7 Writing Techniques so Good they should be Illegal

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[@timhouser]

7 Writing Techniques 1. Double-up technique Each scene should do double duty. 2. Tell the reader about the farmers. The farmers are ready to shoot the fox at any moment. Now the scene is suspenseful instead of boring. 3. No half measures. Tell the story behind why the half measure didn't work out. 4. Delayed emotions. Instead of displaying immediate emotions have them seem to be doing well, only to be triggered, later, by something small. 5. Funky emotions. Tell a story about your characters reacting in unusual (compared to everyone else) ways. Lifting weights during the apocalypse. Let them worry out why they think he's doing it. 6. Gold Coin writing technique. Periodically place rewards (character, story, new info, ...) to keep the reader reading. 7. Lean away from the happy ending. Convince the reader the win cannot happen.

[@kencolac2860]

1. Depth, subtexts. 2. Foreshadow. 3. Show don't tell. 4. Pacing, characterization. 5. Foreshadow, deconstruction. 6. Pacing, non flat plot structure. 7. Subvert expectations. These are good advices and good applications. But i think knowing the core is just as important.

[@Charmian-and-Iras]

Thank you! 🙏 Recap much appreciated

[@lunarzaveta]

Number 3 wasn’t half measures, that was the example. the main tip is to not make characters say their exact point everytime, but make them tell stories that show the point they want to tell the other character

[@euclidesribeiro8810]

The brilliant part about that story Mike tells is that he is again in the exact same situation with Walter, he is picking a half measure with Walter. Mike hasn't learnt the lesson of the story he is telling, and he pays dearly for that, which makes the whole arc super ironic.

[@Bookfox]

Great point!

[@billyalarie929]

YUP

[@r3quiem.]

I have been obsessed with your videos for the last few days. Your channel deserves more love. Keep it up.

[@Bookfox]

Thanks for the kind words! I really appreciate it.

[@FCSchaefer]

"Lean away" seems to be perfect antidote to the "subvert expectations" trope that ruins so many stories.

[@JustABitAlien]

The delayed reaction advice just solved a pacing issue I was tripping on. Fantastic videos! Thank you.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

Delaying the reaction to a traumatic event is such a powerful thing. With delayed reaction the impact is so much bigger because the person has been bottling up those emotions for so long. Also, weird reactions to something that brain considers absurd are very common. The most common reaction is to laugh hysterically when faced with a tragedy we never expected and it's legit. Brain is falling apart when met with something that contradicts everything it experienced - it's an advanced defence mechanism. Gold coin/gold nuggets technique - this is THE basis of good writing. Readers live for these. Lean away - great thing to keep suspense. if you want a great story with lots of great cliff hangers, suspensions and turning points read manhwa Wind Breaker by Yongseok Jo. I've read it twice (it's still ongoing) and this dude is a master of story telling.

[@chipsalancienne3080]

Wasn't expecting a fellow Wind Breaker fan here!!

[@jurikase1683]

Delayed emotions sometimes don't fit the character sometimes, but sometimes its also about the situation the character is in.

[@robmaxwell3076]

These are my favourite kind of videos - the random techniques, some of which I've never heard of

[@SpanishEclectic]

Dude! I love the finesse of these techniques. Not the same old same old, which having read thousands of books in my life, gets boring quick. I like surprises in a story; not usually silly or crazy ones for extreme shock value, but something that make sense on a deeper level and is unexpected. Great stuff, and I like the pace in your presentations. After all, we need to get back to writing! :)

[@abdullahkuzhan7247]

This channel is going to blow up soon. Just good quality content.

[@NuclearSnailStudios]

literally never heard most of these tips anywhere yet - and boy have i been procrastinating actually writing in favor of watching tips all over youtube! :D anyway, good stuff, love your channel!

[@leouvarov5106]

Among dozens of similar videos I have watched, this is the best. Thank you for that amount of actually useful information)

[@Frostbite08]

One of my favorite professors introduced point 2 to me as Hitchcock's "bomb under the table". "Four people are sitting around the table talking about baseball, whatever you like. Five minutes of it, very dull. Suddenly a bomb goes off. Blows the people to smithereens. What do the audience have? 10 seconds of shock. Now, take the same scene. And tell the audience that there's a bomb under the table and that it'll go off in 5 minutes. Now the whole emotion of the audience is totally different. Because you've given them that information. Now that conversation about baseball becomes very vital. Because they're saying to you, don't be ridiculous, stop talking about baseball there's a bomb under there. You've got the audience working."

[@Bookfox]

Yes, great example. Tarantino often uses this same technique, like in Inglourious Basterds when they're down in the bar talking before the huge gunfight.

[@JustPerusing]

@@Bookfox how do you do this when it's 1st person, present tense? You don't want to telegraph and foreshadowing seems kind of cheesy in the POV and the Protag wouldn't know of something like that.

[@playsam1693]

That's exactly my question. Because unless the protagonist is an outside observer from another table, he too would be too focused on talking about baseball to notice the bomb under the table ​@@JustPerusing

[@nicholasjohnson1075]

@@JustPerusing My friend Jack keeps going on about the Red Sox, I think, and I’m waiting to tell him why the Yankees will, for sure, win the AL East this year. I don’t realize this now, but none of this debate matters because, in five minutes, a bomb is going to go off. I wish I knew that now. Instead, I’m preparing a mental dissertation on the merits of on-base percentage over batting average as an offensive metric.

[@marcoestiercol6112]

@@Bookfox Also the jews hiding under the floor scene.

[@Grace26890]

I stumbled across your channel a few days ago and now I’m obsessed! Your videos are so helpful for me as a teen writer!

[@incog.nyto.]

The double scene is my favorite I think, it's such a cool way to have unique scenes happen! It also really works in establishing a character, your examples with James Bond convey this really well: he's a seductive secret agent and can do his crazy stunts while holding a conversation on the phone

[@jurikase1683]

Ha, the first tip, I realized myself, while writing, years ago. I allways go for the holy pyramid: Story, Charakter, World. Every szene I write, I allways try to explore each of these points.

[@SzaboB33]

This video was so information dense I needed to rewind at every new tip because my mind just went on a journey on how to use the tip in my book :D This was a compliment btw, I love your videos ;D

[@elchiponr1]

As to the point of characters reactions to situations, there is a personality system called enneagram, that can be really helpful to figure out a characters main driving forces, strengths, fears and weaknesses. Once you have figured out the personality type of the character, this system is great to use along with your intuition.

[@AndreSkipper]

I thought the video was about how to write jail till I saw the title lol

[@trikebeatstrexnodiff]

I went through one of the worst 'funky emotions' in the recent years. Throughout my whole school life I thought our grades we had during our elementary, middle and high-school years would count when applying for a uni. In my last high-school year (when I had decided to not study for the last 2 years that much since all my grades were top), I saw my classmates working their 🍑 off. Our teachers were BEGGING us to solve tests and they would even allow us to solve tests during PE and art-music lessons. I couldnt believe it. There was going to be one test- ( three if you apply for more chances to be there) which we would enter a uni based on the results of that test which mostly would consist of questions based on the curriculum of the last 2 high-school subjects. My brain refused to believe that. I didnt even study. My friends, relatives and teachers even asked what was wrong with me since I have always been a nerd studying for the past years. I still 'lose it' if that makes sense when thinking about it. It was unfair. Even if I hadnt decided on not to study, I still would not give my best effort since even physically my body refused to believe it. I never cried for it, my body and mind would switch their gears into a frozen state actually. It was weird to go through that stage of 'emotions' not quite matching with what was happening. I failed hard at two of the three uni entrance tests as a result, though my family was more shocked than being disappointed. And I was disappointed at everyone and everything for not informing us that our grades would simply... not matter. I would live my childhood doing childish things instead of always studying, and I would actually study at the end years instead of doing nothing in a frozen state of mind and body which were unfairly fooled by the system...

[@Myfreetherapy]

This was incredible. and in less than 7 minutes. Really well done. Thanks for the information!

[@orianaborselli4242]

It's funny to me how people criticize Howl for being "Dramatic" when having a meltdown over his "ruined" appearance when, at least in the movies (I haven't read the books yet but I've heard about them and want to) he is fighting in a war, being stalked by a crazy witch, persecuted by the goverment, and already has a mess of a life, like... of course he is gonna explode the moment one thing gets out of his control!

[@splatterybattery]

HELLO???!!! THANK YOU????? LIKE A TONNNNNNN???!!!?! No, more than that....!!!!!! I really was missing that perspective. I thought of it as so comedic and jeez to think there was such an underlying emotional connection I could've made the entire time. Ack. Well, thank you so much for enlightening me on this. I was like woah what a good video but honestly this comment has been the real treasure I found here. THANK YOUUUUUUU. HAVE AN AMAZING BLESSED AWESOME FANTASTIC HAPPY FORTUNATE DAY/WEEK/MONTH/YEAR/ENTIRE-LIFE. MAY YOU LIVE YOUR IDEAL LIFESPAN AND DI3 IN THE COMFORTING PRESENCE OF ONLY THE MOST CARING SWEET LOVING PEOPLE. AND IN THE AFTERLIFE, MAY YOU BE GRANTED MUCH MERCY AND WONDERS IN YOUR THEN-AND-ONWARDS FUTURE. MAY EVERYONE YOU MEET GOING FORWARD SHOW YOU NOTHING BUT ABUNDANT KINDNESS. I hope you get to read the books in your lifetime and that more people who should see your comment may see it. Surely you have much good you've said and will say in your life. I hope it has and will reach all the right people. If only I had even better things I could think to say to you cuz u deserve that too. So once again, ***thank you***.

[@captainstroon1555]

Delayed emotion also gives both scenes the time they deserve. If the soldier mourns his fallen brother right there and then on the battlefield, the emotions have to compete against the action of the fight around them. That can create interesting contrast, yes, but one of the two elements, the grief or the action, has to take a backseat. If he instead breaks down once the storm has calmed, you can explore these emotions in full without sacrificing another element.

[@RedGallardo]

I used one technique from this list and now I'm in trouble. My lawyer suggests I plea guilty and confess it was too good to ignore.

[@spiritmuse]

Related to point 4, I once read this about emotions that stuck with me- it is much more interesting to watch someone trying not to cry, than it is to just see them cry.

[@WankiTank]

if I ever do write my book, AND be able to proudly do so, it will be solely due to this channel

[@geordiejones5618]

Personal anecdote about delayed emotion. I was feeling extreme guilt for my lack of support toward the person who would eventually become my wife, but it hadn't risen to the surface. We were in this in between place where it could have gone either way (split forever or stick together). I was over at her house and I broke a bottle of some oil she used for her hair. I broke down in tears, and ended up having a very raw coversation with her about my shame for who I was, and what I wanted to be. It didnt happen immediately, and I still have a long way to go to be the man that I can be proud of, but that moment was a turning point in our relationship for the better.

[@lastoreoandmilk4997]

Brilliant video! I hope this comment acts as your "gold coin" to keep creating more. Lots of great actionable point.

[@mareejoy6113]

These are great! I’ve never heard of these before. Thank you.

[@aliensarerealbaby]

Your videos are so helpful, thank you!!

[@staycozy247]

How am I just finding you? This channel is pure gold for writers!

[@a.ismaeel]

For me, this video is titled “what nobody is gonna tell you”. Really awesome. Thanks.

[@meganbarbararreads]

So incredibly helpful !!

[@OlgaKuznetsova]

Oh, these are so good, thank you for sharing!!!

[@brucewinters-cr4it]

This is the most helpful video I've seen on writing. Thank you!

[@pictureel5863]

Great advice! I’ve only watched two of your videos and already my story is ten times better!

[@luisbiel9401]

I intuitively knew some of these but both and are things I have to work on. I am happy I did the gold coin technique before watching any guide just by observing wich books i liked most. Great vid!

[@thepredman9lol266]

This video was very informative and novel! ( No pun intended ) Loved the advice about delayed emotions... Moments like that in stories always tend to hit me hard

[@jezedrana]

And btw, I really like the thumbnails of your videos, they really want me to click on them!

[@daniloribeiro3526]

woah, this came way better than expected

[@reverendgirl40]

🤯 so good. Thank you!

[@ss-gr8lt]

Wow. This is a very good video, you brought up some solid original points here. Earned yourself another sub - keep it up man!

[@Bookfox]

Welcome aboard! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@itsmilesy_]

Okay I needed this video damn 👌🏼

[@Dragon123Slayer]

Great, underrated video.

[@albertorodriguez6287]

Great Video!

[@august8679]

1. Double up 2. Tell the reader about the farmers 3. No half measures 4. Delayed emotions 5. Funky emotions 6. The Gold Coin 7. Lean away

[@HeritageDrPepper]

The last one is a no-win situation for me depending on the story; a loss is more feasible to happen if the story has been set up to show that defeat _can_ happen. If the character faces "challenge" after "challenge" yet never faces a loss then even in the face of adversity no matter how strong, the only thought I can have is "what's the point of all this intended suspense when we know they're going to win, anyway?" and the "Lean Away" technique ends up just feeling lackluster and contrived, especially towards the end of the story. Though really, any story ending feels like that, to me. Nearly every story in existence ending the same way doesn't exactly allow for the proper feeling of suspense when the pattern is so predictable. I suppose on the flip side you could have the character win all of their battles, never suffering a defeat, set up that ending adversity suspense and then legitimately have them lose for the shock factor but give them a brief "learning experience" epiphany and a second chance to seize the triumphant ending. All depends on how you utilize all their interim battles. Regardless of my personal opinion on that aspect of story writing (not necessarily the technique but the overall setup of endings), this was a great video and I'm definitely saving it.

[@matthewkjames4498]

This is good if you are doing visual media with film, but with writing it's a bit more tricky as you must constantly remind the reader of the oncoming threat so they don't forget because they are lost in dialog. In film action is happening at that moment, in writing nothing progresses unless the reader reads on. Wish this was done with book examples instead of movie.

[@jezedrana]

Wow, these techniques are superb and I will definitely try them!

[@percivalyracanth1528]

Im glad ive been doing a lot of these things already. The gold coin trick tho is very useful, especially in projects with weirder structuring, since they still need to be there at strategic points all the same

[@CannataJeff]

Where can I get that shirt?

[@Mr.YExplains]

Thanks again

[@the7thseven873]

Indeed, indeed✨😌

[@billyalarie929]

2:55 Dwayne’s turning point in Little Miss Sunshine. I CRIED LIKE A BABY

[@notsubaru4464]

These techniques were right in front of my eyes, how did I miss it

[@chriswest8389]

The ‘ Mike’ technique Im now calling it, a corally of this, that can also be used independently,is make sure the story being told is Visually vivid.

[@chriswest8389]

A combo is always best- VAK- visual, auditory, kinaesthetic- action!

[@h.p6016]

These techniques are so good i see why they should be illegal!

[@compositeur8455]

Thought this was clickbait but actually ended up to be great advice.

[@jenniferabel2811]

If characters are reacting in unusual ways, there had better be a reason, and the reason can't be, "Oh, the reader can figure that out for himself, because I, the writer, have no flipping clue. But look how clever I was, there." In other words, this technique can guide the writer into crafting a truly compelling character (and guide the reader into understanding this character); or it can lead to meaningless, pretentious crap. Similarly, the "delayed emotional reaction" technique devolves into manipulative tropishness when there is no reason for it beyond a writer's desire to string you along. There has to be a really good reason for it, hopefully beyond "emotional unavailability," which is often boring--especially now that many real life humans have intentionally adopted it for themselves, in response to the glamorization of this trait in books and (especially) movies. **This is not meant as a criticism of this interesting video. Also, I'm not a writer at all, only a consumer.

[@DanielSalgadu]

A perfect example of doing 2 things at one scene is every scene of Killing Eve. Everytime there aways two things happening. At least one funny one. Also, every sworkin script has the same vibe.

[@packito685]

Bro u literarlly looks like Camus

[@briangunn21]

I remember Don Fry. He fought for the ufc

[@billyalarie929]

3:53 is that you filming???

[@Bookfox]

No, that's stock footage. But I was right there!

[@emanueladadarlat3159]

Unfortunately...that "lean away" technique is used so much that it has become predictable.

[@iluvSchleeping]

What do you mean you “shouldn’t even be telling you”? 🤔

[@AmItheTrashhole]

W

[@utpaulraihan8480]

I don't know why, you kinda look like Albert Camus

[@melindamara8802]

Its really sad that entertainment is now used to manipulate beliefs or emotions. Or cause hatred towards certain people, while abusing people if they dont accept others. Propaganda and social conditioning is vile.

[@melindamara8802]

I cant stand mr fox.