Just saw writer/director great Joss Whedon say in an interview that he coaches his writers to fall in love with the “moments” rather than the “moves.” (e.g: of a move: so-and-so has an evil twin). The moves are the events that push the plot forward, the moments are when it all culminates into an emotional payoff. Great advice. Why, though? My take on it is that good moves alone can make a well constructed but ultimately boring story. The moments, however, the moments are when you say goddamn that’s cool, or you feel your eyes well, or you get that rush where you feel ready to take on the world.
Can you make the moments without the moves? Maybe in cinema: the advantage of music, lighting, camera angles can craft an exciting, standalone scene. I’ve seen anime where that holds especially true. Style is pushed to new boundaries, even the story loses relevance and meaning for me (sometimes because of the culture gap). It’s still exciting for me to watch.
In literature, I don’t think stylish moments alone can carry the reader, for the lack of cinematic tools mentioned. Both mediums, however, benefit from good moves leading to the moments. The payoff just isn’t as awesome without a good foundation. Kind of like a house that needs to have good bones to give long lasting support to a beautiful exterior.
Thing is, I write by the moments. I think of scenes without backstory and I go “Damn that would be awesome.” Then I start thinking of ways to link the scenes together, thus giving me the moves. What about you guys?
Anyways, thanks for reading my ramblings and I wish you all inspired drafting and insightful editing.
Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha 