When a book causes tears to run down your cheeks due to emotional turmoil involving the main character, it’s obtained one of its goals. A good goal. A book needs to grab the reader, pull them in, and not let them go until the last page. A well written book evokes emotions in its readers.
I just read “Point of Retreat” by Colleen Hoover. My emotions flew all over the board. I became so angry at the main character I wanted to choke her. I cried, and I don’t mean a tear welled in my eye, I mean they streamed down my face, in more than one place in the book. And, right when I felt I couldn’t take anymore and neither could the characters, I got smacked with one more thing not going their way. I actually cussed at the author! Then, I smiled, and said “Well done Colleen Hoover, well done.” This, to me, is an excellent example of evoking emotion in your reader. (Note: If you’re interested in reading this book, read “Slammed” first. It’s the beginning of the storyline.)
We all know there’s a lot of information concerning writing, some good, some not so good. There are blogs, articles, books on outlining, plot, characters, genres and non fiction. What surprises me, is that I haven’t seen much information on creating emotion. I believe this is an extremely important key ingredient to the recipe.
What do you think?
Until Next Time…
Jens Thoughts 
[…] Emotions Anyone? (jenowenby.wordpress.com) […]
It’s so rare these days to find a book that attaches to you so closely, Books like these show you how the writer has put true emotions into the story. 🙂
I agree. I’ve read many a book that I enjoyed, but it didn’t truly engage me. I have no issue shedding some tears for a great read! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes! I become so involved with the characters in the book that the story “haunts” me during the day. Like they’re real people — only a few books have ever done that to me.
I’ve had that same experience. Thanks for sharing!
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Good post, Jen. I love a book which grabs my emotions; it doesn’t happen that often but when it does (eg This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson) it’s sure to stay in my memory and get recommended to a lot of people. As for writing emotion – unless I feel the emotions along with my characters, I know the reader isn’t going to feel much either. Towards the end of one long story my central character was dying. I wept buckets – proper sobbing, wet face, soggy collar, the whole package – as I was writing. And the responses I had were clear – that chapter made my readers weep too. In buckets, some of them said. So now I know that if I don’t feel anything as I write, neither will my readers.
I completely agree with you about feeling ourselves before it goes on paper!
Oh, yes, if a book makes me feel passionate about the characters, that for me is a good book, even if I detect some flaws. Having said that, not all literature is meant to evoke an emotional response. Some of the more experimental writing appeals more to the mind and I enjoy those books as well. However, the emotional response is important to me. I use most of my Kleenex, reading! LOL. Good post, Jen!
Christa
Thanks for sharing Christa! I love the Kleenex part. 🙂
This is the second time in so many days I’ve come across Colleen Hoover. I’m just going to have to check her out. And I believe you’re right, not much is said about creating emotion in the reader. Liking a character isn’t enough. I think you have to share in their emotions as well. Of course pulling it off without going over the top is hard. Thanks for this recommendation Jen.
If you decided to read the books, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by.
She’s gone onto my TBR list so I’ll definitely let you know. 🙂
Someone saying they wanted to smack one of my characters seemed a great compliment to me although I know the person meant it as a negative. So read Pollyanna.
Portraying emotion effectively can make the difference between having a hit or a flop. Coincidentally, Morgan Shamy wrote about writing emotion in her blog today (http://tinyurl.com/an79p9o) also. I’ll repeat my response:
I’ve struggled with writing emotions in the past. A great resource that I learned about from another blog (I’mm sorry I can’t remember which one) is the book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression. It is available on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/audsddx
I completely agree, it’s is the difference between a hit or flop. Thank you for the links too.
I know exactly what you are talking about. I just finished a book where I was holding my breath because I could feel the tension from the scene emanating from the page. Love books like that!
Jen, good article! Emotion is the key to any genre of writing, whether a novel or a book of poetry. I have not researched information on creating emotion so enjoyed reading your perspective to which I completely agree.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for stopping by.
I could not agree more my dear….
Will check them out.
I’d love to hear what you think
Having read many books that I have literally sobbed at some point in the book I heartily agree. As a writer of a memoir only this is good to think about for future books!! Thanks…
Thanks for sharing and stopping by Dixie!
You bring up a good point, Jen. Other than the repeated refrain “needs tension” you don’t hear much about emotional phrasing in writing.
Makes you stop and say “Hmmmm”
It is always great when a book has rhis effect on me, it means the book is well written and I have invested my time (and money) into something worthwhile. Great Post!