Can you feel that? It's blog chain time again. This round was started by Christine, and she wants to know how you're handling your emotional writing. She asks,How do you add emotional depth to your stories? How do you know when you have enough emotional content? And how do you keep it authentic?
These are good questions and ones I don't think I've consciously thought about before. Well, maybe a little bit I have. Whenever I read a short story by Lorrie Moore, I think how can I write a story that is both funny and sad? How can I bring my reader down to feelings of hopelessness yet also have him or her experience the funny subtleties of life?
I haven't found the answers to those questions, except for maybe: I try. Honestly, a lot of times I'm not thinking about emotional writing. I'm just trying to tell the freaking story. But if I've just come off reading something great, then I'm reminded about the emotions. So, I try to think how I would feel in the situations my characters are experiencing. And I feel like I've nailed the emotion when I go back and read the scene and feel what the character is feeling. But, it's hard to tell. I mean, I wrote the thing, so I know where the emotions are coming from. And that's why critique groups are helpful, as others have mentioned. I can get comments back on a story and tell immediately if my reader came away with what I was trying to describe. I guess having crit buddies is how I know if I have enough emotional content and if it's authentic.
I do hate inauthentic emotions, though. I hate when I'm reading something and the characters are freaking out over nothing. I guess I'm more a fan of the dialed-down emotions. Or maybe the slowly-built-up emotions. Or an emotion that is running steadily beneath the surface for the whole book, and that is part of the tension, and then when the emotion breaks, I'm either crying or really happy for the characters. When I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road, I thought it was very dark and depressing and just full of despair. But there were lots of hopeful moments, hoping for the characters, and that's what brought all the suspense. I mean, I wasn't like crying through the whole thing or hyperventilating with anticipation. But it was a persistent feeling, the sadness and despair, and the feeling stayed with me even when I wasn't reading the book, and that is the kind of emotion I like best.
If I'm going to be writing those kinds of emotions in my stories, I think it will take lots of revisions and reworking the story and stepping back and thinking about how I feel about everything.
Um, emotional writing is hard. You certainly don't want to hit your readers over the head with feelings, but you can't leave the story barren, either.
Hmm... I don't know if I've done this chain justice. Clearly I have more writing to do so that I can figure out my process and actually be able to explain it.
For more coherent discussions on emotional writing, please visit Elana's and Sandra's blogs. I know they'll have helpful advice.
10 comments:
You're totally coherent! I do like the subtle emotions as well. I also think that sometimes it's okay to have blatant emotions that are real and tangible that people can relate to. Like when someone dies or a baby is lost or something like that. Those kind of intense emotions, I think, are okay to let come out more fully than others--just because they ARE so intense and real.
I like your response - and I think the emotional aspect of writing is the hardest for both the reader and author...on so many levels. Nice post, Annie.
Yes, this is a hard one and I think your take on it was perfect. It IS hard and something that just has to come from the author. I always hope I'm pulling it off, but I can't ever tell until I get someone to read it.
I think your response is great, and I love your examples! The Road is one of those books that I keep on meaning to read, but it is just so hard to pick up a book that you just know is going to be soooo dark and depressing. One of these days though...
Elana- Thanks, sometimes I just don't know what I'm saying. I guess that's what revising is for. And you're right, intense emotions are important, too! As long as they are true to what's happening.
Christine- You've given me a lot to think about with your topic (as I've continued to think about it). I will def. be considering emotion more now as I'm writing.
B.J.- I guess emotions are just hard to put your finger on. Even in real life, not just in writing.
Kate- Ha, that is so true about being ready to read a depressing book. I've been meaning to read The Bell Jar for years, but I'm always afraid it'll make me spiral down.
I'm just trying to tell the freaking story.
I hear ya, sista!
And I agree, inauthentic emotions can kill a story.
Have you read The Book Thief The emotions in that book sound similar to The Road.
I like the idea of building emotions up slowly to the big release.
Kat- Seriously, it seems that just trying to tell the story is hard enough. Thinking about where the emotions are coming from is, ah, not something I'm thinking about.
Sandra- Nope, haven't read The Book Thief, but now I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the rec!
I'm totally with you. I've read books where I'll read the character's response and think "Dude, calm down...it's not THAT bad." Or get halfway through a book....(ahem, this is why New Moon is my least favorite of the Twilight series) and think "Okay, I get it, you are devastated, but come on...show some pride...at least brush your teeth!"
It's such a fine balance sometimes - great post!
Michelle- Yes, I hate it when characters are so devastated they can't pick themselves off the floor. I just think, "Wimp!" and put the book down.
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