Writing Tips from Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones movies are some of my favorite action movies, and not just because I'm mildly obsessed with Harrison Ford films. They have everything you could want in a movie- adventure, mystery, booby traps, a resourceful protagonist, and Nazis. There are lots of great things we can learn from it, so let's take a look at them.

Give your hero fears and flaws

Indiana Jones is a classic hero. Charismatic, adventuresome, daring, and smart. But he's also human, and that's made very clear throughout the movies. Even if he doesn't seem fazed by being punched in the face a million times, he does have his flaws. He's cocky, sometimes doesn't know when to quit, and can't resist a pretty lady (which does get him in trouble). He's also afraid of snakes, which helps him seem more on our level.

What sorts of flaws and fears can you give your heroes, especially the dashing or seemingly perfect ones? I've always loved Indy's fear of snakes because it's something I can relate to. That's the sort of fears that you should give your heroes, along with deeper fears, like losing those they love. And the same with flaws. Any good personality trait your hero has should be off-set by a flaw to keep it in check.

Keep it mysterious

One of my favorite things about these movies has to be the beginnings. I could do a whole post just on that, but what I want to focus on now is how keeps things mysterious. We're dropped into a situation with a lot of questions coming immediately to mind. But not so much that we want to quit. Why are we in the jungle? Where are we going? And who is that mysterious figure. By the time we learn the answers to those questions, more have arisen to keep us engaged.

How can you add mysterious touches to your work? You don't always have to explain everything right away. In fact, it can sometimes be better if you keep readers guessing for a bit. A thread of mysteriousness running through your story could be just the touch your missing.

A touch of the supernatural

Every Indiana Jones film has a basis in fact, but with a touch of other-worldliness. From the Arc of the Covenant to the Holy Grail, there's always something there that can't really be explained by science or facts. That's one thing I enjoy about these, versus something like Sherlock where it always turns out to be a human, no matter what it is. These supernatural parts are what makes the stories extra memorable.

Not all stories can include something of another world, but if yours can, why not add it? Do be careful though, as this can become a bit of a deus ex machina. This can also leave readers thinking and wondering a bit more than just a normal, explainable story would.

Perfect your pacing

A rip-roaring action sequence, followed by a quiet moment on campus. A exciting chase scene, then a moment of reprieve. The Indiana Jones movies are excellent at pacing out the important informational scenes and the action parts without one or the other seeming drawn out or boring. Before you can get tired of one or the other, it's switched to something new. The reaction scenes are a bit lacking, but I think we can forgive them as it is an action movie with a flat change arc.

How is the pacing in your book? Are your high action scenes followed by moments of calm, or broken up by them at least? It's important to not have your story be all action or all talking. Both action and reaction scenes are necessary for a strong novel. (K. M. Weiland has some great posts on this if you want to learn more.)

Don't forget allies

I would be remiss to have a post about Indiana Jones and not mention his sidekicks. That's another of my favorite parts of his character. He doesn't go it alone like some people I could mention *cough*Batman*cough*. He has companions and allies that help him throughout the movies. Short Round, Sallah, and Marianne are a few of my favorites.

Does your hero have allies that can help him or her on their quest? It doesn't even have to be a sidekick. Mentors, parents, grandmas, and younger siblings can all be a help to your hero. Think of ways that they can help the hero do what he could not without them. Do they have information? A special skill set? Or just provide extra muscle?

Have you watched any Indiana Jones movies? What's your favorite scene? And what writing lessons have you learned from it? Tell me in the comments.

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