Writing Excuses Season 3 Episode 19: Emotion in Fiction with John Brown
Oct 5, 2009
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John Brown, an expert in guiding emotional responses in readers, discusses the impact of emotions on writing productivity, the techniques for engaging readers' emotions in horror writing, and enhancing emotional impact in writing through focus and surprise. He explores how personal experiences and emotions can be harnessed to create compelling character narratives.
Emotion is key in fiction to guide reader response, writers can learn from cognitive therapy.
Translating personal emotional insights into fiction enriches storytelling, showing emotions through characters resonates.
Deep dives
Importance of Emotion in Fiction
Emotion plays a crucial role in fiction writing as it guides the reader's emotional response throughout the narrative. Author John Brown highlights how understanding and dealing with emotions significantly influenced his writing journey, adding depth and resonance to his storytelling. By recognizing the impact of emotions on writing, authors can effectively shape the reader's experience and create compelling narratives.
Overcoming Mental Barriers in Writing
Struggling with mental barriers such as self-doubt and comparison to other writers can hinder the writing process. John Brown shares his personal struggles with overcoming these barriers by implementing cognitive therapy techniques. By challenging distorted thoughts and focusing on personal growth, writers can break free from mental obstacles and enhance their creative output.
Applying Emotional Insights to Fiction
Translating personal emotional insights into fiction can enrich storytelling and engage readers on a deeper level. John Brown emphasizes the importance of portraying emotions through characters and events rather than simply stating them. By understanding the psychology behind reader engagement and utilizing techniques like showing instead of telling, writers can evoke powerful emotions and create immersive narratives.
John Brown joins us again, and tells us that fiction "is all about guiding an emotional response in a reader." We begin with a discussion of depression, which John (like many of us) had to deal with. He tells us about the paths for emotional response, and how a beginning writer can end up in the depths of depression just by looking at the work of successful writers. But working through that, especially with cognitive therapy, can provide the writer with fantastic tools for informing his or her writing. And those tools are really why you're here. Listen closely! Writing Prompt: Give us villainous heroes, romance, and something that evokes terror.
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