Romance/Love: February 24, 2016 Issue [#7495]
<< February 17, 2016Romance/Love Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueMarch 2, 2016 >>

Newsletter Header
Romance/Love


 This week: Emotional Development
  Edited by: Lonewolf Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Character Emotional Development is how an author brings a character to life on the page or screen. Character Development of the protagonist is often one of the most neglected elements. People read books 70% for the characters. We love slipping out of our own lives and inside characters' lives.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 197380364X
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99


Letter from the editor

The most powerful way to reach an audience is through the characters' emotions. For only when we connect with the characters on an emotional level, does the interaction become deep and meaningful. Well-written scenes that include characters' emotions allow the audience to viscerally take part in the story and bond with the characters.

It is no small feat to create unique characters from scratch and make them believable and likable. To hold a reader's interest for the duration of the project they must embody enough depth and complexity, have just the right voice, and be three-dimensional, vibrant characters. Though some audience members rather enjoy a more distanced, intellectual challenge, most want to engage with characters in books on an emotional level, too.

Often writers get stuck by staying in the character's head and "telling" what the character thinks. An emotion, on the other hand, has a strong physical component and is primarily felt in the body. The writer is able to "show" emotions through how the character relates or reacts to conflict.

Most of us in real life are capable of handling ourselves when things are going well or working in our favor. Throw in some sort of disaster, conflict, roadblock and we find out who we truly are. This same principle applies in stories. Readers alike want to participate in dramatic stories to learn how characters respond emotionally when things turn messy, challenging, and stressful, when all is lost.

Storytelling involves more than lining up the action pieces, arranging them in a logical order and then drawing conclusions. Yes, dramatic action pulls readers to the edge of their seats. And yes, conflict, tension, suspense and curiosity hook readers. Yet, no matter how exciting the action, the character's emotional reactions and emotional development provide fascination. Any presentation with a strong human element increases the chances of audience identification.

Every story sends a character on a journey that ends up causing the character to undergo an inner transformation. This ultimate character transformation is shown step-by-step through their Character Emotional Development. Emotional development is cumulative, based on all of the scenes over time, and is long-term and trans-formative.

Emotional development implies permanent growth, long-term change or transformation in the character in reaction to the dramatic action scene-by-scene throughout the overall story. The transformation the character undergoes takes place step-by-step from the beginning and spans throughout the entire story. If conflict, tension and suspense drive the reader to turn the page, or send them to the edge of their seat, the characters' emotional development inspires and connects them to the story.


Editor's Picks

Haunting Memories Open in new Window. (E)
Maddy's best friend is dying...
#1186216 by Memory sweet 16 Author IconMail Icon

 Dreams Gone By Open in new Window. (13+)
A teenager in 1962 finds herself facing a dreary future
#895903 by kellee Author IconMail Icon

 Ezzie Open in new Window. (18+)
What is Ezzie's problem?
#1356451 by two of four Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Weekend of Discovery - Chapter 1 Draft 2 Open in new Window. (13+)
One man's struggle to feel whole again.
#1971729 by LenTaylorWrites Author IconMail Icon

 Shackled (Part 2) (OLD VERSION) Open in new Window. (18+)
Continuation of Shackled
#1876013 by Inky Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B000FC0SIM
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Ask & Answer


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< February 17, 2016Romance/Love Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueMarch 2, 2016 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.