Go deeper

I enjoy writing from first person. I don't know why, it's one of those natural things.  I guess, I like becoming the character--getting inside their head and living through them just for a moment is amazing. Writing from this POV isn't the easiest. I'm not saying other POVs are not. Trust me, I don't feel comfortable writing in 3rd and I'm not sure if I could. Not that I wouldn't try, it just doesn't feel natural to me.

Let's face it, writing a novel is like swimming in the sea. Everything can seem overwhelming and scary. We may not know what direction to go when we are on the surface. The story is there, rippling and sparkling in the sunlight, but something is needed. Something that needs to take the reader to another level. When writing any character, I have to take a step back and look at the overall picture. That's when I usually ask myself, "Can I go deeper?" Think about it. If you're in a wide mass of water, you want to know what's beneath, right? Okay, maybe not, the whole JAWS thing, but if you did you'd know what you're dealing with and how to get out. You learn more and it brings your knowledge of the sea to another level.

What? What do you mean? You ask. Can I go deeper into this character's mind? Do I need to pull out more emotion from this character? Would the character react the way I have them react? What is in their head and what are they thinking?

Creating some, if not all of this, will suck the reader in, making them feel, making them care, and really want to know more. Because they'll be invested emotionally. It'll let your character have a stronger voice and make them real. Okay, you know what I mean, not real . . .real. Just real. It's Monday, so give me a break, my brain doesn't function too well in the morning.

My point: As you travel through your revisions, step back, then step into your character's head. Be them. Yes, step inside their skin. Think if you can go deeper into their mind than you have. Ask yourself questions that can take you there. Put yourself in your character's shoes and try to think they way they do. You'll create a character that will allow the reader to be them instead of a character that's just telling the story.

So, do you get into your character's head?

Does anyone want to add their methods or have any craft books they would like to add?

What are your favorite book that you felt emotionally attached to the character?

I bet you wanna go for a swim now, right? Yeah, I have beach on the brain.

Have a great day!

Emotional characters

After my weekend, my emotions are all over the place. I had a great one with my family. With writing--not so much, and I'm not going to go into detail. Do you cry during movies, books or TV shows? If so, what makes you cry?

C'mon admit it. The character, the story  . . . maybe the combo. Before I was a mom, I didn't cry much at anything. I wasn't a very emotional person. Okay, maybe a depressed one, but entertainment usually didn't make me cry. After I had my monsters, I can cry when a butterfly lands on a flower. Sometimes, I have no control. There are certain movies that I watch over and over and I cry like a baby (How To Train Your Dragon and Tangled). Seriously, I cry. But why?

The writer created a character with emotion. Something they did plucked an emotional string in my head. Sure, in movies there are factors of dramatic music and the actors voice, but somehow they pulled you in and made you care.

There is a book that turned on my waterworks--THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. You may have heard of it. The thing is--I love books with voice. Lots of voice. I loved being pulled in to see what this character sees, to feel what they feel. Yes, it must be technical (follow the grammar and plot rules), but without voice and emotion, there's nothing but scenes flipping like a slideshow. So what did John Green do?

He made me care about the character. He gave that character emotion. He showed us what she felt by making us feel it (making me cry). Complicated? Yes. To write emotion is not easy. Trust me, I'm still working on it. You have to put yourself in your characters shoes and ask yourself how would they react at that moment? Feel it.

I haven't found the right formula, but I'm getting there.

Check out this link for some info:
 The Writers Store.com-- go here to check out the post on The Emotional and Psychological World of You and Your Characters

Also, check out CREATING CHARACTER EMOTIONS by Ann Hood

Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints by Nancy Kress

Do you have any thoughts on creating character emotions?

Any self help guides of web pages you would recommend?

Have a great day!