I’ve been re-watching the TV series Felicity on Netflix. I originally watched it when it first aired in the late ’90s. I was in high school at the time and OBSESSED.

Now that I’m re-watching, I’ve noticed things that I didn’t pay attention to before. Like writing lessons! Yes, you can learn a thing or two about writing from this amazing show.

Spoiler Alert: If you’ve never watched the show (WHAT are you waiting for??) but are interested in watching, don’t read on. I’m using examples from the first two seasons.

I sometimes have a hard time making my characters suffer. I know it’s necessary and I manage to do it, but it doesn’t always come easily. Usually I need to go back to a scene and make the situation even worse.

The writers of Felicity, however, have this concept down. There are so many moments when bad things happen to Felicity or her friends, or they get into awkward situations. I’ve actually cringed for them while watching these moments. Here are a few examples:

Example 1: In season one, Felicity goes to her first college party in her dorm. A friend borrows music (on cassette tapes – so retro!) to play during the party, but mistakenly takes a tape that has Felicity’s recorded voice (Felicity and her friend Sally send tapes back and forth instead of letters). The DJ plays the tape during the party, and of course it’s the part where Felicity talks about being a virgin. Everyone at the party hears about Felicity’s sexual inexperience. *cringe*

Example 2: Later in the season, Julie (Felicity’s friend/Ben’s recent ex-girlfriend) overhears Felicity and Ben talking about the upcoming road trip and the fact that they almost kissed. Awkward.

Example 3: In season two, Felicity and Noel are caught smooching. Who catches them? Their art professor. The twist is, Felicity is currently dating the art professor’s son, David. Oops!

As you can tell, there’s a lot of drama. And kissing. You need lots of DRAMA in books. Lots of kissing isn’t bad either. Especially in YA.

In each of these examples, you feel for the characters who made mistakes, because their flaws make them more real. You wonder how they’ll get themselves out of the situation. And you see the consequences of their actions.

In example 1, Felicity is mortified and now the whole dorm knows her sexual status (or lack thereof).

In example 2, Julie is hurt and stops talking to Felicity and Ben for months. She even writes and performs a song about how horrible Felicity is.

In example 3, Felicity breaks up with David, leaving him hurt, and she realizes she still has feelings for Noel, who already has a girlfriend. Things get complicated.

There are so many more examples in this show, and it’s one of the reasons why I love it. It’s fun to watch characters get into sticky situations and then get themselves out of them. As writers, that’s what we need to achieve for our characters. Make them suffer! Your readers will be glad you did.

Are you good at making your characters suffer? Any other Felicity fans out there?

Since I’m only halfway through season two (of four), I’ll share different lessons in a few posts as I finish the series.