YOU'VE GOT TALENT
I watched the first installment of 'America's Got Talent' and loved it. Some of the acts were funny, some pathetic and some great. Every new contestant was a surprise. Would they sing? Dance? Juggle? What? (One thing I especially enjoyed was the way the judges squabbled with each other and the audience instead of turning acidic comments on the contestants. I long ago grew tired of that with Canadian/ American Idol.)
As I watched the show I learned a number of things that apply to writing. I found myself anticipating what each contestant might offer. I wanted to be surprised. If someone sang, I wanted to be blown away. If they did magic, how was it fresh? If the animals performed, how was it different, better than what I normally see? I think readers want the same thing. They anticipate a surprise. In fact, perhaps they demand it. So I need to surprise my readers in a number of ways—fresh language, sudden turns, unexpected reactions.
There were a few acts that started slow and worked up to the best part. Usually one judge would hit the reject button if they had to wait too long. Sometimes the judges and audience waited, anticipating the pay off, willing to give the performer a chance. But I saw how hard some of the acts had to try to win back the negative impact of a long warm up. It made me realize that readers are likely the same. They don't want to wait for the good stuff though they might be willing to suspend judgment for a few seconds. So give them the good stuff from the first line. Hook them with a fast start.
One lady had a very well trained parrot. I know it took years of patient training to teach the bird all those tricks. The woman was talented. But she wasn't amusing or entertaining. I saw that talent wasn't the same as entertainment and the audience wanted entertainment. I suspect readers are the same. A talented writer, a flawless writer might win composition awards but it's an entertaining story that will win the reader.
There were a number of juggling acts. Some of them got booed off the stage, especially the man who kept dropping his objects. One of the judges voiced a concern. If this was their act, what would they do in future shows? The performers needed to be able to do show after show, and each time offer a surprise, and entertainment. A one-act, one-time performance isn't going to make it. I think that's something a writer needs to keep in mind too. Can I begin with a bang, a surprise, fast-paced entertainment, but even more, can I do it chapter after chapter, book after book? If I can't, perhaps I better go back and figure out how.
I'm anxious to see if this program will continue to surprise and entertain. Or will it grow old? See, like a reader, I want a continual diet of fresh entertainment. Quite a challenge.
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