How to Use the Wheel of Emotions to Write Better Fictional Characters
There are a variety of tools psychologists use to help those that they counsel put their feelings and emotions into words. The exercise of verbalizing the way you feel is one of the core components of most therapy.
Creating strong fictional characters also relies on putting feelings and emotions into words on the page, and turning those emotions into action.
From the art and science of psychology, a commonly used tool is the Wheel of Emotions. Often starting with a behavior, the psychologist will ask what the patient is feeling while they were behaving in a specific manner.
Patient: “My mother introduced her new boyfriend, and I had to sit down to keep from passing out. Standing in front of me was a large black man who looked 10 years younger than her.”
Therapist: “Why? What were you feeling?”
The therapist asked the patient to point into one of the center sections of the wheel. The patient chose “surprised”.
Therapist: “Surprised. That’s interesting, but what led to the surprise.” The therapist indicates she should select from the second ring of the wheel.
Patient: “I guess I was both confused and amazed.”
Therapist: “Tell me more. Use the wheel.”
