The Magic is in the Details
The Magic is in the Details
Writing (and life) advice from the two Jerrys (Seinfeld and Lewis)
Writing (and life) advice from the two Jerrys (Seinfeld and Lewis)
Seinfield: “How many is too many? How many are enough?” (as in details)
Lewis: “You have to do it to find out?” (as in finding the details)
Jerry Seinfield had coffee with his most significant comedy influence, Jerry Lewis. Gosh, when two legends get together, and the rest of us get to enjoy their combined genius? Well, it’s more delicious than café au lait. And it makes for some excellent writing advice.
It was on an episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” Seinfeld wanted to dissect some of his favorite iconic scenes and bits where Lewis was in his genius.
You look for the detail.
In one such scene from his classic “The Bellboy,” Lewis simply walks across an empty ballroom. At least, he appears to be simply walking.
Seinfeld: “You told eight stories in the one walk across the room.”
Lewis: “Because you look for the detail. Most people don’t know the details are there.”
What they notice is that it’s thoroughly engaging. What they notice is that it’s funny. The reason it’s funny is that it wasn’t general; instead, it is filled with specificity. And it’s why it felt natural, even in its silliness.
Get specific, moment-to-moment.
The best actors are specific in their scenes by interpreting the writer’s intent: What’s the character’s intention? What’s behind the dialogue and action? What’s between the lines? What’s going on in the scene? They notice everything so they can embody it.
The best writers follow the characters moment to moment with curiosity and great attention to detail, it’s following as they take you with them. There’s such discovery in the most minute instances, surprises, even.
Slow it down, and then, and then, and then.
When you allow yourself to be inside the character's life, to discover as they do, those are the moments that feel most true to the reader.
Throw caution to the wind.
Lewis said, “Comedy is caution thrown to the wind.”
When you think about it, it’s the same with great writing. It’s taking risks by diving into the environment. Be in the character’s shoes with specific details and peculiarities of a character within their environment. What’s in the wind?
One tip I like to use: When trying to absorb the environment, the scene in full dimension, I look for a picture that matches what I imagine it to be. Like this one:
You can see the possibilities by sitting on the porch with the character, as the character, and absorbing her history there. Allow the story to bubble up as you sit in the rattan chair and rub your barefoot against the rough floorboard. Perhaps it conjures a memory or flashback.
Another tip: Start a Pinterest board for each of your WIP’s to capture images that mirror your story’s settings.
What’s in a pinky ring?
Back story and context. Case in point, when Seinfeld asked Lewis about his ever-present pinky ring on his right hand that he’s worn since his bar-mitzvah.
Seinfeld: “…the guys from your era, why the pinky ring?”
Lewis: “It’s from ‘the boys’. If you wore one, you had to tell someone where it came from. To be one of the boys. You didn’t just flash it.”
And, in that small detail, we gain another layer of character and context of who Jerry Lewis is. It fuels his story.
It provides a great opportunity when you play with objects, material possessions or obsessions for your character. It could be a piece of jewelry always worn, like Jerry Lewis, or a signature scent with a family history, or a style of fashion centered around one color, or a collection of pens with all the ends chewed, or a facial twitch when he’s nervous, or a morning routine that shows her compulsion for detail.
Here’s an exercise: Select an object or behavior, give it to your character and write a paragraph about it, infuse it with their story.
The magic in the details of life.
Details are also vital to living a present life, a mindful, moment-to-moment aliveness.
It’s noticing what’s in front of you: textures, feelings, sounds, colors, unique details, and nuances.
Not only does it keep you present in your own life, but it will also make you a better writer. As writers, we are students of life. For me, when I’m out in the world, I notice things all the time where I think, ‘oh, that’s a great character trait or environment detail.’ It becomes a running commentary as I write the scene and character descriptions.
I captured these observations while going about my day:
My barrister at the coffee shop had a smattering of freckles on his nose which wrinkled when he smiled.
The brass on the elevator button was worn off in the shape of a finger.
The teenager at the table next to me held his glass with his thumb and middle finger, the same as his father. They had the same hands, one smooth like a new canvas, the other weathered with cracked lines at his knuckles.
My sister’s dog uses his paw as a pillow.
My cat’s breath was cool on my arm as she purred next to me. Then she snored.
A tree branch lightly scratched the top of the glass table on the patio as the wind blew.
The person in front of me in line stepped aside when she noticed I had a couple of items next to her full basket. She had deep smile lines, a slumped posture, and short, plain, buffed-to-a-shine fingernails.
The magic of the magic in the details is how you allow them to surprise and delight. In what’s next. In what’s underneath. In what’s there when you look closer.
So — in conclusion
Seinfield: “How many is too many? How many is enough?”
Lewis: “You have to do it to find out?”
Get specific. Pay attention. Notice everything. It makes you a better writer.
Look for the magic. It’s in the details.
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