Have you ever noticed when you’re watching TV or starting a new book how many of them begin with the characters at a big event, like a wedding or a funeral, a graduation ceremony, birthday party or moving day?

Why is that?

It’s on purpose.

I first heard about this tactic from screenwriter Michael Jamin. (He occasionally offers free courses on screenwriting and some tips will carry over to novel writing. Check out https://michaeljamin.com/free/)

Emotionally laden events give characters a chance to talk about big feelings that would be out of place on a normal day.

A reader or viewer can learn a lot about a character’s internal life in these scenes without it seeming odd or uncomfortable.

You know from your own experiences at weddings, for example, what thoughts run through your head.

You may think differently about your spouse, realizing that after all these years you’re still in love and you wish the same for the young couple.

Or you might think, “This guy’s a jerk and so is his family.

I give the bride no more than three years before she sees his true colors and calls it quits.” (Don’t tell me you’ve never thought that at a wedding.)

Take a look at the movie “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

Everyone was amped up, wearing full sleeves of emotional tattoos.

Weddings = big feels.

And there were four of them!

Plus a funeral!

If you write fiction, it’s recommended that you show the reader what’s important ASAP.

A big event is the perfect opportunity.

People say and do and think differently at these sorts of events.

It wouldn’t be surprising for a character to decide to divorce or run away or change careers or do a complete 180 on their life path because their emotions are so accessible on big days like this.

The reader gets a look into the character’s psyche at a pinch moment, a moment in their lives where emotions are magnified.

In Simon Sort of Says, we get the big event in the second chapter: the main character is moving.

In Gleam: Semma and the Secret of Stuffmore, the big event is a birthday.

In The Hunger Games, the big event is the reaping, the reading of names of the participants in the next Hunger Games.

Ella Enchanted begins with the death of the main character’s mother.

Does anyone remember “The Graduate”?

Dustin Hoffman at the bottom of the pool.

Look at what you’re currently reading.

Did the author start the book with a big emotional event?

It’s a great tactic to use in your own writing to jump start your story.

Let the characters behave in ways they wouldn’t on, say, a normal Tuesday…and it won’t feel out of place.

As always, thank you for reading.

Enjoy your week!

Until next time,

~ Gail

Countdown: 27 more weeks of 2024

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