4 Skills I Learned From Puzo and Tarantino

1. Deeply Develop Characters and Their Motivations

• Mario Puzo made his characters multi-dimensional, especially in The Godfather. Every character, from Michael Corleone to minor gangsters, had clear motivations, unique flaws, and a purpose. Puzo’s characters are complex, and this depth makes readers feel devoted. Outlining character motivations, their history and relationships can make them memorable.

2. Craft Tension and Drama in Every Scene

• He understood the power of suspense and strategic pacing. He created tension not just through violent scenes but by exploring family dynamics, business conflicts, and internal struggles. His ability to keep readers on edge—wondering about characters’ fates, loyalties, or next moves—kept the story gripping. These approaches could serve you well in your own writing, especially as you aim to build immersive stories with complex themes and characters.

Quentin Tarantino’s approach to filmmaking offers valuable insights for writing, particularly in crafting vivid characters and mastering dialogue. Here are two powerful takeaways:

1. Build Tension Through Dialogue
   Tarantino, known for his dialogue-heavy scenes that are not just conversations but build suspense and reveal character motives. Take Pulp Fiction’s opening diner scene: the dialogue is casual but layered with tension. In writing, every line of dialogue can do double duty—setting the scene, hinting at backstory, and creating unease. Try to create conversations where characters reveal more than they mean to, dragging readers into your characters' worlds.

2. Break Genre Rules to Make Your Own Style
   Tarantino borrows from a wide range of influences, from Grindhouse to samurai films, yet mixes these to create a unique style. In your writing, don’t be afraid to blend genres or flip familiar images in their heads. This can make your storytelling feel original. The key is to balance the unexpected with enough familiarity that readers stay engaged.

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If you enjoyed this, then you are going to love the book Angels of Death: Killers For Hire.

Empowered by the idea of vigilante justice, they become guns for hire. Despite being hunted by law enforcement. They are steeled with a taste for blood, revenge, and a revisionist definition of justifiable homicide. Marena and Andrea leave a trail of victims as they crisscross the Southeast and the islands of the Caribbean.

An associate of Regina's. Mr. Carswell hires them murder a corrupt New Orleans politician who lead his wife to suicide. Hopefully their last job since they long for a "Normal" life together. They are now on the run for their lives.

Will their love survive? Will they survive? What will happen to our vigilantes?