The Emotional Craft Of Fiction By Donald Maass
Donald Maass is a literary agent and author of several books on writing, including "The Emotional Craft of Fiction". In this book, Maass explores the importance of emotional resonance in fiction and provides practical techniques for writers to strengthen their storytelling abilities.
What is Emotional Craft?
Emotional craft is the ability to create a deep emotional connection between the reader and the characters in a story. It involves tapping into universal human experiences and emotions, such as love, loss, fear, and hope, and using them to create a story that resonates with readers.
Maass argues that emotional resonance is what separates good writing from great writing. A story with strong emotional resonance will stick with readers long after they finish reading it, while a story with weak emotional resonance will be quickly forgotten.
Building Emotional Resonance
So how do writers create emotional resonance in their stories? According to Maass, there are several techniques writers can use:
1. Deep Point of View
Deep point of view involves immersing the reader in the character's thoughts and feelings. By using sensory details and internal dialogue, writers can create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the character.
2. Microtension
Microtension is the use of small, subtle conflicts to create a sense of unease and suspense. By using small moments of tension throughout the story, writers can keep the reader engaged and emotionally invested in the outcome.
3. Emotional Turning Points
Emotional turning points are moments in the story where the character's emotions shift dramatically. These moments can be used to create a sense of tension and conflict, and to reveal important information about the character.
4. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. By creating characters that readers can empathize with, writers can create a deeper emotional connection between the reader and the story.
Conclusion
"The Emotional Craft of Fiction" is a valuable resource for writers who want to create stories that resonate emotionally with readers. By using techniques like deep point of view, microtension, emotional turning points, and empathy, writers can create stories that stick with readers long after they finish reading them.
