As writers, our goal is to create stories that not only entertain but also evoke emotions in our readers. We want our readers to feel the same emotions that our characters are experiencing, to be invested in their journey, and to care about what happens to them. But how do we achieve this? In this blog post, we’ll explore techniques for creating powerful scenes that will make your readers feel the emotions of your characters.
Show, Don’t Tell
One of the most important techniques for creating powerful scenes is to show, not tell. Instead of telling your readers how your character feels, show them through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue. For example, instead of writing, “Jane was angry,” you could write, “Jane slammed the door and clenched her fists, her breathing quickened as she fought to control her anger.”
Use Sensory Details
Sensory details can be a powerful tool for creating emotion in your readers. By describing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of a scene, you can immerse your readers in the story and make them feel like they’re right there with your characters. For example, instead of writing, “The room was dark,” you could write, “The room was pitch black, and the only sound was the soft drip of water from a leaky faucet.”
Create Conflict
Conflict is an essential element of storytelling, and it’s also a powerful tool for creating emotion. By putting your characters in conflict with each other or with their circumstances, you can create tension and drama that will keep your readers engaged. Whether it’s a physical conflict, an emotional conflict, or a moral conflict, conflict is an excellent way to create powerful scenes that will make your readers feel the emotions of your characters.
Use Metaphors and Symbolism
Metaphors and symbolism can be a great way to create emotion in your readers. By using metaphors and symbolism, you can create a deeper meaning that will resonate with your readers and make them feel more connected to your story. For example, a broken mirror could represent a character’s shattered self-image, or a red rose could symbolize passion and love.
Use Dialogue
Dialogue is another powerful tool for creating emotion in your readers. By using dialogue, you can show your readers how your characters interact with each other and how they feel about each other. Use dialogue to reveal your characters’ motivations, fears, and desires, and to create tension and conflict. Make sure that your dialogue is natural and realistic, and that it sounds like something that your characters would actually say.
Use Inner Monologue
Inner monologue is a great way to show your readers what your characters are thinking and feeling. By using inner monologue, you can reveal your characters’ innermost thoughts, fears, and desires, and create a deeper connection between your readers and your characters. Inner monologue can also be a great way to create tension and conflict, as your characters struggle with their own inner demons.
Writing with emotion is an essential part of creating powerful scenes that will make your readers feel the emotions of your characters. How do you want your readers to feel? Wistful, angry, grateful, passionate, contented … you get to encourage that end result. By showing, not telling, using sensory details, creating conflict, using metaphors and symbolism, using dialogue, and using inner monologue, you can create scenes that will resonate with your readers and keep them engaged in your story.
Remember to be patient and persistent, and above all, enjoy the process of creating stories that will make your readers feel all the feels.
melanie wass 