World, Writing, Wealth discussion

Injecting emotion into your writing

Why were Tom Clancy’s first two books, The Hunt for Red October and Red Storm Rising so readable? Many lowbrow literary critics wouldn’t think they were well written books at all, but then, you can’t please everyone. They sold over a million copies each, so they had to have something—and I’m not talking about having a sophisticated marketing machine behind them. My opinion? Apart from being good stories, they had believable characters who were real and didn’t mind revealing a little of themselves to readers. His other books? Well, let’s say it shows what an oiled marketing machine can do. Personally, the characters in those books were merely going through the motions. I call them two-dimensional plastic cutouts.

It was printed in the mid-seventies, and some might consider it dated, but I can read John Brunner’s The Shockwave Rider repeatedly and still enjoy the complex characters and the enfolding story like I did the first time all those years ago. On something different, if you like magical writing that will move your soul, grab hold of Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave and The Hollow Hills. For stirring action guaranteed to set your hair on fire, read Stephen Coonts’ The Intruders. What makes all those books stand out from the crowd, and there a many others like them out there: characters who display feelings and emotions.

Read the full article here:
https://www.stefanvucak.com/injecting...

Hi Stefan, thanks for your input. A funny coincidence- I just mentioned Reagan’s alleged contribution into Clancy’s success on another thread before seeing your post 😄

Interesting post, Stefan. I'll read the full article later.

Nik wrote: "Hi Stefan, thanks for your input. A funny coincidence- I just mentioned Reagan’s alleged contribution into Clancy’s success on another thread before seeing your post 😄"

LOL! That's how things can work out.

Beau wrote: "Interesting post, Stefan. I'll read the full article later."

I trust you will find it of some use. Entertaining at least.

Excellent blog, Stefan. Very helpful to aspiring writers.

Btw, just Googled your name. Are you the same Stefan Vucak who's won awards for your writing?

Beau wrote: "Excellent blog, Stefan. Very helpful to aspiring writers.

Btw, just Googled your name. Are you the same Stefan Vucak who's won awards for your writing?"

Thanks for your feedback, Beau!

And yes, I'm that man.

Well done, Stefan. Your website is nicely set out too.

To my knowledge, we have at least 3 successful Australian authors in the group. Clearly a lot of talent down under.

Beau wrote: "Well done, Stefan. Your website is nicely set out too.

To my knowledge, we have at least 3 successful Australian authors in the group. Clearly a lot of talent down under."

Thanks for the feedback!

Characterization and plot have always been important to me. If I can't identify or empathize with the characters, I lose interest in finding out what happens to them, and I will put down a novel with no regret after reading a few chapters.

I was on a panel once and the topic was "Character, Plot, Setting - Which is most important?" Most of the panelists, myself included, put character first because, as most of us wrote series, we said that character is what keeps someone who read Book 1 want to pick up Book 2 - even if the plot in Book 1 is just okay, and the setting doesn't pop, if the characters are strong, interesting, relatable, a reader will likely want to see what happens to the character next. Same with TV series, same with film sequels.

Scout wrote: "Characterization and plot have always been important to me. If I can't identify or empathize with the characters, I lose interest in finding out what happens to them, and I will put down a novel wi..."

I am pretty much the same. However, with some action-packed novels, provided they carry the story well, I'm not bothered too much with lack of in-depth characterization.

J. wrote: "I was on a panel once and the topic was "Character, Plot, Setting - Which is most important?" Most of the panelists, myself included, put character first because, as most of us wrote series, we sai..."

I agree entirely. I tend to say that a story should be about people. If it isn't, then you're reading a user manual. Still, the level of characterization can depend on the nature of the story the author is giving us. If there is a lot of action and the scenes flow well, there may not be a need for deep character development.

Of course a story should be about people, but how to go about characterization is not all that simple. I think it should be determined by what they do, and not by application of descriptive passages, but then I may be in a minority on this. It becomes a problem for the major character because he/she has to carry the plot, and it becomes more of a problem for an action-style book because the reader has to read in what the action is telling about character, and only too often the reader glosses over that.

Also, much of the characterization in many books leads simply to one-dimensional characters - a lot of emphasis on one aspect. This is good for minor characters because they can be used to bring forth a specific point related to the theme, but I find it annoying when it lands on a major character.

Thinking about this...

The core is [1] empathic characters [2] demonstrating agency [3] through a sequence of events such that [4] the events draw forth an emotional response from the reader.

Def'n: Empathic means the reader becomes emotionally involved in the fate of the character. Note: This is just as applicable to bad guy as good guy characters. Having an urgent desire for a bad guy to get his 'just desserts,' is as much an empathic reaction as wishing for the hero's success.

Def'n: Agency. The characters are operating off their own motivations and taking willful actions to shape circumstance. They are active players, not passive witnesses - this aids empathy.

Def'n: Sequence. Story is a sequence of events over time. This is what you have to work with. Get the sequence and timing right with empathic characters and you'll solicit...

Def'n: Emotional response ...

Cheers G

Thinking about that, the Agency point is probably the most important, yet sometimes you have to have passive characters. Tricky.