how to write computer books

Raiders of the Lost Ark: 4 things you can learn

As you probably know, Raiders of the Lost Ark is the best movie that has ever been made or will ever be made.

4 lessons:

1. Action first, classroom second. The movie starts with an action sequence that is completely out of context. We have no idea who he is, what he’s looking for or why, who his friend is. All we know is — this movie is going to be GREAT. The classroom bit comes after the credits — lots of dialog, background information, and talk. Before you start the “education” part of the book, make sure you’ve hooked the readers attention with some exciting promise.
2. A worthy goal. The Ark of the Covenant is worth going after. The main point of the classroom scenes is to explain why: save the world is one good reason. Fortune and glory is another. Readers are like Raiders: how will learning/doing this make the “world” better? (Quite important.) How will learning/doing this make my place in the world better? (Very important.) Once you’ve established this goal, pursue it relentlessly through the book.
3. Cliff hangers and little victories. Indiana Jones keeps confronting and overcoming obstacles on the way to his goal. Confronting an obstacle generates a cliff hanger. Overcoming it generates a “little victory”. When you want to teach a new concept or technique, first of all describe an obstacle it can overcome. Then overcome it, let the reader feel good about it for a bit — then hit them with another problem.
4. Everything you want to happen happens. Granted, Raiders of the Lost Ark isn’t necessarily great in the artistic sense. But who cares? It is great in the sense that every time you think “I wish X would happen” then you can guarantee that it will — usually soon. What does your reader want to “happen” next? What’s the question they’re asking, the knowledge they’re hungry for? Either give it to them, or assure them they’ll have it later.