Are you guilty of binge-watching your favorite shows?
What if I told you that all those hours spent in front of the screen could make you a better writer?
A majority of us (around 95%) have grown up in a culture immersed in visual media. Most of us consume more TV shows and movies than we read books (though we can hope this inclination is balanced among writers). Visual storytelling has undoubtedly influenced our writing, whether we realize it or not. So, why not harness its power to enhance our craft?
I know, I know — this might sound crazy. “I don’t need to watch movies and shows to write,” you might say. “I already know how to do that.” Or: “I don’t want to spend all my time watching other people do it better than me!”
Well, It’s true! By watching movies and shows with a critical eye, you can learn valuable storytelling techniques and apply them to your writing.
But, how do you do this?
Similar to the concept of “reading like a writer,” watching like a writer holds significant value. Merely passively consuming content won’t automatically transfer its craftsmanship to you. If that were true, one might expect that all of us who have been reading books or watching TV shows and movies since childhood would have naturally become exceptional storytellers by now.
The real secret lies in deliberate practice: where you carefully examine what aspects were successful (and what weren’t) in a specific television series or movie that resonated with you.
Chances are, you’re already engaging in this practice to some extent as you watch. The next step is to apply it to your writing.
If you are still wondering “how to become a better writer?” grab some popcorn and settle in for a masterclass in visual storytelling.
7 Ways Watching Movies Can Enhance Your Writing
Create your writing flow
The most obvious thing you can do with movies and shows is to write down the plot or story structure, then use it as a template for your work. You can also use this as a form of inspiration, by using elements from another story that you like. If there’s anything about the way it was written that made you feel something, try to replicate that in your work.
Take note of how they pace their stories
Look at how they’re structured, how characters are involved, what elements are included and why they were included, what happens in each scene, and how it fits into the overall story arc — all while keeping an eye out for tension, conflict, and resolution.
Learn from their dialogue
If you want to write good dialogue then there are some great examples of this in movies too! Notice how conversations move from one topic to another, and how characters respond when they’re questioned or interrupted. Pay attention to what people say — and what they don’t say — as well as their body language during a conversation. You’ll learn how people talk with each other, so you can make your dialogue more realistic in your own stories.
Enhance character development
Whether it’s an action movie or a romantic comedy, all stories have characters that drive the plot forward. If you’re writing your own story, it can be helpful to watch how other people craft their characters’ personalities and motivations so that you can do the same in your work.
One of the most important things that you can learn from watching movies is how to develop your characters in such a way that they become real people to the reader. This means that you should be able to describe them in a way that makes them come alive for your readers.
Physical action/reaction
When you’re writing a story, you need to know what’s going on in your characters’ heads and hearts. But it’s also important to understand how your characters are reacting to their environment — what happens when they hear something unexpected or see something shocking.
A movie or show without physical action is like a novel without dialogue. Physical actions bring the story alive on screen, and they do the same thing in print. When your characters act out the events of their lives, they become more real — and so do your readers. They are so effective because it shows how strongly your characters feel about something — and how far they’re willing to go for it. Hence it is important to capture them in your writing.
It’ll expand your vocabulary
As you watch more films, you’ll start to pick up on new words, phrases, and expressions that can be added to your writing. You might notice that a character says something like “I’m so over it”; or maybe they use a phrase like “You’re killing me” when they’re angry or frustrated. You can use these types of phrases in your writing — but not too often or predictably — because they will seem forced and unnatural if used too often. But used sparingly, they can add color to your writing and make it more interesting for readers!
You become more entertaining
Watching movies and shows is a great way to learn how to tell stories entertainingly. The best writers know how to keep readers engaged by using things like conflict, tension, and suspense in their writing. But they also know how to use those same elements in their storytelling. You need to be able to hold people’s attention if you want them to keep reading your books. If your story is entertaining, then people will want more (and more). So make sure your story is engaging for readers and viewers alike with plenty of action, suspense, and drama along with humor where appropriate.
Whatever the source, I believe that watching movies, shows, and books and reading about them (currently in the form of blogs like this one) can influence your writing skills and make you a better writer.
Why? Because when you watch movies and TV shows, they become part of your subconscious mind. You absorb their storytelling techniques without even realizing it. And after watching enough of them, these techniques will start appearing in your writing — whether you’re conscious of it or not.
The influence of visual media on your subconscious mind will naturally seep into your writing, enhancing your storytelling prowess.
And if you’re seeking a supportive community to further nurture your writing skills, join The Brave Healer Writer’s Circle. This incredible community gathers regularly for healing, skill-building, accountability, and community-building sessions. Together, we can embark on a transformative writing journey, supporting and inspiring each other along the way.
So, embrace the magic of movies and shows, let them fuel your creativity, and unlock the full potential of your writing. Happy writing!
