We saw Wicked as a family on Friday. I know. It’s everywhere. You can’t escape the promotion, the commercials, the non-stop TikToks and Reels.
I know.
But seriously…
Have you seen it yet?
I’m obsessed.
Already planning on seeing it again.
What I adore about all the behind-the-scenes videos and interviews and beauty of the actual film is its intentionality.
No detail is too small to augment the story telling.
From the color scale to some body language hints to musical underpinnings to Wizard of Oz callbacks to singing live during stunts.
Writing good stories is all about the specificity and the details.
Yes. I am often preaching here about the big picture structural things and taking the 30,000 foot view of your story, but the details are where stories resonate with our readers.
Of course those details are nothing without building up the right scaffolding first, so don’t skip that step.
But when it’s time to get into the nitty gritty, don’t be afraid to get specific.
Do I know what it’s like to be green and have objects turn into projectiles when I’m angry?
Not a clue.
Do I know what it’s like to feel a little on the outside as the sensitive kid who couldn’t always control her emotions?
For sure.
More specifically, do I know what it feels like to be the shy five year old at a new friend’s birthday party who panics when I don’t know how to act out the animal sound I’ve been handed in the game and bursts into tears of embarrassment needing to be lead out of the party room by the birthday girl’s mom?
All too well.
Those details echo in the reader because of their specificity. We don’t need to have experienced the exact situation to layer it on top of our own lives. We have all panicked or been at the mercy of a surprise emotional reaction or been on the outside looking in.
Painting the picture is what makes that visceral and real and connects the piece to the audience.
Just like when Elphaba enters the dance hall in “the” hat. 😭
So paint your pictures with precision and detail. Don’t shy away from specifics.
Now grab your broomsticks. We fly to the theater at dawn. See you there!
Give yourself the gift of writing this holiday!
Let’s chat about how to partner in the new year to finish your book!
Reply to this email or fill out my contact form here.
Featured photo by Jesse Gardner on Unsplash