Writing Tips from The Mandalorian

Like everyone else in the world, my family got Disney+ last November and immediately started watching The Mandalorian. It was worth every bit of hype it got. After the semi-disappointment of the new sequels, it was just the sort of thing we needed to cleanse our palette and remind us what you can really do with Star Wars.

That being said, it's not just a good addition to the franchise, it's good writing wise as well. Which is why today we'll be taking a look at it and finding what writing lessons it can teach us. Get your helmets and don't forget your blaster. We're going to space.

1. Nuanced characters

The characters (especially Mando and Cara) are my favorite part of this show. I love how each of them could have been a caricature, but instead they took it deeper and fully developed them. Mando is more than just a bounty hunter. Cara is more than just a tough female character. Even the side characters and people that only show up for one episode are intriguing and leave you wanting more.

When making your own characters, consider what things you can add to them to give them depth. Take it beyond what you first come up with. Maybe you have a bounty hunter, but why is he doing this? Could it be for something more than simple money? What about interests, backgrounds, or motivations? There are so many ways you can add to your characters, even if it's something small that helps them stand out.

2. Don't reveal everything

The biggest plot twist of the year belongs to the Child (aka Baby Yoda as the internet has dubbed him). If you saw the trailers, you don't see a peep of him. Then bam, he's right there in the first episode, a total surprise. By the end, we still don't even know his name or where he comes from. There are lots of these big plot twists and reveals throughout the show, building up the world and the characters, and it makes the whole thing that much more interesting.

You don't have to give away all the interesting bits early on, or even in your story's blurb. Instead, save as much as you can to surprise the reader. It makes blurbs tricky to write, I admit, but everyone loves being pleasently surprised by what they find inside your book. Use that to your advantage.

3. Overarching plot lines

Being a show, there are several episodes that are their own mini adventures, with their own goals, such as the heist episode, or the one where Cara is introduced. But they all serve to tie in with the bigger plot arc of Mando trying to protect Baby Yoda. They might not seem like they're important, but they always have a purpose in the larger plot.

Some series can feel similar to that. There's nothing wrong with having a bunch of adventures with different characters or plots for your series. But you need to remember to tie them into the overarching plot somehow (if that's your goal, anyway). Figure out how each episode in the adventure can help further your characters or plots, building up to the big finale.

4. Character introduction

The first episode of the show is masterful. We're quickly introduced to Mando, a mandalorian bounty hunter, as he takes down his latest prize. It shows him to be calm, smart, and efficient. But then as the episode continues, you find out that he's not just a cold blooded killer. He's actually kind of a softy under that helmet. He continues to be revealed as a character, including showing why he never takes off the helmet and who he is as a person.

It's important to show us who your character is quickly. You need to pick a defining trait to show first, and then evolve from there. And if they're not quite what they seem, you need to show that early on too. If you start by showing us someone as a murder for a hundred pages, and then try to show us that he actually is doing it because he has to, we've already set ourselves against him. You can show more nuances later, but show us the important bits first.

5. Easy to understand

Another great thing about the show is you can come in and not know almost anything about the rest of the movies and still enjoy it, like my sister. They give you enough hints and clues to follow along without having to watch six other movies. Sure, it helps if you already know what a mandalorian or the Empire is, or when this falls in the timeline, but it's not needed to enjoy a good story.

No matter what you write, you need need it to be easily understood, even by a newcomer to your world. Especially if it's a spin-off series, like Six of Crows or something. They should always be able to stand on their own without reading the original (even if that's preferable). Give your readers enough information to put things together and leave them thirsting for more of your world. They'll be much more eager to read your other books that way.

I could go on forever about this show, but I'll leave you with those five points. Go watch it yourself and see how good it is. I can't wait for season two this fall (hopefully) and it brings me hope for the other series they have planned. Also, I need my own Baby Yoda, please and thank you.

Have you watched the Mandalorian? What lessons have you learned from it? Do you also want a Baby Yoda? Tell me in the comments.

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