Adding a deeper point of view for your characters is always a goal for fiction writers. Emotions and reactions are all important.
Alfred Hitchcock, a master of suspense, would let the audience see the jeopardy of the character, even before the character was aware. Riddly Scott used the same technique in the film “Alien” it was only toward the end the creature was fully revealed. The stress the characters were under was depicted so well, and I think we can use aspects of that in our writing when dealing with stress in our stories. Even the most laid-back of us experience stress in our daily lives, and we can use those feelings as a resource too.
The last time I had to talk in front of people I found it very stressful so I made notes; physical, palms sweating, stomach-churning, a slight tremble, a shakiness that affected from hands to feet, constantly questioning if I needed the bathroom. Emotional, the feeling of impending disaster, but the rush of excitement. In equal measures terrifying and exhilarating. No matter how well scripted or rehearsed, here are some of the reasons I get stressed when speaking in public; what if the people are not interested in what I am saying, fear of running out of things to say, the fear of saying something stupid. I try to bring in these feelings into my writing. There are other things you can use to draw these stressful feelings, family gatherings, an important interview, anything that makes you stressed, make notes on how you feel. I keep the lists I make and refer to them when writing. Also on my stress list are, Heart Palpitations, pulse racing, a need to yell, an urge to run away, a need to control breathing, body temperature, sweating, nervously scratching, fidgeting. I make similar lists of most emotional and physical responses. For me, even the more negative things, like stress, can help my writing.
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.
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A Woman’s Secret by C.L. Koch.
Her Lover’s Face by Patricia Elliott. Click here to read the Prologue and Chapter one.
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Perilous Love by Jan Selbourne. Click here to read the Prologue and Chapter one.
Patrick by Callie Carmen. Click here to read Chapter One.
Shadow Visions by Gabriella Hewitt, Out Now!
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Coming soon.
The Brute and I by Suzanne Smith. The e-book is available to pre-order now at the sale price of $1.99 until the release date July 30th. Click here to read Chapter One.
Home by Keren Hughes, release date to be confirmed.