Add Emotion to Fictional Characters

Expression of emotions in speculative fiction writing is crucial to engage readers and create a vivid, immersive experience. As a novel writer who struggles with adding emotion to my characters, I did Internet searches on the topic to help me. Lots of writers and educators have suggestions. I asked chatGPT to make a list of common recommendations. The result was better than I expected:

• Show, Don’t Tell:
  • Telling: Sarah was sad.
  • Showing: Tears welled in Sarah’s eyes as she gazed at the photograph, memories of happier times fading like autumn leaves.
• Use of Sensory Details:
  • Generic: John felt fear.
  • Sensory: A shiver crawled down John’s spine, and the metallic taste of fear filled his mouth.
• Internal Monologue:
  • Basic: She was nervous about the presentation.
  • Internal Monologue: The butterflies in her stomach fluttered with increasing intensity, whispering doubts about her ability to captivate the room.
• Symbolism and Metaphor:
  • Literal: The grief weighed on her like a heavy burden.
  • Metaphor: Grief wrapped around her heart, a leaden cloak that refused to loosen its grip.
• Dialogue Subtext:
  • Direct: “I’m angry!” he shouted.
  • Subtext: His words, sharp as shards of glass, shattered the silence, echoing the anger that brewed within.
• Body Language and Gestures:
  • Basic: She looked happy.
  • Body Language: A radiant smile played on her lips, and her eyes sparkled with genuine joy.
• Unconventional Descriptors:
  • Standard: His joy was evident.
  • Unconventional: Joy bubbled up in him, effervescent and irrepressible, like a fizzy drink shaken too hard.
• Sentence Structure Variation:
  • Simple: She felt a mix of emotions.
  • Complex: A tumult of conflicting emotions surged within her—joy, sorrow, and a hint of nostalgia—as she stood at the crossroads of her past and future.
• Juxtaposition:
  • Isolated: The room was filled with happiness.
  • Juxtaposed: Amidst the laughter and celebration, a solitary figure stood in the shadows, swallowed by the darkness of their own melancholy.
• Flashback or Memory Sequences:
  • Present: He was terrified of the upcoming exam.
  • Flashback: The memory of the previous year’s failure haunted him, casting a long shadow over his confidence.

What is Said and What is Thought

A writer can include emotion in dialogue for any character. To go a step further, Point Of View (POV) characters may have internal thoughts to amplify (or contradict) what is said. A thought containing emotion adds power. Any contradiction between what is said and what is thought ramps up tension and makes the character’s personality deeper. Again, this is what chatGPT found:

•  Expressing Happiness:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I’m so happy to see you!”
  • Internal Thoughts: This is incredible! I never expected them to show up. It feels like sunshine after a storm.
• Expressing Sadness:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”
  • Internal Thoughts: I can’t believe they don’t see how much I’m hurting. I just need someone to understand.
• Conveying Anger:
  • Spoken Aloud: “You really messed things up!”
  • Internal Thoughts: I can’t believe they could be so careless. It’s infuriating how they always seem to disregard my feelings.
• Describing Fear:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I’m a bit nervous about this.”
  • Internal Thoughts: My heart is pounding. What if I mess up? What if everything falls apart?
• Indicating Surprise:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I can’t believe it!”
  • Internal Thoughts: This is beyond anything I expected. It’s like a dream come true.
• Portraying Love:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I love you.”
  • Internal Thoughts: Every moment with them is special. Their presence fills my world with warmth and joy.
• Communicating Disgust:
  • Spoken Aloud: “That’s repulsive!”
  • Internal Thoughts: How can anyone find that appealing? It’s nauseating, and I can’t fathom why they enjoy it.
• Demonstrating Confusion:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I don’t understand.”
  • Internal Thoughts: This is so perplexing. I thought I had it all figured out, but now everything seems to be unraveling.
• Expressing Regret:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I wish I hadn’t done that.”
  • Internal Thoughts: I can’t believe I let that happen. If only I could turn back time and make a different choice.
• Describing Determination:
  • Spoken Aloud: “I’m going to make this right.”
  • Internal Thoughts:No more hesitation. I have to fix this, no matter what it takes.

Emotions are Different for Different Characters

A character’s personality is a filter for emotions, meaning that joy to one character might be anxiety for another. By thinking about that filter and the character sketches authors often create, characters become more real. OK chatGPT, what are some examples?

• Emotional Range:
  • An optimistic and resilient character may be more likely to express joy and hope even in challenging situations, while a pessimistic character might lean towards skepticism or apprehension.
• Intensity of Expression:
  • An extroverted and passionate character might express their emotions more overtly, through animated gestures and enthusiastic exclamations, while an introverted character may convey emotions more subtly, perhaps through nuanced facial expressions or introspective moments.
• Communication Style:
  • A character with strong communication skills might articulate their emotions clearly and directly, while a character who is more reserved or struggles with communication might convey emotions through actions, body language, or internal monologues.
• Coping Mechanisms:
  • A character with a stoic personality might suppress or internalize their emotions as a coping mechanism, whereas a more expressive character might seek external outlets such as talking to others or engaging in creative pursuits.
• Conflict Resolution:
  • A diplomatic and empathetic character may approach conflicts with a focus on understanding and compromise, while a confrontational character may express their emotions assertively, leading to more direct confrontations.
• Vulnerability:
  • A character with trust issues or a fear of vulnerability may be hesitant to express deep emotions, while a character comfortable with vulnerability might openly share their feelings.
• Past Trauma:
  • A character who has experienced trauma may exhibit emotional scars, affecting their ability to express certain emotions or making them more prone to specific triggers.
• Cultural Background:
  • Example: Cultural norms and values can shape how a character expresses emotions. For instance, a character from a culture that values stoicism might be reserved in showing emotions, while one from a more expressive culture may freely display feelings.
• Personal Beliefs:
  • A character with a strong moral compass might express guilt or remorse more prominently, while a morally ambiguous character might rationalize or downplay their emotions.
• Hobbies and Interests:
  • A character’s interests and hobbies can provide outlets for emotional expression. For instance, a character who enjoys art might channel emotions into painting, while a sports enthusiast might find release in physical activity.

Common Words for Emotions

Use these words with care to avoid telling rather than showing. Try using The Emotional Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becky Puglisi to convert these emotions into what characters show to express the emotions.

Final Thoughts

A writer can boost a lackluster story to an emotional blockbuster by paying attention to character emotions. Use the techniques above and your readers will love you. your readers will put their arms around you and give you a big kiss.

See also: Add Emotional Depth to Your Characters