Emotions in Writing
How to express them properly
As a writer, you’ll need to know how to get your ideas across in a way that can not only be duplicated, but felt. And one of the ways to feel is through emotions. And remember my article on really paying attention to the world around us and noting things down so we can later on describe them? The same goes for emotions.
Instead of saying “he had angry tears,” extrapolate the times you’ve been so angry you had tears in your eyes. How did you feel? How many tears did you have? Did they dry up quickly, or were you consumed by them? Did you scream and shout, or did you violently shake in festering quiet? All of these things, as a writer, you need to pay attention to — but not in a way where you keep yourself in these lower emotions — God no! That’s how people become neurotic or even psychotic! I say it more in a sense of being aware of your life and surroundings. When I learned I could change my emotions like the drop of a hat, and that I didn’t have to linger in basal emotions, I felt like the world was mine for the taking — because I was aware of my life and surroundings!
So in the example above, write something like “he was so wrought with anger, his eyes were a slave to the whims and wishes of even the most subtle of contradictory bodily functions, as tears soon unleashed and descended upon his face, whilst the man turned away, his trembling hands violent in the way that they shook, illustrating to all who wished to gaze upon him the war of emotions that waged within.” See? You actually feel the kind of anger he’s living in that moment — in other words, you’re feeling his emotions. Does this make sense?
This goes for any and all emotions, not just the dark ones. But what makes you a better writer is how specific you are. And you don’t have to have long-winded explanations, either. They can be short and swift — just like this article — but the feeling is just the same.
I hope this helps you!
