|
||||||||||
|
Subscribe to the Absolute Write Newsletter and get the Agents! Agents! Agents! report free! Click here.
|
Win a 1-year subscription to Writer's Digest by subscribing to Absolute Markets-- all paying markets for your writing. Click here. |
|
| |||||||||||||
|
|
Four Ways Reality TV Can Improve Your Fiction by Jennifer Minar
My first love was "Survivor." Then, somewhat reluctantly, I moved into the "Joe Millionaire" mansion... with several other women. After many suspenseful moments between commercial breaks, a fondness for reality TV blossomed inside of me, and I've taken to new shows. Once, I was reluctant to voice my affection for "sur-reality" television-- the marriage of talk shows and MTV's more-than-a-decade-old "The Real World." I'm not talking about CBS' "Survivor," but the more exploitive shows like "Fear Factor," "The Bachelor," "Joe Millionaire"-- even the more unwholesome "Paradise Hotel" and "Temptation Island"-- the types of programming that show contestants going to sometimes repulsive lengths to win their coveted 15 minutes of fame. But not only has this programming stolen a special place in my heart, I've discovered that it's useful for writing fiction. Sure, these shows sometimes appeal to the baser instincts of viewers. Maybe I'm acting out of rebellion, or perhaps simply innocent curiosity, to allow myself to be entertained by someone else's failures, heartaches, and embarrassments. Maybe it's the same voyeuristic tendency that leads me to gaze through exposed windows a few seconds too long during moonlit walks with my Labrador. But isn't reading fiction voyeuristic? As entertainment, reality television strikes a chord with me-- and more than 17 million other Americans-- because we've seen ourselves in similar situations, having similar confrontations. In fact, I'd argue that there are definitely great insights into human behavior to be found on these shows. Contestants are placed in an environment and made to interact with people they've never interacted with before. People are working hard to win someone's affections, even if that person is someone they'd never entertain becoming involved with in real life. We witness their emotions, their strategies. We're watching, studying, and sometimes judging their behavior. What does all of this have to do with writing? Well, since many a reality program's premise was conceived in a matter of hours, they probably won't help you in the neighborhood of plotting. But they may be able to help with the following: Reason #1 -- Character Development. In your current work-in-progress, do you have a protagonist who meets with stressful or difficult situations? If so, while watching your favorite reality show, make sure to have a notepad ready. Remember, you get to study how people interact with each other in stressful and competitive situations-- for example, who they choose to ally with, and who they rebel against. It's great fodder for developing characters. I'm not saying that virgins of reality television should begin watching this type of programming merely for the sake of their writing. There are many other tools for developing your characters. However, if you're currently mesmerized by a particular show, multi-task by paying close attention to a few things. Study Body Language. Notice a particular contestant's body language when faced with an excitable moment. Does she have a habit of forcing her hair behind her ear when faced with adversity? Does he bite his nails when he's nervous? Does he stutter or resort to lying to ease out of a tight situation? How Do These People Move? Do any of the contestants possess a distinct walk? An unusual confidence or erectness to his/her posture? Do her movements suddenly change when she's angry? Or, when she's around a member of the opposite sex? Does she slump in her chair when she's upset? Do her eyes dart across the table when she's on guard? Do you notice any nervous habits when she's stressed? Perhaps a facial tick? Sarcastic eye rolling? Reason #2 -- Dialogue You see contestants experiencing varying degrees of joy, excitement, hope, passion, jealousy, anger, resentment, and loathing. Sometimes powerful statements pour out of the contestant's mouths when they're faced with the emotions these shows promote. Jot some of these down. If you're unable to use these in one of your current scenes, place it in a "notes file" for possible use later. Affectations. Does she change when she's around the coveted bachelor-- or suddenly act artificial? Does her voice jump an octave? Does she appear sweeter, more demure? Does his voice get deeper? His eyes, darker? Is he clearing his throat a lot? Running his fingers through his hair? Take note of what these people do, because you may learn that your characters do some of these things too. Reason #3 -- Suspense One of the greatest lessons reality television has taught me is the power of suspense. Before cutting to commercial break, these shows are careful to show me a clip of a big blowup. And to intensify the clip, there's always a voice-over announcing some well-crafted teaser. Here are some examples: When Beau carries things too far, Keith does something that will shock the other guests of paradise! Krista threatens to break Charla's confidence. Will Charla pack her bags and leave the island? They sound silly, I know. But, because I'm emotionally invested in these people, these teasers send me racing down two flights of stairs every Wednesday evening, to hastily pitch my Cocoa Puffs and milk into a bowl so I can return to the television well before the commercial break ends. I must catch the next scene from the very beginning. I simply must. Wouldn't you love readers to go to the same extremes to read your writing? Reason #4 -- Setting These shows often transport us to exotic locales or a setting we'll probably never experience first hand. Take notes when trekking through the jungle with these contestants. Take notes when you're walking with them through those Irish mansions. Study the silverware and plate ware. The expensive art on the walls. In sum, pay attention to how contestants respond to difficult situations, study their body language, pay attention to their dialogue, and examine the settings. You may pick up a thing or two. And it may help you to become a little more observant when taking in entertainment. For me, reality television is exciting. It's a great distraction-- a leisurely study of human behavior, and another means for my favorite sport of people-watching. And, just as importantly, it's great fodder for my writing. Maybe it can be the same for yours.
|
Sponsored links 
Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer! How to find a book publisher |
Text on this site Copyright © 1998-2007
Absolute Write, all rights reserved.
|
