Five Writing Lessons I Learned From Napoleon Dynamite

1 – Good dialogue is unique and doesn’t just convey information but also helps develop the characters:

Don: Hey, Napoleon. What did you do last summer again?
Napoleon Dynamite
: I told you! I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines!
Don
: Did you shoot any?
Napoleon Dynamite
: Yes, like 50 of ’em! They kept trying to attack my cousins, what the heck would you do in a situation like that?
Don
: What kind of gun did you use?
Napoleon Dynamite
: A freakin’ 12-gauge, what do you think?

2 – Your characters need to want something. And let them be brave enough (or stupid enough) to go after it.

Napoleon Dynamite: Well, nobody’s going to go out with *me*!
Pedro: Have you asked anybody yet?
Napoleon Dynamite: No, but who would? I don’t even have any good skills.
Pedro: What do you mean?
Napoleon Dynamite: You know, like nunchuku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills… Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.
Pedro: Aren’t you pretty good at drawing, like animals and warriors and stuff?
Napoleon Dynamite: Yes… probably the best that I know of.
Pedro: Just draw a picture of the girl you want to take out… and give it to her for like a gift or something.
Napoleon Dynamite: That’s a pretty good idea.

3 – This is a painful one – you have to let bad things happen to the characters, especially the ones you love:

Deb: It’s Deb. And I’m calling to let you know I think you’re a shallow friend.
Napoleon Dynamite: What the heck are you even talking about?
Deb: Don’t lie, Napoleon. Your Uncle Rico made it very clear how you feel about me. I don’t need herbal enhancers to feel good about myself. And if you’re so concerned about that, why don’t you try eating some yourself?

4 – If your story is falling flat, introduce someone completely unlike your main character:

Pedro: Do you think people will vote for me?
Napoleon: Heck yes! I’d vote for you.
Pedro: Like what are my skills?
Napoleon: Well, you have a sweet bike, and you’re really good at hooking up with chicks. Plus you’re, like, the only guy at school who has a mustache.
Pedro: That’s true.

5 – Finally, always end with a killer dance scene

7 Replies to “Five Writing Lessons I Learned From Napoleon Dynamite”

    1. Sorry it took so long for your comment to post – thanks for coming by. And good point. Most successful shows, books, movies, songs, no matter how far outside the box they seem, usually do the basics well.

  1. Sorry it took so long for your comment to post – thanks for coming by. And good point. Most successful shows, books, movies, songs, no matter how far outside the box they seem, usually do the basics well.
    +1

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