How to Hook Readers by Stealing Television’s Binge-Worthy Secrets
Learn how to make your novel unputdownable by borrowing binge-worthy storytelling secrets from television, including five essential scenes that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
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Every author dreams of crafting that unputdownable novel, a book so gripping that readers are glued to every page. But beyond grabbing a reader from the first page, the true challenge lies in maintaining that momentum for the entire story.
You want to produce more books, faster, and with fewer roadblocks that have the reader dog-earing or DNFing your books. But writer's block, sagging middles, inconsistent writing habits, and slow progress can derail even the most passionate authors. Then instead of picking up the pen or putting your fingers on the keyboard, you go and sit down on the couch to binge watch the latest reality show or streaming sensation, which manages to hold your attention and keep you from the page.
What if you could use those TV binging behaviors in your novels?
Would you like a method inspired by the very techniques that make television shows binge-worthy?
As a professional couch-potato (and trained screenwriter), I was taught to pick out the pattern of twelve scenes that are showcased in every television program and film. After writing novels for a decade, I've realized that five of these scenes are absolutely necessary to hold readers attention.
The Five Necessary Scenes to Make Your Book Binge-Worthy
What makes a story, or more importantly, a series of stories, truly binge-worthy? While a compelling premise, rich characters, and masterful pacing are critical, there’s one thing every gripping story needs: key scenes that anchor the narrative and keep readers hooked. Whether you’re writing romance, fantasy, mystery, or any other genre, these Five Necessary Scenes will give your story the legs it needs to stand tall in the crowded world of publishing.
1. Creating Character Empathy
Your story can start in countless ways: with a prologue, a flashback, or dropping readers into the action. But no matter the method, one thing must be constant—empathy. If readers don’t care about your main character from the start, they won’t stick around to see how the story unfolds.
How to Build Empathy:
·Extraordinary Qualities: Make your character stand out. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who battles monsters while navigating high school, or Sherlock Holmes, whose intellect is unmatched. Readers love rooting for characters with unique abilities or traits.
Extraordinary Worlds: Sometimes, it’s not the character but the setting that captures attention. Consider Mark Watney’s survival on Mars in The Martian or the quirky charm of Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls.
Save the Cat: The term “save the cat” refers to a scene where the hero does something admirable, like rescuing someone in need. For instance, Buffy befriending Willow in the face of high school cliques establishes her compassion and moral compass.
Pro Tip: Combine these three elements—extraordinary qualities, a vivid world, and a “save the cat” moment—early on in your book to create a protagonist readers can’t help but root for and keep the pages turning.
2. Directing the Meet Cute
The Meet Cute is the moment your romantic leads or band of misfits cross paths for the first time. While this scene is a staple in romance, it’s just as vital in other genres where key relationships drive the plot. One of my favorite meet cutes is in the opposites attract, buddy film, Lethal Weapon where Mel Gibson's Riggs tells Danny Glover's Murtaugh about a hollow point bullet he plans to commit suicide with early in the film shortly after they first meet. In the Grand Gesture of the film, Riggs gives Murtaugh the bullet solidifying their bromance and as proof that Riggs is committed to their partnership (aka undying love for each other).
Four Elements of a Meet Cute:
Whether it's electric chemistry, instant conflict, or an awkward misunderstanding, the Meet Cute scene sets the tone for the entire relationship arc. To create a memorable Meet Cute, it helps to break it down into four essential elements.
Setting: Where and when your characters meet sets the tone. Pride and Prejudice, Twilight, and Fifty Shades of Grey are all the same story; two opposite individuals are attracted to each other, overcome their differences, fall in love, and live happily ever after. The only difference is where and when it takes place. In Pride and Prejudice, it’s a Regency-era ball; in Twilight, it’s a 21st century, small town high school. In Fifty Shades of Grey, we're in a 21st century, big city skyscraper.
Trope: The story's trope hints at stakes. In an office romance, for example, reputations or careers might be on the line.
Attraction in stories comes in four distinct dynamics that shape the characters’ relationships. There’s the mutual spark of instant chemistry, as seen in Romeo and Juliet, where both characters are immediately drawn to each other. Then there’s mutual disinterest, like in When Harry Met Sally, where initial indifference or dislike gradually gives way to deeper feelings. Sometimes, the attraction is one-sided, as in The Notebook, where one character is captivated while the other resists. Finally, there’s the charming awkwardness of unspoken admiration, as in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where one character nervously hides their feelings while the other remains blissfully unaware. These dynamics add tension and complexity, making the journey to connection compelling and memorable.
Situation: Is the meeting heroic, embarrassing, or contentious? For example, is one character saving the other, or are they clashing in a battle of wills?
A strong Meet Cute isn’t just adorable—it’s foundational. It sets the stage for your characters’ relationship and hints at the challenges they’ll face together.
3. Planning Fun and Games
The “fun and games” section is where your characters spend time together, their relationship deepens, and readers begin to fall in love with them as a couple or want to join the ragtag group of misfits on their quest.
Three Dates and a Disaster:
The journey to connection often unfolds through three pivotal bonding moments. First, the characters realize they need each other, sparking an initial connection. Next, conflicts arise as they confront their differences, challenging the bond they've begun to build. Finally, a deeper connection forms, but their vulnerabilities come to light, testing their relationship. Each of these "dates" serves as an opportunity to introduce unique obstacles that push the characters closer together while also revealing their flaws and fears, adding layers to their developing romance.
This section is where your characters (and readers) have the most fun. But don’t forget to build up to the impending disaster of the Dark Moment.
4. Surviving Dark Moments
Every great story tests its characters, and the Dark Moment is the ultimate trial. This scene threatens to tear the characters apart or forces them to confront their deepest fears and flaws.
Types of Dark Moments:
Revelation: A deep secret or betrayal comes to light, as in Love Actually when Emma Watson finds out Snape is cheating on her and their marriage unravels.
Misunderstanding: Miscommunication creates a rift, like in Pride and Prejudice when Darcy’s letter changes Elizabeth’s perceptions.
Life-Changing Event: A tragedy or upheaval shakes the foundation of their world, like in The Martian when Mark Watney loses his potato crop and lessens his survival chances.
External Force: An antagonist or other external conflict drives them apart, like in Twilight when the vampire villain bites Bella, forcing Edward to drink her blood to get the poison out of her system.
Internal Insecurity: Characters’ personal doubts and fears sabotage their happiness, like in Buffy the Vampire Slayer's pilot episode when Buff ruins her chances of being accepted after pulling a stake on one of the popular girls.
In the Dark Moment, whether your characters work together or separately to overcome their challenges, the payoff should lead them closer to their happily ever after.
5. Pulling Off a Grand Gesture
The Grand Gesture is the emotional high point of your story, where your characters declare their love or commitment to the group in a big, meaningful way. It’s a moment of catharsis, where they confront their vulnerabilities and prove their growth.
Grand gestures take many forms, whether in romances, buddy films, or ensemble stories, but they all signify a transformative moment of connection. A declaration might involve a heartfelt admission of love or camaraderie, often a turning point born from growth and honesty. Public displays bring emotions into the open, showing the world their commitment. Rescues, whether physical or emotional, highlight bravery and dedication in moments of crisis. Personalization makes the gesture uniquely meaningful, reflecting the specific bond between characters. Finally, sacrifice underscores the depth of their connection, as someone gives up something vital for the other, showcasing selflessness and devotion.
These gestures cement relationships and bring emotional closure to the story. It’s the scene that readers will remember long after they’ve finished the book, so make it count.
Crafting Your Own Binge-Worthy Story
By incorporating these five necessary scenes—Character Empathy, the Meet Cute, Fun and Games, Dark Moments, and the Grand Gesture—you’ll create a story that keeps readers glued to the page. Each scene serves a specific purpose, deepening character arcs, building tension, and delivering emotional satisfaction.
Checklist for Crafting Binge-Worthy Stories: Actionable Steps for Authors
To help you implement the Five Necessary Scenes in your own writing, here’s a handy checklist to ensure your story keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Use this as a guide while plotting, drafting, or revising your next book.
1. Create Character Empathy
Introduce extraordinary qualities: Does your protagonist have unique traits or skills that make them compelling? Highlight what sets them apart.
Establish an extraordinary world: Is your setting vibrant and engaging? Does it captivate readers while providing a backdrop for the story?
Include a "save the cat" moment: Have you shown your character’s compassion, bravery, or moral compass? Give readers a reason to root for them.
2. Direct the Meet Cute
Define the setting: Where and when do your characters meet? Does it set the tone for their relationship arc?
Choose a trope: What stakes or challenges are inherent to their dynamic? (E.g., opposites attract, forbidden love.)
Determine the attraction type: Is it mutual, one-sided, or awkward? How does this shape their chemistry?
Create a memorable situation: Is the Meet Cute heroic, embarrassing, or adversarial? How does it hint at future challenges?
3. Plan Fun and Games
Design three pivotal bonding moments:
First encounter: Do they realize they need each other?
Second encounter: Are conflicts or differences creating tension?
Third encounter: Does their deeper connection reveal vulnerabilities?
Introduce obstacles: Are these moments layered with challenges (physical, emotional, or external) that push them closer together?
4. Survive the Dark Moment
Identify the crisis type:
Is it a betrayal or revelation?
Is there a misunderstanding driving them apart?
Is it a life-changing event, external force, or personal insecurity?
Deepen the stakes: How does the Dark Moment test your characters? Will it make or break their relationship or resolve?
5. Pull Off a Grand Gesture
Choose the gesture type:
Declaration: Is it a heartfelt admission of love or commitment?
Public Display: Does it involve showcasing emotions for all to see?
Rescue: Is someone saved, physically or emotionally?
Personalization: Is the act uniquely tailored to their relationship?
Sacrifice: What are they willing to give up for each other?
Tie it back: Does this moment reference an earlier event, proving how far the characters have come?
Take the Next Step: Perfect Your Pacing
These are the five necessary scenes of fiction, but there's more. What's worked for me in crafting over 100 books in ten years is a series of twelve scenes that I learned during my time working as a producer and screenwriter for television shows.
My Page Turner Pacing Kickstarter campaign features the nonfiction ebook, print and workbook. There's also opportunities for working through the online course on your own, in a group cohort, or one-on-one with me. From mastering these essential scenes to perfecting your pacing, I’ll guide you every step of the way.
As I said above, I can’t recommend Ines’s work more. She is one of the smartest people in the world when it comes to these things. If you don’t back the campaign, at least do yourself a favor and subscribe to her Substack.
So, what do you think?
"Which of the five binge-worthy scenes—Character Empathy, Meet Cute, Fun and Games, Dark Moments, or Grand Gesture—do you find most challenging to write, and how do you approach it?"
"Have you ever tried incorporating TV-inspired pacing into your books? What results did you see in reader engagement or reviews?
Let us know in the comments.
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