Creating Emotional Resonance in Your Novel

I posted this quote on Instagram Monday. I had just heard of the passing of someone who was dear to me and all my memories were about how that person made me feel–joyful, engaged, confident, prepared.

The details of exactly how he did this or when or what we were doing at the time were unimportant. Sure, I had memories, too, but those memories came with the feelings. It was honestly the feeling that I was physically feeling.

When we write, we want to leave our readers with a feeling as well.

Whether you are writing a romance or a thriller or an allegory, you want your reader to feel something.

What is it?

Often, as writers, we’re distracted by the plot problems and the stakes and the logistics of the story telling that we might forget the emotional layer. And not just the emotional layer for the protagonist. Rather, the emotional layer for the reader.

I’m a big believer in writing your story for yourself without the pressure of an external audience. It can often lead to judgment at a time when you need to be free to simply write words.

At some point during revision, however, it’s time to think about the reader’s experience. Understanding what you want the reader to feel will help you make your scenes more resonant, more memorable to their subconscious, more indelible so that they recommend your book to others — “This book was amazing! I felt so seen/sad/hopeful/happy/scared when I read it!”

Not sure what you want the reader the feel? Here are some tricks questions you can free write on to dig into that emotional layer:

• What is the point of your story? I’ve written about story point here and here before. It’s that important to so many aspects of your writing journey! Don’t skip this step. A point may sound like a cliché in the end. That’s okay. Love conquers all may be the most written story in the world and it never gets old, does it?
• What feelings does that point elicit in a reader? Take your point to the next level. Write down how a reader might feel about that point. With that love conquers all points, a reader may feel hopeful, inspired, warm, generous, content, etc…. Be specific to your story and your story goals.
• What does your character need? Your character need is that internal train that chugs along your character arc. If they need acceptance or vulnerability or to let go of an old relationship, that will all color the love conquers all story. Look at what they need and think about the feelings that go along with that need.
• What do you have to say/Why are you writing this book? Your motivation, as opposed to your protagonist’s, may be the single strongest driver of the emotional heart of your book. Understanding your part in the story will help you deliver that deeper level feeling to your reader. Dig into this and don’t let it be the first answer — examine what you have to say and why you want to say it. Be curious. Often, we are own ideal readers, so what feelings are behind your why? Make sure that those feelings, then, are present in your novel for your reader.

I know I love books that I close with a sigh and a feeling of deep emotional satisfaction. Some books that brought me intense emotional reactions as a reader include:

• The Great Alone*, Kristin Hannah
• Our Missing Hearts*, Celeste Ng
• Where’d You Go Bernadette?*, Maria Semple
• The Book Thief,* Markus Zusak
• Tom Lake*, Ann Patchett
• A Land More Kind Than Home*, Wiley Cash
• Brown Girl Dreaming*, Jacqueline Woodson
• A Prayer for Owen Meany*, John Irving
• Hell of a Book*, Jason Mott

What are the books that emotionally resonate with you?Go back and reread them and see how the author did it — what about the book stayed with you after you closed it? What about the book made you feel the way you did? Can you find examples in the pages? See if you can apply that to your own writing.

Reply in the comments with your favorites books that left you in your feels. I’d love to expand my emotional reading list!

*Note: these links are all my Bookshop.org affiliate link and I do receive a small commission if you purchase via these links. Whether you use these links or not, Bookshop.org is my favorite for supporting local bookstores and is a great alternative if you don’t have an independent shop in your community.