I finally got around to watching some of the first season of Duck Dynasty. Yeah. I hear ya...  Dude, Duck Dynasty's in it's fourth season already! So I'm a late bloomer. Don't judge me.

Anyhoo, it is freaking funny and endearing in a quirky sort of redneck way. And in case you're wondering, Uncle Si is my favorite.

Now that we've got that out of the way, let's dissect it. Why is this show such a hit? What qualities can a writer mimic that will attract readers to their story?

3 Writerly Tricks From Duck Dynasty

1. Construct real deal characters.
The members of the Robertson clan are wholly unpretentious, doing and saying things we all do and say, whether we admit to it or not. They are relatable, personable, and unpredictable...which is the best model for fictional characters. Fashion your characters into "people" that your readers will wish were real. Make them into folks that readers want to spend time with.

How is that accomplished? Hero, villain, or secondary nobody, each character needs to have some kind of endearing quality. Examples? Give your bad guy a puppy. Your hero a shyness around old ladies. Toss in a bartender who loves to give hugs. Get the idea?

2. Give 'em that old time religion.
One of my favorite scenes in the show is at the end, when the Robertsons sit around the table and pray before they eat. Despite their beards and antics, it's their traditional values that intrigues viewers, believers or not. People, especially in today's whacked out culture, are curious about what lived-out faith looks like. Unfortunately, this is somewhat of a novelty, but it's also inspiring and attractive.

Work Biblical truths deep into your stories. Don't just slap in a preacher who stands on the corner and blasts the Gospel. Some readers will like that but most will just be annoyed. Spread it out. Maybe your heroine is committed to never lying, or there's a trash collector who lives next to the hero that faithfully cares for his aging father. There's 2 commandments right there without blatantly denting anyone's skull with a Bible.

3. Yuk it up there, happy pants.
Duck Dynasty is a light-hearted show. The Robertsons love to laugh, especially at themselves. Case in point:

Humor MUST be a part of your story or newspaper article or even something as trivial as a letter to Aunt Matilda. No matter what you're writing, include something that will make a reader smile.

The best way to breach an intense topic is by humor because confrontational or uncomfortable subjects are unbearable without it. It's the mixture of tension with whimsy that makes a full-bodied memorable read.

Though I've only watched a few episodes of Duck Dynasty, I'm hooked...and that, my writerly friends, is exactly the feeling you want to recreate in your readers.