Characters and Emotion
I have been thinking a lot lately about characters and emotion. Partly, because I am teaching a writing workshop series and the next session deals with developing strong characters. Partly, because I have been dealing with some emotional issues and trying to sort out my own feelings and motivations. In fact, I missed blogging last week because of the emotional situation that I am dealing with, which is to say, some things take a back seat to dealing with the big picture stuff like death.
Normally the grieving process is pretty clear and understandable. Loss of love, or of a loved, one brings on unfathomable emotions. The death of someone with whom one has a complicated relationship is, well, complicated. The most difficult aspect is feeling things that one does not expect or cannot quite identify and label in normal terms, because the situation is not normal.
Sorting out one’s own feelings can be difficult. Yet, in the realm of “write what you know,” understanding emotional motivation is critical to being able to create believable characters. Complicated relationships fill the real world and should also fill your fictional world. We, like our characters, don’t always need to sort things out right away. Sometimes, it’s a process, part of the arc. But ultimately, we must work through the forest of our feelings in order to look up and appreciate the sun in the sky.
BTW–My Next Appearance:
How to write fiction at Mesa Library
Post Date: 07/22/2015 11:14 AM
Mesa Library is presenting a writing workshop, “On Solid Ground: World-Building for Engaging Fiction” on Saturday, July 25 at the Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd. from 10 a.m. to noon in the Roadrunner Room.
Author and presenter, Sharon Skinner will lead this two-hour workshop on how to transport your reader to a new world. A variety of elements go into establishing such a believable, engaging world. Skinner will teach on world building, including techniques for making it real and keeping it that way.
Skinner is the author of “The Healer’s Legacy”, “The Nelig Stones”, and “Mirabella & the Faded Phantom” and Co-author of “The Chronicles of Tavara Tinker.” This presentation is free but registration is required as seating is limited. To register visit: www.MesaLibrary.org and click on the Events Calendar.
The post Characters and Emotion appeared first on SharonSkinner.com.
