Emotional Writing

There are three kinds of feelings when reading a story: boredom, interest, and wow! To become a successful writer, you must create the wow feeling on as many pages as possible, and this requires writing that engages the reader emotionally. In his best-selling book, screenwriter Karl Iglesias explored the working habits of A-list Hollywood scribes. Now, he breaks new ground by focusing on the psychology of the reader.

While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers.

Let me guess: you have everything about the writing art pretty much mastered except one of the most important skills--infusing emotional impact in your writing. You enjoy seeing your characters change and grow, and you love the story you've created, but your beta readers or editor can't seem to feel much emotion for them. Been there, done that. We're in the same boat, so you're not alone.

Writing isn’t just creating—it’s awakening. Whether you’re journaling, storytelling, or trying to find your authentic voice on the page, there’s a deeper force guiding your words: the archetypes within. This is a soul-powered guide for writers, creatives, and introspective minds—whether you lead with emotion, logic, or a little of both. Through twelve original archetypes like The Chainbreaker, The Starward, The Heartsworn, and The Realmbinder, you’ll discover the inner forces shaping your creative expression—light and shadow alike. Part reference guide, part creative ...

UPDATED 2022 EDITION! These two bestselling writing and editing handbooks, “The Writer’s Guide to Character Emotion” and “The Writer’s Guide to Character Expression” have been updated and combined to create one remarkable single volume! This comprehensive edition contains descriptive writing tools to help writers craft a riveting novel that instantly grabs a reader’s attention. Writers will gain the essential skills needed to craft realistic emotions, visceral responses, and body language to deepen characterization that you can easily and quickly apply to your own writing. ...

This lucid, compassionate audiobook has introduced tens of thousands of listeners to expressive writing, a simple yet powerful self-help technique grounded in scientific research. Leading experts James W. Pennebaker and Joshua M. Smyth describe how taking just a few minutes to write about deeply felt personal experiences or problems may help improve our mental and physical health.

2022 Updated Second Edition! Most writers struggle with creating a captivating story. The fastest way to improve your writing skills is by applying the “Deep Point-of-View” technique, which can transform any novel from mediocre storytelling into riveting prose. This guide includes hundreds of amazing ways to use “show don’t tell” to submerge readers so deeply into a scene they will experience the story along with the characters. Plus, this useful guide includes a Thesaurus with inspiring word choices! Writers will learn to: Revise Shallow Writing Deepen Characterization Craft ...

A great novel is honed, not hatched.There are two pillars to effective storytelling: immersion and emotional draw. Immersion is what transports readers into your story world. Emotional draw is what keeps them there. This book will take you deep into the craft workshop of the Darling Axe's two senior editors. Michelle and David's core editorial philosophy is simple: every element of a story must serve the reader's experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I highly recommend it for writers of all skill levels." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Michelle Barker and David Griffin Brown have crafted a literary gem that ...

What Is Your Soul’s Calling Story? We all have that one moment—or perhaps a series of moments—that changed the course of our lives. A crisis that shattered us. Chaos that left us reeling. And in the aftermath, one haunting question lingers: What do I do with this? You have a choice: Keep it locked inside, where it festers. Share it with family and friends, where it reaches only so far. Or, turn your pain into purpose and share it with the world—where it has the power to heal, inspire, and transform lives. In Write Your Soul’s Calling Story, the author takes you on a powerful ...

Escape the turbulent cycle of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) and say goodbye to mood swings and emotional turmoil with the practical and evidence-based strategies in this groundbreaking book. Written specifically for parents by a natural health expert and father of a child with DMDD who knows, this definitive guide provides a roadmap to help your child overcome DMDD using natural solutions. Discover what factors cause DMDD and how your child’s brain processes emotions, sensory input, social cues, and situations differently than neurotypical children. Get practical advice ...

Trauma and its effects can feel like a never-ending storm, and there's no safe harbor in sight from the thoughts and emotions that toss and turn so violently and unpredictably in your head. But healing is possible. Your brain can actually rewire these thoughts and emotions. And you can direct that powerful healing process through journaling.

"Sumptuous prose and a mind-blowing twist will make sure that readers don't forget The Professor's Wife, an unsettling psychological thriller wrapped in a provocative dark romance." -IndieReader Carl Bingham is a lonely British Literature Professor who has sworn off love and sex since an affair with a student at Skidmore College almost lost him his tenure and reputation. Camilla is a young artist who sits in his classroom, mesmerized by his voice and appearance. Despite their age difference, they fall in love, marry, and feed each other's physical and emotional needs. But when secrets and ...

How do you create characters who keep readers hooked? How do you write the opposite sex? Teenagers? Believable relationships? Historical characters? Enigmatic characters? Plausible antagonists and chilling villains? How do you understand a character whose life is totally unlike your own? How do you write characters for dystopias? How do you make dialogue sing? When can you let the reader intuit what the characters are feeling and when should you spell it out? Roz Morris is a bestselling ghostwriter and book doctor, and a literary author in her own right. She teaches creative writing ...

Coercive Relationships provides a beacon for survivors of partner abuse. Parker’s nonjudgmental, empathic voice offers knowledge gleaned from years of experience. Survivors gain answers to frequently asked questions: Am I being abused? Why do they hurt me? Why do I feel so crazy? What can I change? Why do they believe they should control us? How do I recognize abuse of power? How do I heal?Each chapter contains illustrative vignettes and suggestions for reflection to assist readers in discovering what they want. Coercive Relationships lifts the private shame survivors feel by connecting ...

Unleash the art of storytelling that captivates, influences, and transforms. Hypnotic Writing Lab: Amplify Influence with Advanced Story Structure and Tension is more than a guide—it’s a masterclass in crafting narratives that resonate deeply and linger long after the final word. Dive into immersive techniques that combine the power of hypnotic language, sensory detail, and emotional layering to create unforgettable stories. Discover how to structure narratives that evoke emotion, cultivate connection, and seamlessly guide perception. Each chapter and prompt is designed to refine your ...

Imagine words that don’t just speak but pull you in, their cadence like a heartbeat you can’t ignore, their meaning unfurling like a whispered secret meant only for you. Sentences that don’t merely inform but awaken, igniting something deep within—a spark, a truth, a feeling you didn’t even realize was waiting. Stories that slip past the barriers of thought, weaving themselves into the quiet corners of your mind, where they take root and grow stronger with every breath, every memory, every heartbeat. It doesn’t just tell a story—it becomes a part of you. Inside Hypnotic ...

Readers pick up nonfiction books to learn something. They pick up novels to feel something: love, fear, joy, grief, elation, frustration, happiness, desperation, anger, despair, determination...or all of the above. We write novels to give readers a vicarious emotional experience. They want to weep when our characters weep and rejoice when they rejoice.

The Blank Page A short novel of magical realism about two writers connected by letters that defy time and silence, and united by a destiny they never expected. An unexpected storm. A shared taxi. And a blank page that won’t stay empty for long. Abril and Tomás are two writers at different—yet equally uncertain—moments in their lives. What begins as a simple exchange of letters quickly transforms into a correspondence that sets memories, silences, intuitions… and something more into motion. 🌬️ Sometimes, the words we most need don’t come from within us. Sometimes, it’s the ...

Does the idea of creative writing excite you, but you don’t know where to begin?Whether you dream of writing a story, a collection of poetry, or a legacy piece to pass down to future generations, this guide is essential for your loved one. Unlock their creative potential with this inspiring and accessible guide from the initial spark of an idea to the final polished manuscript. The Page Turners Presents: A Guide to Writing is tailored specifically for men and women in prison who have limited resources. In this guide, they will discover fundamental principles for understanding the parts of...

Unlock the Power of Hypnotic Storytelling Step into The Hypnotic Writing Lab, where words become worlds, and every chapter brings you closer to mastering the art of influence through storytelling. This guide will take you on an immersive journey through hypnotic language techniques, sensory engagement, and character-driven narratives designed to captivate readers and leave a lasting impact. In today’s world, storytelling has the power to inspire, persuade, and transform. With The Hypnotic Writing Lab, you’ll learn how to create stories that resonate on a deeper level—drawing readers ...