This week’s video shows how you can mimic the movie Forever Young in crafting a slam-bang opening that hooks readers by immediately introducing a fascinating main character.
Video Transcription: Beginnings are tricky. They have to accomplish all kinds of goals in very little time and few words. But arguably the most important goal is that of introducing the main character in such a way that the reader immediately gets a sense of who this person is and why they’re going to want to follow him around for 300 pages. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by introducing your character in a “characteristic moment.” Show him in situation that brings the salient details of his personality and lifestyle to the forefront.
This is accomplished marvelously in the 1992 movie Forever Young
. The opening shot features a early version of the B-25 careening through the skies, while test pilot Daniel McCormick (played by Mel Gibson) gleefully struggles to keep it under control. This action-packed opening scene accomplishes several important goals:1. It immediately grips the viewer’s attention thanks to the high tension of the out of control plane.
2. It establishes the importance of flying, which will be a prominent motif throughout the film.
3.It introduces the historical setting, since it’s immediately established that the B-25 has just been invented.
4. But, most importantly, it weaves all these important elements into a scene that introduces main character Capt. Daniel McCormick in characteristic moment. From just the few minutes of this opening scene, we learn that Daniel is a test pilot, that he loves being a test pilot, he’s skilled, he’s good-natured, he’s reckless, he’s funny, and he’s good under pressure.
All that in less than four minutes! By time Daniel brings the crippled plane to a dramatic landing at the end of that four minutes, we’re hooked. The beginning’s skillful introduction of character means we’re more than willing to follow Daniel through the entirety of his adventure.
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Before I even get started I guess I probably need to disclaim my title. The very fact that I was the type of person who wanted to write a story in the first place probably means I was never normal. Stories running rampant in my head, imaginary people demanding my attention, random bits of dialogue popping off my tongue. Yeah, most definitely not normal. But it gets better—or worse, depending on how you look at it.Related Posts: Utilizing Character in Beginnings
Story by K.M. Weiland
Tags: action , beginnings , characteristic moment , Characters , Setting , SYN , tension
Great lesson! Thank you so much for sharing.
You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
I think I saw that movie a long time ago.
You noted excellent points. It's hard to follow a character throughout a novel if I don't connect with them right away.
I hope I made that connection in my WIP. *nervous*
It's one of my favorite movies. Beginnings are tough (mine get written and rewritten), but this one nails it.
I often say I blame Mel Gibson in Forever Young for the unexpected conception of our second child.
I took Linda to see this for a rare date night, leaving our five-year-old daughter with a sitter overnight. It was one of those films that was funny, romantic, spirited, winsome, touching, all that stuff. We saw it in January of 1993. Ean was born that October, and that was it - no more Mel Gibson romantic adventures for the missus! 'Braveheart,' yes! 'What Women Want,' no!
Ah, the suggestive powe of fiction!
Another great one! You know your stuff. Thanks - that's a great thing to remember, putting the MC in a characteristic moment ;o) Going to check out your interview!
It's funny how putting the MC in a characteristic moment can be harder than it looks - but how the whole story falls into place so much easier when you do.
That was a wonderful guest post and vlog! Good food for thought in terms of introducing a facinating character. I can already see how I'm missing on this.
Plus, I think writing is possibly the healthiest way to handle the various characters and plots that wander through our mind's eye. I often wish they would all go away. But then, I would be kind of lonely.
It's been a while since I gave you a blog award, so I hope you'll accept this new one. You don't need to do the whole award thingy, just accept it in appreciation of what you do.
Thanks, Mary Anne! I agree that writing is one of the healthiest outlets for our semi-schizophrenia. I have yet to get to the point of wishing my characters would leave me alone. Most of the time I wish the rest of the world would leave me alone, so I would have more time to spend with my characters!
That makes so much sense because I know I was caught up in the movie right away when I watched "Forever Young".
It's a great movie. Brilliant all the way through.
Thanks Katie for that information. I have not seen the film(movie). I will see if it is on DH's shelf and view it, there is a valuable lesson waiting for me. Oh, and Mel of course!
It's worth watching just on its own merits (a young Mel Gibson being one of them. ;).
So true, KM! I love it when a novel/story allows me to connect right away *smiling*
I'm willing to wait through a slow beginning to give a story a second chance, but the stories that grab you right from the start, those are always extra special.
I love your guest post over at The Master's Artist! I could really relate to it!
Thanks! I'm glad others relate to my wackiness.