TECH: A little hook does it...

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting December 22, 2013

Just an observation, more than anything. One of our local shows here on Japan caught my attention the other day with a well-done little hook. The episode, a fifteen minute one in the middle of the week, started with a little historical setting, showing us the great Tokyo earthquake, newspaper coverage, a shot of the boats bringing rescue workers, that kind of thing. Then there was a very short bit in Osaka with the young butcher that we have all come to know running into a restaurant and asking, "Do you have any extra bowls?"

Then they ran the credits that introduce each show. And when the show came back, they were following other characters. After a while, everyone turned up at the refugee center where the young butcher is organizing things.

In fact, they never explained the bowls, although it was obvious that he was asking for supplies for the refugee center.

But the great thing to me was how tiny that hook was. "Do you any extra bowls?" From a character that we don't associate with that kind of question, and then leave it alone. Let the audience wonder why this person is looking for extra bowls, and what that has to do with the larger setting that started the show. And instead of explaining it in detail, let us put it together as the show -- or the story -- goes on.

Nicely done, and with an economy of words.

EXERCISE: Just in time for the holidays!

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting, December 25, 2013

Here we go... I saw this on twitter:

Holiday Tip: Interrupt any family argument with “I will take it! I will take the ring to Mordor. Though I do not know the way" #LOTR

Now imagine a family group, gathered for the holidays, and one of them decides to make this announcement! How do the others react, and what happens next? Did the announcement come in the middle of a church service, or perhaps before cutting the turkey, or even while eating popcorn and watching the holiday shows? Go ahead, put that little scene together, and make us feel the wonder of a family holiday complete with the declaration of the ring bearer.

Whoa! And then he put his hand in his pocket and disappeared? You don't suppose he really had the one ring in his pocket, do you?

Happy holidays!

FILL: And what will 2014 be?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting December 31, 2013

"The future isn't a place that we're gonna go. It's a place that you get to create." Nancy Duarte http://on.ted.com/Duarte

People get confused about when the future is. It's as close as the next moment, or maybe tomorrow, if you prefer. And of course, today, tomorrow is next year! Which often makes us thoughtful, looking back over the last year and contemplating our successes and perhaps our failures. I know I find myself looking back, thinking about what I have done, and what I have yet to do. And sometimes heaving a big sigh, because there is so much yet to do!

Which brings us to that favorite of the season, the New Year's Resolutions. I resolve... Well, what do I resolve? What do I wish, what do I want, what am I going to try to accomplish? A year, untouched, waiting for us to commit ourselves, to start making steps on that unsullied field of possibilities. Wow! Talk about fun! Why, I could... Or maybe... And then...

What about you? Here we stand, or perhaps sit, or even sprawl, on the very brink of a new year. It's the year of the horse, here in Japan. Which apparently means skill in paying compliments, as well as perhaps a tendency to say too much. Skill with money and finances, quick thinking, wise, talented, and impatient, easy to anger. But... What are you going to do? Hang on that brink, like a story that doesn't quite move on? Or turn the page and begin a new episode, with a commitment to...

Write a story every... Week? Month? Or perhaps to simply make an observation, comment, critique? How about tossing in a question, for us to contemplate and perhaps gather in a FAQ?

What do you want to do this year here on Writers? What are you going to do to make it happen?

Go ahead, make a resolution. And then do it!

In 2014, your year to succeed!
Yeah!