Raise Some Hell and Write Like the Devil

Watching the boob tube can make you a better writer.

Okay, what? I’m serious. Anyone who’s spent time with me knows most TV for me is a massive no-no. The reason is I’m easily sucked in and I find it a huge time-waster in general. However, when I need to buzz-out, let my brain relax, do a little chillaxing, you can find me channel surfing.

Yesterday morning, I skipped across amc, I clicked forward, then back. I lingered. I longed for more. I’d hit a Hell on Wheels marathon. Aside from leaving the house for a few hours for a much overdue haircut (picture me looking like Rod Stewart with an extra mop-top on his head), some errands, and faking the housework, I was glued to the tube all day long and half the goddamn night.

Well, hello, Anson Mount aka Cullen Bohannon

Why? Well, that’s the question. It’s just like reading outside your genre, exploring outside your designated safety-net. This TV series is a frickin’ goldmine of epic elements! Here’s what happens when great people screenwrite, and what we can do in romance:

1. Amazing setting. In this instance it’s the old West and the construction of the transcontinental railroad, focusing on the makeshift town–Hell on Wheels–which trails the railroad line. Something to borrow from any well-conceived movie or show is the importance of visualization, and writing your story as if it is already on the big screen. Think about the cinematography!
2. Rich character development (over seasons, in other words for us writers, over the series)
3. Femme in distress turns shit around and takes charge <—win
4. Plot: watch for pacing and cliffhangers, charged moments interspersed with less emotionally fraught scenes
5. Good guy goes bad, bad guy goes good
6. The dialogue of awesome–from funny to deadly to seductive–in as few words as possible
7. And every-freaking-thing can turn on a dime. And it should.​

Because I spend so little time taking time off, I’m a pretty discerningperv  watcher. In the past year I’ve devoured Sons of Anarchy and Walking Dead. I tried Breaking Bad for two seasons but there was no sexy and the only character I connected to was Hank. So…I go for dirty, explosive, insane awesome writing/plot….and zombies, of course. Am I taking notes and scribbling ideas while I watch? You bet your sweet asses I am.

I guess I’m a goner for a Rebel Son with a six-shooter. Final word on Hell on Wheels, I’m  in love with this brand from head to toe: Outlaw. Gunslinger. Boss. BOOM! Seriously, amc’s got it going on and I want some of that.

PS: It’s a million muggy degrees outside in the lowcountry tonight, but that makes sense, because IN HIS COMMAND–my hot, gritty male-male novel–launches Tuesday! And I know you want some of that action.

​So tell me, what TV series do you stop everything for?