Using Emotions to Create Stories That Truly Move Your Audience

When I was a little girl I used to keep a secret diary. All my stories were written there for a very special audience: no one. Not even me. Probably out of shame, or because they were too raw,  too full of feelings and confessions. I'm not sure, but I used to write for no one. 

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I should ask my parents or siblings if they ever committed the crime of reading that diary. I have my suspicions. They shouldn't have. But even if they did, they weren't the intended audience. There was another simple intention beyond those untidy lines: the release of emotions, the free expression of feelings. That was that.

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Emotions. Feelings. What would life be without them? What would storytelling be without them? If I had written in my secret diary without including them, there would be no diary at all. There would have been no reason to burn them years later. The simple thought of someone reading them made me feel so exposed, so vulnerable. I still keep the last one. Hidden. But I don’t dare read it. Probably I should. After all, those raw, unfiltered emotions could be the key to new stories that resonate deeply with others. And isn’t that what storytelling is all about?

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I’m sure no writer has ever written a story without evoking their own emotions. Well.. at least no story worth reading. There may have been stories written with no emotions, but would you get from the beginning to the end without dropping it? I wouldn’t. And with time I have found that whenever I abandon the reading of a book or a story, this is the reason why: I can’t connect emotionally. Feelings are central to both personal expression and narrative creation. 

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My diary writing has shaped my understanding of emotions in narratives. I remember making no sense of just recounting the events. There was no reason for writing if I couldn’t vent, if I couldn’t describe what I felt before, during, and after every experience worth writing about. Obviously, none of my entries would make a good story just as it is. I am sure it would need a lot of editing and polishing, but another thing I am sure about is that it would be the emotions and not the events that would make my stories reach the readers’ hearts and keep reading because emotions are the lifeblood of any narrative.

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Neurologists have found that emotionally charged experiences are more likely to be remembered. Stories are also experiences. This is why stories that evoke strong emotions, whether joy, heartbreak, or fear, stay with us long after we’ve turned the last page. We will remember the ones that made us feel something: good or bad, but something strong. 

How can storytellers achieve that? There are many ways this can be done. Luckily, each writer has a personal tool kit when writing - that’s what makes reading so interesting! Here are some insights into mine:.

The Emotional Arc

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The characters’ emotional journey throughout the story will determine the extent to which the reader will or won’t connect. Mapping highs and lows is a key aspect to reaching resonance. We all know most storytellers plan the major events of their stories before getting down to writing. The emotional arc should also be planned. Ultimately, planning the emotional arc is just as important as plotting the story’s action. It’s what will truly hook your readers and keep them coming back for more.

Characters Count

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Princes, Princesses, Kings, Queens… Can the average reader relate to them? Crafting characters with relatable struggles and emotional depth will help the readers get into the story themselves, feel identified. Don’t kick the reader out with the “Once upon a time” tale. Invite them to step in by choosing which character is them in disguise. When readers see their own emotions reflected in your characters' journeys, it deepens their empathy and connection, making the story even more impactful, creating a bridge between their world and the narrative, transforming the story into a shared experience that resonates long after the final page is turned.  

Show, don’t tell

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Underestimating the audience could be a big mistake. Instead of bluntly telling the reader how the characters felt, describe their sensations. Make the readers experience the emotion themselves without stating it. Use rich imagery and sensory language to Invite them to join the character in the journey and feel the emotions in their bodies. Trust your readers to interpret and engage with the story. Allow them the freedom to connect with the emotions in their own unique way.

Be Authentic

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Authenticity in storytelling is essential for engaging readers and allowing them to connect on a deeper level. Instead of forcing the plot or character traits to fit a specific mold, trust your instincts as a writer. Allow characters to develop naturally and situations to evolve in a way that feels genuine. Readers sense authenticity making them more inclined to invest emotionally in the characters and their journeys.  Remember, it’s the vulnerable, raw, unfiltered moments that resonate the most. Keep artificial constraints at bay. There’s a fine line between genuine emotional connection and overdoing it.

Balance

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Trying too hard to connect emotionally through a story is as risky as forcing a connection in real life. Just as authenticity brings readers in, imbalance can push them away. Have you ever found yourself feeling a natural rejection for someone who is trying too hard to connect with you? There’s a thin red line between connecting successfully and blowing it up, in real life as well as in storytelling. Avoid overwhelming the reader, or melodrama. Not too many people feel attracted to that. Keep it balanced and whenever you doubt if you have gone over the top, use humor to ease the tension. After all, it’s about engaging readers in a way that feels natural and relatable, leaving them with a lasting impression rather than an overwhelming experience.

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Writing compelling stories is no easy task. Ask any writer how much work they put into each one of their pieces. There’s not a recipe to do so, but there are certainly some things that must be there: authenticity, vulnerability, genuine emotion.

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I have a rough diamond collecting dust, hidden in a drawer. The only diary I’ve kept, full of raw life stories, overflowing with feelings and emotions that I’m not sure I dare read. Probably I should. Who knows, with some work, polishing and editing they might turn into fabulous stories that touch the hearts of many readers. 

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What’s your ‘hidden diary’? What raw, unfiltered emotions are waiting to be transformed into stories? Take a moment to revisit those vulnerable moments. They might just hold the key to your next great story. 

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I know it’s not easy to face vulnerability, but you know what? Here I go. Off to get a coffee. I’ve got some reading to do. And hopefully some writing, too. 

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