Say what you will, Disney is one of the long-time masters at presentation and delivery. If you go to their parks with the mindset that you want to have fun, they’ll do their best to make sure you’re not disappointed (long lines not withstanding.)
I’m flying home probably as you’re reading this (unless something dire happened at the airports with delayed flights).
But here’s what I learned from my 3 days at Disney:
They were masters at quickly identifying real characters among their guests and immediately capitalizing on the find. I went to an interactive show (the Monsters Inc one). They’d studied us as we came into the room and the people who became characters in their show had vividly-colored clothing on and an unusual manner. There was a bald man who looked like Uncle Fester from The Addams Family, a sweet-looking middle–aged woman who later exhibited an unexpected devilish look in her eye, and a suspicious-looking pre-schooler who glared fiercely whenever the camera was directed at her. They were hilarious. There was just something unique about them. And Disney had spotted those qualities during our 5 minutes in their holding tank before the show.
Using their technique, I took some great shots with my camera of some really interesting people. Disney World is apparently rife with interesting characters. I think I got 3 books worth of characters that I could accurately describe and create entire storylines around.
Want to learn how to write engaging beginnings that pull in the reader quickly? Disney’s got it down pat. They had, as far as I could tell, several techniques for doing it.
- The big one was directly addressing the audience in a conversational manner. (e.g.: “Oh! Hi there! Come on—come a little closer. Not that close!”) You know the technique. That works well for rides, but pulls the reader out of the book a bit if you’re writing it.
Their technique can be modified, though. The point is that they’re beginning with engaging dialogue. Honestly, most of the books I read don’t start with dialogue between interesting characters—they start out with some sort of narrative (which can lose me sometimes).
- Another technique they used (well) was foreshadowing during their rides’ beginnings. Now, there is plenty of talk about writing ‘rules’ and foreshadowing frequently makes the list of no-nos. Well done, though, I think it can be enormously effective. A hint of some kind of upcoming turbulence. Or even an emphasis on how happy and perfect everything is. They know their audience is mistrustful when everything seems to be going too well. Something’s got to go wrong. The audience itself has foreshadowed disaster, then…they didn’t even have to do it for them.
Their entire aim is entertaining their guests. They don’t go off on self-serving tangents. They don’t preach to their audience (even environmental messages are housed in an entertaining fashion). They don’t lose sight of their ultimate goal. They don’t stick in bits and pieces that have nothing to do with the tightly plotted show or ride theme. Too many books that I read start rambling about description that I’m not interested in, or observations that don’t seem to stay on-topic.
Honestly, they entertained so effectively that I’m going to touch on their techniques again tomorrow, including their satisfying endings. Hope you’ll come back by.
What a great thing to find so many characters for your books in one room. Very exciting.
What I love second to writing is reading about how to write. Great information as always.
I got picked to be in one of their interactive shows. My qualifications? Brightly-colored shirt and glasses–so I wouldn’t get any of the pie they threw in my face in my eyes!
On another trip, I also ended up in the hot seat at the “live” Who Wants to be a Millionaire show (at the MGM Studios park). That appearance I earned!
Since I live in this town, I’m never at a loss for character fodder. I’m closer to SeaWorld and Universal Studios, but the ‘entertain the guests’ (anyone else put off by the term ‘guest’? I NEVER charge a guest to MY place a penny!) approach is omni-present.
As for book beginnings — they’re tough. I probably rewrite mine more than any other scenes in my books, because dialogue between people you don’t know can fall flat, back story has no business being anywhere in the first three chapters, and ‘action’ for its own sake makes a reader wonder what the big deal is about.
As always, there are no ‘rules’, and you have to figure out what works for each and every story.
Elizabeth, yours is one of the blogs I would never miss. You always have such an interestng take on what might be considered ordinary experiences. I’d love to be inside your head for just one day.
karen
I wear bright colors, but I hope I’m never pulled up on stage! You’re so right; Disney can teach us a lot about writing!
The Millionaire thing was pretty fun. And it seemed pretty much like the real show–audience of 600, the same stage, the same lighting, a host kinda like Regis, etc. I think I missed the $125,000 question. I did end up with a nice golf shirt and a baseball cap, tho. (They weren’t giving away real money, darn it!)
We went to a Blue Man Group performance where my daughter was singled out. I would have been simply mortified to get up on stage – she was delighted and fit right in. I find it fascinating that people can select the ‘who will’ and ‘who won’t’ simply by the way you walk in a room. I also think you made some very interesting and valid points on writing techniques here and I looking forward to finding out more on satisfying endings.
The Disney conglomerate has always been expert on ‘what sells’. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be as successful as it is! I think a great deal of the appeal is the true notion that people want to be ‘part of the show’ – whether it’s being caught on camera or interacting with the characters. It takes them out of their own realities for a few moments and let’s them have the spotlight.
Everyone wants the spotlight now and then, not to mention a few minutes of fun.
Great post, Elizabeth!
Elspeth
Journaling Woman–Thanks so much for coming by. Yes, it was great finding such good characters. I’m back in the airport again now and there are plenty around me right now, too! :)
Jane–I’ve seen them on PBS…that must have been quite a show! If they pulled her up there, then she was probably the focus of the show for quite a few minutes, right? Better her than me!
Alan–It’s those shirts! I had on a boring black shirt and brown shorts. They were not impressed. So, did you get to be a millionaire? Inquiring minds want to know!
Terry—You must never lack good character material!
You’re absolutely right…different things work for different books and different people. Finding out what works is part of the challenge (and, later, the reward!)
You never cease to amaze me, this post included, how you use life experiences in such an eclectic way to enhance your writing life – and are able to share your insights with others. Nice job again today. :)
Marvin D Wilson
I think Karen said it nicely, you do relate everyday experiences so seamlessly to writing skills in a real and useful way—that’s also interesting. I, too, try not to miss your blog. I’m a big fan. But, I guess you know that. Good job…as usual.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
P.S. Can we do something about Alan’s shirts, Ewwwww.
Karen–Thanks so much! I don’t miss yours, either. Helps me to slow down and *feel* instead of flying around. I wish it were more fun to be in my head! I feel like I’m careening in a million different directions most of the time.
Marvin–Thanks! And thanks to you for the mixture of humor and thoughtful discussion on your blog.
Kristen–I would die a million deaths if I were put up on stage when I wasn’t expecting it. Every time I do public speaking I very carefully practice my delivery. Surprise trips on stage would make me suffer!
Galen–Well thank you! I’m a big fan of yours, too. Very clever material. I’d never have guessed that Alan was a loud-shirt guy!
Alan–That’s so cool! You were doing well to make it to that point. Too bad it wasn’t real money–but the golf shirt and cap are very nice, too. :)
Elspeth–You’re right. I really felt like they had gone out of their way to entertain me. They’re very good at escape, too.
I’ll try not to ramble! LOL
L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
Diane–Succinct! :)
It’s great that you seem to see SOMETHING that goes with your writing in every situation… amazing attitude I think.
And I LOVE narrators who talk directly to the reader (Tolstoy and Hugo both do it) but it DOES seem hard to pull off in most genres. I certainly don’t have the guts. On characters… my son gets picked for that kind of thing sometimes, which is odd–his sister is much more an attention seeker, but I think that is one of the things they weed for–they want compliments to their show, not show stealers.
Sounds like you had a nice little vacation and made some great observations. Thanks for clueing us in!
Hart—Or…maybe I think about writing way too much!
I’ve tried sort of a modified “dear reader” approach with some good effect: I have a couple of very short scenes with a scolding or opinionated omniscient narrator. It doesn’t seem to work well for more than a few sentences, though.
Okay, Elizabeth…do you EVER take a vacation from writing? Even at Disney, you’re thinking about writing.
Glad you did though because this was tres interesting.
Helen
Straight From Hel
You’ve just proven a writer’s mind never rests! Even at Disney, your writer’s brain analyzes and dissects. LOVE IT!!!
Great pointers. Hope you managed to squeeze in a little fun with all of that analysis :)
Helen–This was sorta a working vacation. :) My sister was in her work conference until 4, so I got to wander around and write at Disney World. The hotel was too quiet! Just goes to show how we can get adjusted to a routine…even the routine chaos!
Thanks, Janel!
You’re obviously a master at thinking like a writer: looking at every situation as a writing opportunity. I’m still not super great at that, although I’m improving. It really helps solve that “what do I write now?” question.
Sounds like you had fun! I think if I ever go to Disney, I’ll decide not to have fun just to see if they can change my mind. I think the long lines would get to me, though. I might have to cut to the front every time and when the people behind me get mad, I’ll just say,
“It’s okay, I’m friends with Alan Orloff.”
That should shut them up.
Jemi–Riding Test Track was a blast! My sister and I felt like little kids again….
I love Disney, and there is a reason it is among the best at what it does.