A Thought for Writers

Today's quote is one that writers might copy and refer to every now and then. "To write means more than putting pretty words on a page; the act of writing is to share a part of your soul with the world." That line is worth a second reading. 

Poets might be in full agreement with the quote, but it works for all kinds of writing. Whether you write fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, children's stories, or more, your aim should be that part about sharing a part of your soul with the world. 

The writer who does that will more than likely be the successful writer, one who has a long list of published works. We need to pull from within to share the real us with our readers. 

Writing without soul, or emotion, generally ends up being rather stiff, probably boring. I started a book on my Kindle Reader the other day. I read three pages before I deleted the entire book. I could tell there was no emotion, no soul in the writing and that the writer must have been new to the writing world. She broke several rules in those first three pages, which made me decide I would not read any farther. 

When we write for others to read, we're sharing a part of ourselves. We're offering a small piece of our soul in what we've written for others. If we do so with little to no emotion, the reader will drop the piece in a hurry. 

When you write for others, your aim is to share something of yourself with them. For the reader to feel something, the writer must feel something as she/he writes. 

Give some thought today to how you write. Do you give something of yourself to the reader? If not, why not? 
 

Write With Emotion

 

Emotion is part of our make-up as a living human being. We experience different emotions throughout our daily lives. Writers must make use of emotions to bring their stories, poems, and essays to life. 

Robert Frost said, "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprises in the writer, no surprises in the reader." 

If you're a writer who writes without emotion, it will show in your finished product. If there is little to no emotion in your writing, it ends up appearing like a speaker who speaks in a complete monotone. 

We once took a city tour on a bus in Prague. They advertised that the tour would be given in several languages. It turned out the guide could not actually speak those several languages. Instead, he had memorized the complete tour in English, Japanese and a couple other languages. Because he did not actually know the language, there was no inflection on words, no emotion in his voice. It came over as a total monotone. Yes, we learned something about Prague, but it became almost laughable. It was a perfect example for me about the importance of emotion in speaking and writing. 

Writers need emotion in what they write to connect with their readers. The writer must feel something in order to make the reader feel it, too. One of the best ways to do that is to show, not tell. If you write, 'Greta cried.' I know what she did, but I don't feel much for her. If you write, 'The lump in Greta's throat gave way to tears and great sobs. She wiped her cheeks but could not stem the flow.'  Maybe then I will think Oh, the poor girl.   

At certain times, we've been taught to keep our emotions in check, whether by parents or teachers. As a writer, you can let the emotions flow without worrying about what someone will think. If I write a scene about a pioneer woman encountering a rattlesnake in her garden as she is picking beans, I need to use emotion. Saying 'Ellen saw a rattlesnake at the end of the row of beans.' alerts the reader, but there is no emotion. Write something like 'When she spotted the rattlesnake at the end of the row of beans, Ellen stopped, started to shake. She could not pick up her feet, only stared and prayed the viper would not move closer. Finally, she turned and ran to the barn to find Jesse, a scream trapped in her throat.' 

Showing how the character felt and reacted reaches out to the reader with emotion, invoking emotion in them in return. 

Even when writing an essay, let your feelings come through. Do it when writing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. About the only thing I can think of where you might not use it is in a technical article. Even then, a few technical writers might conclude with their own feelings about the topic. Not always but a possibility. 

Don't keep those emotions trapped inside. Use them in your writing, and you'll be a better writer.                                       

Show Emotion in Your Writing

 

Emotion is part of our make-up as a living human being. We experience different emotions throughout our daily lives. Writers must make use of emotions to bring their stories to life. 

Robert Frost said, "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprises in the writer, no surprises in the reader." 

If you're a writer who writes without emotion, it will show in your finished product. If there is little to no emotion in your writing, it ends up appearing like a speaker who speaks in a complete monotone. We once took a city tour on a bus in Prague. They advertised that the tour would be given in several languages. It turned out the guide could not actually speak those several languages. Instead, he had memorized the complete tour in English, Japanese and a couple other languages. Because he did not actually know the language, there was no inflection on words, no emotion in his voice. It came over as a total monotone. Yes, we learned something about Prague, but it became almost laughable. It was a perfect example for me about the importance of emotion in speaking and writing. 

Writers need emotion in what they write to connect with their readers. The writer must feel something in order to make the reader feel it, too. One of the best ways to do that is to show, not tell. If you write, Greta cried. I know what she did, but I don't feel much for her. If you write, The lump in Greta's throat gave way to tears and great sobs. She wiped her cheeks but could not stem the flow.  Maybe then I will think Oh, the poor girl.   

At certain times, we've been taught to keep our emotions in check, whether by parents or teachers. As a writer, you can let the emotions flow without worrying about what someone will think. If I write a scene about a pioneer woman encountering a rattlesnake in her garden as she is picking beans, I need to use emotion. Saying Ellen saw a rattlesnake at the end of the row of beans. alerts the reader, but there is no emotion. Write something like When she spotted the rattlesnake at the end of the row of beans, Ellen stopped, started to shake. She could not pick up her feet, only stared and prayed the viper would not move closer. Finally, she turned and ran to the barn to find Jesse, a scream trapped in her throat. 

Showing how the character felt and reacted reaches out to the reader with emotion, invoking emotion in them in return. 

Even when writing an essay, let your feelings come through. Do it when writing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. About the only thing I can think of where you might not use it is in a technical article. Even then, a few technical writers might conclude with their own feelings about the topic. Not always but a possibility. 

Don't keep those emotions trapped inside, Use them in your writing, and you'll be a better writer.                                       

Writing With Emotion

 

Two posters today that bring some insight to writing with emotion while bringing some emotion to the reader, as well. Both are helpful in creating a good piece of writing. 

The first poster quote by E.L. Doctorow tells us that we need to make our readers identify someting. Not that it's raining but that they feel that rain as they read. The way to do that is to show what you're writing about, not merely tell or report. 'The rain came harder, and Jean began to shiver as her clothes felt heavier and her hair plastered itself to her head. Her shoes squished as she plodded down the muddy road.' Doesn't that give you more of a picture, even make you shiver a bit, than if you said 'It rained as Jean walked home.'?

Look at the quote by Robert Frost. Sometimes, memoir writers hold back their real feelings as they write. It might be too painful to experience those emotions that assailed them during a traumatic event all over again. But, isn't the reason for writing the memoir to visit that part of life again and try to figure it out? If you hold those emotions inside, your reader is not going to feel what you're writing about either. You'll be reporting what happened but that's all. 

One of the reasons we write memoir is to help us heal after a difficult time in our lives. No, it isn't a cure-all, but one step in healing. As you write, relive the experience and let the emotions rumble and roil, bring them to the surface. You might write with tears wetting your cheeks, or you could feel a lot of anger or frustration. Isn't that one of the reasons you're writing a memoir about a troubling time in your life? To let it out? There is no shame in being emotional while writing. I think it's when you'll end up with some of your best writing.

All memoirs aren't sad tales. If you're writing a memoir about growing up in a special family, show the joy that you lived with, the special qualities your parents and siblings had. Show the laughter and the love. Don't only tell it. Feel it and your reader will, as well.

What if you're writing a humorous story or personal essay? If you write with a sour face, that humor is not going to come through as well as it might if you write with a smile on your face and an occasional chuckle. 

Emotion and sensation are both parts of writing a writer needs to perfect. Keep in mind that showing rather than telling will be a great help in both of these aspects. 

Writing With Emotion

 

This is a repeat post regarding emotion in writing. Originally written at the beginning of the pandemic. Thus, the reference.

We've all been through the full wheel of emotions during this pandemic we're experiencing. I'm guessing your emotions are up and down throughout your day. 

If you're a writer who writes without emotion, it will show in your finished product. If there is little to no emotion in your writing, it ends up appearing like a speaker who speaks in a complete monotone. We once took a city tour on a bus in Prague. They advertised that the tour would be given in several

languages. It turned out the guide could not actually speak those several languages. Instead, he had memorized the complete tour in English, Japanese and a couple other languages. Because he did not actually know the language, there was no inflection on words, no emotion in his voice. It came over as a total monotone. Yes, we learned something about Prague, but it became almost laughable. It was a perfect example for me about the importance of emotion in speaking and writing. 

Writers need emotion in what they write to connect with their readers. The writer must feel something in order to make the reader feel it, too. One of the best ways to do that is to show, not tell. If you write, Greta cried. I know what she did, but I don't feel much for her. If you write, The lump in Greta's throat gave way to tears and great sobs. She wiped her cheeks but could not stem the flow.  Maybe then I will think Oh, the poor girl.   

At certain times, we've been taught to keep our emotions in check, whether by parents or teachers. As a writer, you can let the emotions flow without worrying about what someone will think. If I write a scene about a pioneer woman encountering a rattlesnake in her garden as she is picking beans, I need to use emotion. Saying Ellen saw a rattlesnake at the end of the row of beans. alerts the reader, but there is no emotion. Write something like When she spotted the rattlesnake at the end of the row of beans, Ellen stopped, started to shake. She could not pick up her feet, only stared and prayed the viper would not move closer. Finally, she turned and ran to the barn to find Jesse, a scream trapped in her throat. 

Showing how the character felt and reacted reaches out to the reader with emotion, invoking emotion in them in return. 

Even when writing an essay, let your feelings come through. Do it when writing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. About the only thing I can think of where you might not use it is in a technical article. Even then, a few technical writers might conclude with their own feelings about the topic. Not always but a possibility. 

Don't keep those emotions trapped inside, Use them in your writing, and you'll be a better writer.                                       

Writing With Emotion

 

Here we are on the first day of the sixth month of the year 2022. How quickly it seems to have arrived! I was a bit emotional as I turned the page on my calendar this morning. June 2022 is a month our family has been waiting for. Our oldest granddaughter is being married on June 25th. Just 3+ weeks away. It seems to this grandmother that she was just a toddler not long ago. She is a high school English teacher and her fiance is a fireman/paramedic. Both are pursuing careers in service to others. I know their wedding day will be one of great emotion for many in attendance.

Emotion in writing is today's topic. It's not given large numbers of pages in books that tell us how to write. Some barely mention it. Being able to write with emotion is what makes a good piece even better. It deserves a lot of space in a reference book on our craft.

The poet, Robert Frost, said "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprises in the writer, no surprises in the reader." We know he's telling us that we, as writers, must feel the emotion in order for our readers to feel it, as well. That might not be as easy as it sounds.

We often feel the emotion inwardly. Something has moved us, and we sense it but don't succeed in putting that feeling into the words we write. Why does that happen?

I think that sometimes we are afraid of baring our deepest inner feelings. Experiencing it and sharing intimate fervor with the world can be on two different planes. If you're going to be a successful writer, you need to learn to share your emotions in the words you write. One of your goals should be to make your reader feel the same as you do about whatever the situation is. If you were moved to tears, write so that the reader is, too. If joy bubbles forth, put it into words to give the same experience to the reader. 

There are writers who might be reluctant to share their innermost feelings. They might think it is too private, so better to merely mention it, not delve into divulging the true thoughts. It's the writer who can 'bare it all' who will have readers feeling the same emotions. They are also the ones who will get published or win contests.

Don't write "I was happy." and then move on. Show your reader your happiness. Or sadness or anger or humiliation or fear or whatever it might be. Show them your body responses. Did you break out in a cold sweat? Did your heart start beating more rapidly than usual? Did you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach? Did you laugh so hard you cried? Did you have the biggest smile ever, or did your forehead wrinkle with the big frown you had? Did you do a little hop-skip or a twirl or some dance move? Was it hard to swallow over the lump in your throat?

Show vs tell has a definite place in getting emotions across to your readers. 

Can you think of a story or a book that made you cry? Credit the writer for the  ability to bring out emotion in you, the reader. Granted, some people are more emotional than others. I am one who can be moved to tears in books, movies, watching a patriotic show, or visiting a moving sight. But, even if you don't actually cry, do some stories make you feel some emotion? What about one that left you feeling very happy? 

Good writing brings emotion to both the writer and the reader. As writers, we need to let our emotions rise to the surface and spill into the words we write. 

Where's The Emotion?

I subbed an old but revamped personal essay to my critique group last night. The subject was something very meaningful to me and it's filled with description. In fact, it could be a writing exercise in describing a place. This morning, I found the first critique on the essay. The biggest fault the critter found was the lack of emotion. 

She went on to say that the descriptions were fine but there was no reaction on my part to what I'd been trying to show the reader. She also said that she knew the emotion was there, but it was still inside the writer. It had not come through in the words that were written. 

When I sat back and took a good, hard look at the essay again, I realized she was right. There were lots of things to bring the reader into the farmhouse I wrote about, but the joy, the amazement, the puzzlement, the homesickness--none of those came through like they should. The essay, as it stands now, would have little chance of ever being published.

Numerous writers run into this problem. Part of the reason is that the writer lived it and felt it so doesn't make it clear to the reader. Readers are great people but they aren't mind readers. We, as writers, need to spell it out. Every action requires a reaction. Seems I was told that in a psychology class long ago, and it can apply to writing with emotion.

Another reason some essays or memoir stories lack emotion is the writer's reluctance to expose their own deep feelings. Conscious or sub-conscious? It could be either one. We need to train ourselves to open up, to delve deep for that emotion that we sometimes try to bury so no one will know our true feelings. Do we know why? Quite often we probably don't. We need to allow ourselves to let it all spill out for the sake of a good story. We need to show a reaction to whatever is taking place in what we're writing. If we write, we must be willing to expose our feelings to the reader. We want them to react with emotion to what we've written. A whole lot of paragraphs with beautiful description isn't going to result in that.

When you finish writing an essay or memoir story, go through and highlight the number of places where you showed emotion. Are there a lot of highlighted areas, a pitiful few, or even none? 

Do you have trouble writing with emotion? Why or why not? Any tips for other writers? Tell us in a comment.

My job today is to rewrite that essay. I like it enough to begin a lifesaving job on it.