Billy Wilder is one of the greatest directors and screenwriters in the history of cinema, with such wonderful films as Some Like It Hot, Double Indemnity, and The Apartment. But his filmography wasn’t the only thing Wilder left us. He also shared ten valuable pieces of writing advice.
His advice, although focused on screenwriting, applies to all stories, including novels and short stories. Moreover, it remains timeless and relevant to today’s storytelling. Let’s look at their tips one by one:
1. The audience is fickle
Don’t rely on the public—or reader—alone when writing your story. Be true to yourself and don’t try to imitate the authors on the best-seller lists of the moment.
2. Grab ’em by the throat and never let ’em go
Begin your story with a gripping scene that captivates the reader, sparking their curiosity about what will happen next, why certain events unfolded, or who the characters are. Introduce intriguing and provocative characters and initiate the conflict as quickly as possible.
3. Develop a clean line of action for your leading character
The protagonist of the story should be realistic and driven. Create a character that readers will want to follow until the end, preferably a round character.
4. Know where you’re going
In other words: plot your stories. You don’t need to know every detail before you start writing, but having a clear idea of what you want your reader to think, feel, or do when they finish the story will provide direction and help you stay focused as you write.
5. The more subtle and elegant you are in hiding your plot points, the better you are as a writer
Write in a way that makes your scenes feel cohesive rather than just a sequence of events. Conceal dialogue twists within the setting. Mix up elements to surprise the reader.
6. If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act
The first act defines everything that will come next, just like good planning. Work out the plots from the beginning, be clear about where you want to go, and the story will flow.
7. A tip from Lubitsch: let the audience add up two plus two. They’ll love you for it
Don’t underestimate your audience. Assume that they are intelligent people and let them do their part. Let them participate in the story.
8. In doing voice-overs, be careful not to describe what the audience already sees. Add to what they’re seeing
Give your audience fresh information. Don’t describe what your audience already sees for themselves. Add what they don’t see, and use every opportunity to advance and improve your story. The same goes for the narrator of a novel. When the narrator speaks, better show than tell.
9. The event that occurs at the second act curtain triggers the end of the movie
Anticipate the ending; make it inevitable while still keeping it surprising. This advice highlights that writing is a craft. It requires planning, creativity, and hard work to lead the audience on a journey to a satisfying conclusion.
10. The third act must build, build, build in tempo and action until the last event, and then—that’s it. Don’t hang around
Learn how to conclude your story. Don’t beat around the bush. Write it in a way that captivates the audience, making them not want the story to end and inspiring them to share it with everyone.
Conclusions
Delving into these ten essential tips will not only enhance your writing but also refine your editing and revising process. Make sure your manuscript passes Billy Wilder’s checklist!