If you had asked me ten years ago if I watched and followed any television shows I would have said ‘no’ and it would have been the truth. I couldn’t be bothered to watch anything on the small screen when I could catch up with friends, read a good book and browse the web. Today of course I’m singing a different tune from a comfy corner on the couch. I am something of a junkie albeit a Netflix ‘binge’ watcher and I probably should feel some shame for watching so much television and here’s why:
I should be writing in my so-called spare time. I have a story to edit (yay I completed the 1st draft of my story set in Downtown Vancouver) and fifteen more chapters (or so) to write for my WIP.
But I’m not embarrassed because watching the below shows has actually improved my storytelling skills and since I am a visual learner, emphasized the basics. Things like Plot Structure (every good story has a Beginning, a Middle and an End); Setting; Character Development (personality traits and tics etc) and Pace (cut out the non-essential). It’s got to the point now where I irritate my long-suffering husband with ‘plot predictions’. I say things like “ok so this is the part where we discover they’re actually siblings or if this character is going to develop and stick around for Season 2, something needs to happen to her that will bring her to her knees or question her loyalty…” The funny thing is I am getting really good at predicting plot twists. So good in fact my husband thinks I should write for tv. I think I should just write more.
Here are my favorite TV Shows (in no particular order – I love them all equally but differently):
1. Sherlock Holmes (the British version with Benedict Cumberbatch)
2. Game of Thrones ( I am in awe of George RR Martin‘s imagination and skill)
White-walker.
3. Breaking Bad – read Vince Gilligan’s writing tips here
4. Lilyhammer
5. The Killing – Wondrously flawed characters and Season 1 so perfect that I wish I had written every word of it myself.
6. The Walking Dead (I started watching this zombie drama because my eldest son is hooked and I was curious and well I’m hooked. If Daryl Dixon dies I’ll stop watching. Just saying.)
What television show/s has you hooked? What writing elements have you picked up from watching tv shows/movies?
Scribblings 
I’m a big fan go Breaking Bad plus – I’m guilty of watching a little too much also. There’s just too many distractions in this world!
So true:-) that’s why I look forward to the few ‘off the grid’ vacations I take every year just so I can focus on what’s really important.
Reblogged this on Musings by Melanie Dawnn.
Thank you for popping by and for the reblog Melanie 🙂
Glad to share amazing ideas and insight
I don’t watch TV very often, but I have to agree with Gemma on Breaking Bad. I got entirely sucked into the marathon leading up to the series finale. I started in the middle, so I need to go back and watch from the beginning. I don’t recall ever being that drawn into a series where I had no clue what was going on.
Yes please watch it from the beginning – I remember the first episode vividly! excellent tv show, arguably the best ever.
I’ll have to purchase the DVD, I’m clueless about Netflix.
To stream Netflix onto your tv you need an Xbox or PLaystation/other game console devices. And I have these because I have two teenagers in the house 🙂 plus it is much cheaper than Cable Tv..
I think everything is cheaper than Cable TV! Thanks for the intro to Netflix. 🙂
My favorite show is old, but if you have not watched, it is GOOD. Six Feet Under. Watch from the beginning other wise it makes no sense. I got so sucked into it that I actually think they live in Seattle and I could visit them…….
Thanks for the follow and comment Corine:-) Will have to check it out.
There’s certainly a formula you can pick up from watching tv shows and movies. I recently watched the entire ‘Luther’ series and loved it! it was mainly the characters that intrigued me 😉
I watched ‘Luther’ a while back and loved it 🙂 especially the weird friendship between Luther and the attractive psychopath (forget her name). Love psychological dramas/suspense/mysteries…
The attractive psychopath is Alice – she was a great character! 😀