How to Write Emotions In a Story
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Many writers spend years trying to figure out how to write emotions in a story. This is one of the most important consideration points that you should explore, as genuine emotion is what hooks readers and keeps them engaged. Penning powerful emotion can be quite challenging, since many authors prioritize putting worldbuilding and backstory information on the page instead. Let’s refocus your attention on how to write emotions in a story, and your writing will flourish as a result.
How to Write Emotions In a Story
Even if how to write emotions in a story hasn’t always been your top priority in the initial draft, that’s the beauty of revision—you may not know what your book is truly about until the first draft is finished! Don't know how to write emotions in a story? You have several revision rounds to figure it out, as now your plot should be largely in place. (Especially if you’ve been using a novel outline.)
Many writers get lost in the minute details of a character, such as their eye color, favorite food, and peculiar hobbies, rather than focusing on how to write emotions in a story and giving readers some genuine universal truth to hook into.
So don’t put too much emphasis on what’s in a character's room, locker, or backpack. What they do for work (outside of elements that affect the plot) or what kind of car they drive. Those things give readers only a superficial idea of who the character is. Sure, whether they like mumble rap instead of country, this detail can give readers an idea of their taste, but it certainly doesn't show off the character’s soul. Not every detail is characterization, after all.
In order to capture the emotional depth of your character, it is essential to delve beneath the surface details to uncover the “how” and “why” of their journey. Remember that they have lived a past, inhabit a present, and dream of a future, and as such, each of these stages of life have had an impact on them. (The future may not have happened yet, but they are planning for it and creating a character objective. Or they should, if you want to have an active protagonist. Objectives are key to how to write emotions in a story.)
Take, for instance, a character who has grown up in an abusive home—instead of simply retelling their harrowing past, surprise the reader by exploring how their childhood trauma manifests in their present life. It might as well be the explanation of their character wound and the source of their character need, and you should know how to make that connection. For example, do they idealize their childhood while denying the darker parts? Do they make a fuss out of their old treehouse—still finding refuge there as an adult?
Uncover your character’s deeper layers—that’s how to write emotions in a story. And don’t be afraid to surprise your readers. Especially if you’re working with a topic—like child abuse—where readers might feel they have some preconceived notions.
Find a way to bring forth unexpected emotions. By giving your character surprising feelings about certain elements of their lives, you will figure out how to write emotions in a story that make readers take notice. For example, if your character receives a full-ride scholarship to an elite prep school, they may be overwhelmed with joy … but also they might be scared of all the hard work they’ll have to do. Or they might go into full-on impostor syndrome. Instead of happiness, they present readers with trepidation. This invites readers to dig in deeper to the character because the reaction is unexpected.
How to Write Emotions In a Story By Layering Meaning
Remember that you’re writing a novel, and you have a whole manuscript to introduce and deepen the emotional implications of various elements and events. For example, if a manuscript is about two best friends who are separated after one of them moves away, readers can expect an emotion of longing.
The writer will want to get the ball rolling by mentioning their friendship briefly in the first chapter. Then, in that chapter or a few chapters later, the protagonist will talk to their best friend on the phone. Or maybe see a snapshot of happier times in flashback. What are some emotions to include? Longing, sure. Nostalgia. But if the writer digs deeper, perhaps they’ll discover resentment, due to the hard work they must now do to keep the relationship alive. Or perhaps they feel the pressure of growing apart after the move. To learn how to write emotions in a story, you need to think through those complicated layers of feeling yourself as you build the manuscript.
Make sure you are showing the characters in action, too. Merely telling that the characters are best friends and miss one another doesn’t adequately portray the emotions involved. In order to craft an effective story, it is essential to avoid expecting the reader to fill in the details of how characters feel. Show them going through those thoughts. Put those feelings into action. Does the character reach out to their BFF, only to realize it's past midnight in the friend’s new time zone? Is there somebody at their new school who reminds the main character of their old bestie? Is mint chocolate chip ice cream not as delicious without their companion?
I often read manuscripts where the character states they're unable to stop thinking about their BFF, yet after reading through fifty pages, there isn't a single thought of the friend. When you’re exploring how to write emotions in a story, remember that you’re giving readers a peek into the character's thoughts. Use interiority to create emotion. Layer your story. Live the feelings first yourself, think through the potential ramifications that seem emotionally true to you, and then add them to the manuscript.
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