How Watching TV Can Make You a Brilliant Writer

The inspiration you seek is waiting for you on the small screen. Just press play.

As a writer, television is my #1 inspiration — not books. Through TV shows, I’ve been introduced to more compelling and diverse stories than I’ve ever found on a bookshelf.

Through watching TV, I can study the greats and learn what makes their stories tick. It’s no different from a filmmaker studying Martin Scorsese or a playwright studying William Shakespeare.

Below are some of my favorite television shows, what they’ve thought me about storytelling, and how they’ve changed my writing for the better.

Skins

Skins is a British teen comedy/drama that centers around the lives of a group of teenagers living in England.

The structure of Skins was unlike anything I had ever seen. Each episode was told from a different character’s perspective. This gives equal opportunity for each character to develop.

This unique structure also revealed the plot in interesting ways. For example, an incident would first happen from one person’s perspective. In a later episode, it would show the same incident from another character’s perspective — revealing new information.

I also loved how Skins used character trailers. My experience of these character trailers is through Skins’ short-lived US reboot on MTV. But, from my research, I realized that they got that idea from the original British series.

But, on the reboot, they had trailers you could view on an interactive website. It was a GIF of all the characters passed out on each other after a party. You could click on whichever person you wanted — and see a video where that character introduces themselves in their words.

I loved the interactive qualities of this trailer. I also like how the trailer hints at certain plot points, and even whether the narrator is going to be unreliable or not.

I’ve introduced a similar method into my story preparation. I write an introduction of each character in that character’s voice. It helps me further develop the character and find their unique voice.

One day, I’d love to market a story using an interactive element like Skins’ character trailers.

Skins is experimental in the best ways. It’s encouraged me to experiment with the ways I tell my stories and interact with my audience.

The Office

The Office is a mockumentary comedy focusing on the workers of a fictional paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

If you know me, you know that I love The Office.

It’s not only one of my favorite shows ever, but it’s the only show I rewatch frequently. Even though there are nine seasons of The Office, I rewatch the entire series at least once a year.

One day, I asked myself a simple question: why?

Why do I always come back to The Office? I wanted to know what specifically grabbed my attention.

Here are a few reasons why I go back to The Office:

• Forced family: Whether it’s in school or work, we can all relate to being stuck in one place with the same people — whether we like them or not. The relationships that brew from proximity are interesting to witness. Out in the world, people like Jim and Dwight would never be friends with each other. But, after sitting next to each other for over a decade their relationship evolved from enemies to best friends.
• Romantic drama: I’m a sucker for romantic drama — and it’s all over The Office. From the will they/won’t they of Jim and Pam to Angela cheating on Andy with Dwight, I eat that up. Constantly wondering whether secrets will be revealed, love will be declared, and tea will be spilled keeps me coming back every week.
• Easter eggs: Every time I watch The Office I find something new, like a one-off joke or a sight gag. It’s clear the cast and crew put so much love and attention into creating each episode of The Office.

Watching The Office helped me understand what attracts me as a consumer. Being aware of what I love helps me enhance the stories I write.

Insecure

Insecure is a comedy/drama series focused on the love, life, career, and friendship of two African-American women living in Los Angeles.

It’s the first show I’ve ever seen where I’ve looked at the main character and saw myself in them. I had never seen anyone proudly proclaim that they were an awkward Black girl.

Not only that, the show featured an awkward Black girl as its main character. She has goals, dreams, and love interests. This was groundbreaking for me.

When I used to write fanfiction as a kid, I wrote from the perspective of a white girl. I didn’t know a world where Black girls (especially awkward Black girls that were dark-skinned like me) went on adventures, fell in love, and had happy endings.

I had always been called weird, quiet, and awkward. Those titles followed me for years and I struggled to shake them off even though I knew they weren’t lying. I knew that was me. I just never saw anyone who was like me — living, growing, and flourishing out loud.

Insecure inspired me to center girls and women like me within my own storytelling. It’s a shame this inspiration came so late, as Insecure began in 2016 — but better late than never.

Takeaways

Television often gets a bad rap — but there are so many great stories on the small screen. After I watch them, I peel back their layers and study what makes them tick. I look at what keeps me coming back for more.

Whether it’s characters that look like me, forced families, or experimental storytelling, it draws me in amongst a world that’s constantly fighting for my attention.

I invite you to not only watch more television but evaluate the reasons why you enjoy it. Those reasons, your personal taste, could be the building blocks of your next great story.

Nia Simone McLeod is a writer, content creator, and pop culture enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia. Follow her on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram for more dope digital content. She runs a weekly newsletter focused on inspiring creators of color.