiting in your pocket. This show is the master in tension, release, tension, release, tension, release. Which means the audience is delighted, hooked, delighted, hooked, delighted, hooked. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a much better model than drawing out the tension to the point of frustration, even if the ending is really satisfying. Why not satisfy your audience multiple times? Hook them multiple times?
Embrace the shock-factor
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this show and thought, No way did that just happen! The writers throw in a giant, unexpected twist. They wrap something up so much sooner than expected. They kill somebody off that I thought for sure was safe. All which brings me to the edge of my seat, wanting more. Seriously, there is never a dull moment.
These three tips all share a common thread, and it’s this:
Don’t hold back.
Vampire Diaries brings it every time. It’s like watching season finale after season finale. They don’t wait to drop the big stuff until the end. They drop the bomb and find a way to come up with a bigger one.
I guarantee if we find a way to master this skill, we’ll write books readers can’t put down.
Let’s Talk: What writing tips have you learned from television?
P.S. These tips are all things I’ve learned from the show. I’ve never read the books.
