1. Longing

Focusing on a character’s longing for something or someone is a driving force that can fuel emotion for a whole story. Longing literally tugs at the heartstrings because it is pulling a character towards some goal. If a character is fighting hard to reach something and the readers are rooting for that character, then putting obstacles in the character's way can be a great emotional appeal. This can also be relatable to a lot of the readers. Almost everyone has a goal in life and is trying hard to reach it. Yet, they too have faced challenges. Seeing a character going through that same kind of struggle will entice the readers to keep reading and see how the situation turns out.

2. Change of Heart

Has someone you’ve known for a long time suddenly acted like a different person? Do you get frustrated when the people around you change their minds suddenly? If the answer is yes, then you can probably see why a character having a change of heart can be so emotional and painful. Building an expectation up and then destroying it or changing the direction of the story completely is a great way to make the reader go “WAIT WHAT!?” Throughout a story, readers usually become attached to the characters. If the character turns from good to bad or bad to good, the reader will feel like they are witnessing changes in someone they know personally. It takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster and lets the writer explore the different paths their characters can take.

3. Anger

Using anger as the fuel for a scene creates an impressive fire. In this case, a reader can literally see the scenes escalating through grammar and seeing the letters turn to italicization or all caps. People don’t get angry too often, so when they do, you often see a different side of them. When characters are angry, it lets the readers see more of the character’s depth. Especially if the characters who are angry are in a relationship, the readers will feel some pain and wish for them to resolve the issue.

As a reader myself, I cherish all the happy moments in a book, but what really compels me to keep reading is when a character goes through hardship and intense emotions. Don’t be afraid to put your characters through hard situations! Seeing their development afterward will be worth it for you and your readers. Have an amazing week, Readers!

Word of the Week: Asterism

Pronunciation: Ass-tur-iz-uhm

Definition: A prominent pattern or group of stars, typically having a popular name but smaller than a constellation.

Etymology: Comes from the Greek word “aster” meaning “star”

Example: Not only could they see the planets through the telescope, but numerous asterisms as well.