SHOWING EMOTIONS IN OUR WRITING. – Black Velvet Seductions

Showing emotions. I think this is a hot topic; most of us struggle a bit with this at first, as we write more, it does get easier. Writing emotions is a big topic too, so I am going to cover the subject over a few blogs. Writing on this topic, I have taken advice from a couple of editors and some of my close writing buddies.

I am sure we all start in first drafts with something like he or she got angry. Rather than telling, it is much more engaging for the reader to get a feel it through the character through their actions. Would a child stomp afoot when they were angry? Did they slam a cupboard door in anger? A fist might ball, or clench, knuckles might go white?

We often experience emotions in combinations of anger and frustration. They are also not static. They grow and subside, then swell and boil, they cloak, cocoon, envelop and overwhelm. Exploring other emotions and actions. Put yourself in the shoes of your character. Do you stare at your feet when ashamed? Bounce for joy on a bed when you won the lottery? Do your nipples grow hard when you think of your lover? Use your feelings and experiences to explore your characters. I have heard many authors say, “But my character wouldn’t do that.” It is all a part of learning about and building your characters.

Maybe you have some tips you would like to share? How do you get into your characters? What makes them tick?

I’d love to hear your comments here on the blog, the BVS Facebook page, or my Facebook page. We have a twitter page too and we are always happy to follow people that follow us.