5 Things Audiences Hate (Writing Advice)

Summary

In this video, Brandon McNulty discusses five common mistakes that can alienate audiences in writing. He emphasizes the importance of preparing readers for genre elements, maintaining consistent pacing, avoiding unnecessary recaps, ensuring villains follow through on threats, and providing resolutions even when using cliffhanger endings. McNulty uses examples to illustrate these points, helping writers create more engaging and satisfying stories. He also invites viewers to share their own frustrations with fiction in the comments and encourages them to support his channel by reading his novels.

Takeaways

• 😀 One of the best ways to win over your audience is by not upsetting them.
• ✍️ Establish the genres you will be working with early on in your story to set proper expectations.
• 🚫 Avoid inconsistent pacing, as audiences expect the story to move faster toward the end.
• 🔁 Don't include unnecessary recaps of events the audience has already seen; it disrupts the flow.
• 🥊 Avoid pulling punches in your story, as it breaks the reality and makes characters seem weak.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Make sure your villains and heroes act in a believable manner consistent with their abilities.
• 📈 Pacing should be balanced; allow for cool-down periods but maintain momentum as the story progresses.
• 🎬 Cliffhanger endings are fine, but always include a resolution to the current story.
• 📚 Combining different genres can work well, but it requires careful setup to avoid confusing the audience.
• 📉 Repeatedly filling space with previously covered events signals a need for more original content.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed by Brandon McNulty in the video?

The main topic discussed by Brandon McNulty in the video is the common mistakes and habits that writers make which can cause audiences to lose interest in their stories.

What are 'genre elements' as mentioned in the script?

Genre elements refer to specific storytelling components that are associated with a particular genre, such as spaceships and aliens in sci-fi, or car chases and murders in thrillers.

Why is it important to prepare the audience for genre elements in a story?

It is important to prepare the audience for genre elements to set the right expectations and to avoid sudden, jarring shifts in the story that can disengage the audience.

What does 'inconsistent pacing' mean in the context of storytelling?

Inconsistent pacing refers to the uneven speed at which a story is told, which can confuse or bore the audience if not managed properly throughout the narrative.

Why should the pacing of a story typically increase as it approaches the end?

The pacing should increase towards the end of a story because audiences typically expect the narrative to build up to a climax, creating a sense of urgency and excitement.

What is the problem with unnecessary recaps of events in a story?

Unnecessary recaps of events can be problematic as they can bore the audience and disrupt the flow of the story, especially if the audience has already experienced those events.

What is the issue with 'pulling punches' in a story?

Pulling punches refers to a scenario where a character, usually a villain, fails to act on their intentions due to unrealistic or trivial reasons, which can make the character seem less believable and weaken the narrative.

Why is it essential to include a resolution in a story, even if it ends on a cliffhanger?

A resolution is essential because it provides closure to the events of the current story, satisfying the audience's need for a complete narrative arc, while a cliffhanger can be used to create anticipation for the next installment.

What does Brandon McNulty suggest as an alternative to 'pulling punches'?

Instead of pulling punches, Brandon McNulty suggests developing the hero as a clever character who can come up with solutions to counter the villain's actions, adding depth and realism to the story.

What is the 'question of the day' posed by Brandon McNulty at the end of the video?

The 'question of the day' posed by Brandon McNulty is asking viewers what aspect of a work of fiction most annoys them, inviting them to share their thoughts in the comment section.

What are the two books written by Brandon McNulty that are mentioned in the video?

The two books written by Brandon McNulty mentioned in the video are 'Bad Parts' and 'Entry Wounds'.