I watched the slam poets, The Dynamic Duo, while they were on campus.  Although I had seen them before, I still appreciated the old pieces they had performed as well as the new pieces they brought out.

What stands out the most about The Dynamic Duo is their stage presence.  They have a firm command of their audience and keep them engaged throughout the performance.  The Dynamic Duo had certain sets that allowed them to easily incorporate audience members without deviating too far from their set.  This technique involved minimal improvisation, although the two made it seem like they were making things up on the spot.

This audience control is something that all writers use.  By controlling what information the reader is privy to, the writer is able to make an otherwise ordinary moment in a story captivating.  This is not the only technique The Dynamic Duo used that holds application in writing, however.

The poetry that the duo read contained the kind of empathy typically reserved for intimate conversation among loved ones.  Their works were personal, inviting the listeners into their own lives and creating another environment, separate from the crowded room they were performing in.  The listener could feel their pain without worry that the judgement of others would soon be raining down upon them.

One of the greatest appeals of a book is the intimacy involved with reading.  A reader forms a relationship with the characters of a book, becoming engrossed in their lives, feeling pain when they do, wishing for things to help the character through whatever struggle the book presents, and eagerly yearning to know what happens next.  This sort of personal relationship is at the heart of every book and is one of the reasons that The Dynamic Duo was so successful.