The Writing Life Too

Cloud cover. That’s all I’m going to say. Since I started working on my latest book, I’ve been thinking about my clients’ manuscripts that I’ve read over the years and the most common problems that occur. When writing fiction and memoir, it can be particularly tricky to depict emotions accurately and with enough nuance. For example, a writer will depict a character’s unease by his stammer, or blush, or hands trembling. Usually again and again. And usually to the exclusion of other emotions.

What seems important to remember is that emotions come in many shades and gradations. Most of us don’t immediately explode in fury without provocation—there are steps leading up to it. (now if you do, that’s a problem for a mental health professional, not a writing coach) Neither does everyone react the same way to loss, stress, infidelity, betrayal, or free plane tickets to Paris.

Go through life noticing how emotions flicker across people’s faces: anger, angst, arousal, bitter, boredom, confidence, confusion, contempt, determination, disappointment, disgust, distrust, embarrassment, envy, fear, hostility, irritation, melancholy, paralyzed, passivity, perplexed, playful, relaxed, reproach, restlessness, sadness, shy, serene, sorrow, stupefied, surprise, suspicion, thrilled, uncertain, vulnerable….

How can you put this into words or express in dialogue or action?

Then too make sure that you’re not using clichéd reactions such as a lump in the throat, heart pounding or racing,or a single tear glistening on a heroine’s cheek.

Know how far your character will go when pushed, angry, desperate, aroused, frightened.
Mix it up, make it real, make it in sync with each individual.