Why It’s Good to Talk During Movies and TV Shows (Yes, Really!)

I’m sick today.

This often happens to me at the end of a project. I have all this starting energy that carries me through the beginning (Act One), the middle (Act Two), and then as I approach the turning point to launch me into the final act, some Bad Guys Close In (germs) and I face a Dark Night (common cold).

Which is totally fine, because I have a ton of subscription television and hot tea!

I’m curled up on the couch with Echinicea and Goldenseal -yup, I’m a granola-eating Earth Sistah. But I’m about to chug some Dayquil because I’m also an entitled western woman.

You know what else I am? That person who can’t help but talk during a movie or TV show, pointing things out as they happen. That’s me. Talking during the show was a massive lesson I learned in film school. It’s also a key part of my storytelling process and the foundation of Page Turner Pacing.

In Page Turner Pacing, we don’t just watch shows or movies for entertainment. We watch to spot the pacing points and beats—the patterns that make a story binge-worthy. When you start paying attention to those patterns, you’ll see how expertly crafted pacing keeps an audience hooked. And here’s the fun part: it works even better if the person sitting next to you talks back! (Though I can’t promise this will work with your family. Trust me, I’ve tried.)

This is why my Page Turner Pacing cohorts are so special. We don’t just watch TV pilots—we talk about them. We pause during the “commercial breaks” to dissect what’s happening, why it works, and how you can apply it to your own writing. It’s a deep dive into storytelling mechanics that’s as fun as it is enlightening.

The magic really happens in the conversations. When writers get together to analyze the beats, share their insights, and debate the effectiveness of a moment, something clicks. You start to see the patterns everywhere—in books, movies, and your own work. And that’s when the real growth begins.

If you’re the type of person who loves dissecting the art of storytelling, who sees the magic in finding patterns and making sense of them, this cohort is for you. Join us in a Page Turner Pacing course or cohort, and I promise—you’ll never watch TV or movies the same way again.

Hopefully, I can stay awake as I rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Did you hear? It’s getting a reboot with Sarah Michelle Gellar back in her iconic role!!!!!!!

Just THREE days left to back the Kickstarter!!!