In order to continue to reading or watching, readers and audiences need to understand and care about the characters. Even bloggers have to create a compelling character in order to hold a reader’s attention. Yes, the action has to be exciting and there has to be some meaning attached to the writing. But, what people most identify with is the character.
One terrific way to help a reader connect is to “show” the character’s response to the conflict and action. Not the character’s internal monologue about how she feels about what just happened to her through the conflict and the action, what is best is an actual action or behavioral response.
Early in the story, the character’s emotional responses as shown through their actions help identify and develop the character. Later in the story, the character’s transformation is revealed through the transformation of their choices and behavioral responses.
We connect to one another through emotion.
A character’s emotional reactions that come as a response to other dramatic action incidents deepen the readers and audience’s understanding of who the character really is. When we know how the conflict emotionally affects the character, we care about the character.
Each time the character succeeds or fails as they go after their specific goals, follow up by “showing” their emotional reaction to their success or failure. By this, I do NOT mean, to “tell” us in internal monologue about how they are feeling, but to “show” us as an actual dramatic action response.
Writers are usually great at showing the character in dramatic action. Often, however, writers fail to “show”:
** the character in preparations for conflict
AND / OR
** the character in reaction after the conflict
Of the three — (1) a character in preparation for conflict, (2) a character in conflict, (3) a character in reaction to conflict — what scenes flow the most freely from you?
I think the reaction–for some reason!
I’m just reading this very good book–Power of Point of View, and it all seems to be tied up with the pov character, as well.
I find I rely on internal monologue way too much. This is such a terrific reminder for me to get out of my characters heads and b ack in their bodies.
Thank you.
Emotion is a tricky one for me. To infer emotion rather than tell about it. Will continue to check back. I’d like to know how other authors do it. HOpe to pick up some tips.
Thanks for the post. Helpful.
Writing emotion is much easier for me since I’ve become acquainted with Margie Lawson’s “Empowering Character’s Emotions.” She teaches online and in person workshops and also has lecture packets available to buy. She goes into great detail about nonverbal behavior, which is how people show emotions. Really great information.
good, I find your comments pure gold
Thanks Becky and kathyw for your helpful resources. Nothing better than when writer help other writers, in referrals, writing the books themselves, teaching, whatever.
Writing is solitary and often challenging. To have somewhere to turn is a gift.
Thank you for taking time to comment and for your kind words…
like in Remains of the Day–another character’s reaction to the stoic narrator (“Why are you crying?”)…
or just behavior, if they’re stumbling…
question
I am trying to get a free lesson. I am a blogger. Would it be beneficial for me to draw some bigger picture of what I am doing.
Develop a time line.
I am in a do nothing period.
Do I fill this time with with nonsence. How do I keep my audience.
The end of the war is when I begin to live again
Terrific question, anonymous.
I bet you’re in the Middle of your story — for many bloggers this story is their personal story — memoir-type writing. For others, they’re writing fiction.
Either way, it’s not uncommon to fall apart in the Middle. The excitement of the Beginning has faded. Suddenly it feels as if you’re just writing scenes to be filling up space — or, as you indicated — nonsense.
This is the time to think about the story as a whole. Where are you going with the story?? What are you trying to convey by telling your story?? Is there some deeper meaning you want the story of your life to show your readers?? Think about. Jot down ideas.
The Middle encompasses 1/2 of your entire project. It’s lots to fill up. About 3/4 of the way through the entire project comes a Crisis. Think about what that moment will be in your story. It can be a Dramatic Action crisis or a Character Emotional Development crisis. What’s best is when it’s both.
If you know what that moment is then you know where you’re going in your story.
The Middle is a great time to show an unusual world. If yours is a memoir about another time, show us that time period with authentic details.
The Middle is also the territory of the antagonists. If you know what your character’s hopes and dreams and goals are, start showing what stands in the way of her achieving those goals.
This will keep the tension high.
Use conflict.
There are lots of other posts on this blog that address the Middle. I’m sorry there is not some sort of table of contents so you can more easily find them, but scroll down and read to your heart’s content.
Or, send me more info and I’ll do my best to support you through this part of your story — it’s a quagmire that many a writer never makes their way through. You will, if you just keep at it.
Good luck!!
Oh, and don’t forget to ask yourself after having written a scene:
Because that happened what happens next?
If you know the meaning of your story, keep it linked to that. If not, just see what comes up next for you.
Remember, NOT;
That happened and this happened next — too episodic.
Yes:
Because that happened, what happened next.
Hope it helps…
PPS:
Help for memoir writers and a tip on how to determine where to start and finish your memoir, go to:
http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resc/type_memoir.html