Anger from Inside Out
First, I’m pretty sure this guy runs the show in my head most of the time. Occasionally, Sadness knocks him out of the way and you can tell what movie my son watches about once a week. Obviously, ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’.
Anyway, there are times I write a powerful scene and it draws out emotions that I have trouble turning off. For example, I’ve learned that I shouldn’t drive anywhere right after I write a car chase scene in Crossing Bedlam. Going into public after a scene that involves crying characters and heartbreak isn’t helpful either. All part of the job, I guess.
- Is there one emotion that you find yourself gravitating toward more than others?
- What tactic do you use to ‘reset’ your emotions after finishing a scene?
- Is there an emotion that you have trouble putting into your work?
Legends of Windemere 
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Charles Yallowitz with some questions for you. Emotions are not just for humans but for our characters too.. We use their emotions to bring them to life and to provoke a reaction from our readers.. but after a writing a harrowing scene.. how can we switch off? Head over and add your views.
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Thanks for the reblog. 🙂
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I find it the most difficult to write scenes that involve animals and children.. Kleenex to hand. Chocolate helps.
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I know a lot of people like that. Animals and children are really hard to do anything negative with. You’ll inevitably upset yourself and someone in the audience.
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My problem is leaving emotion out…
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So you have trouble adding it?
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No… leaving it out, or keeping it low key.
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Sometimes that works. Depends on the story really.
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Tell me about it… 😉
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I also tend to get immersed in the emotions of my characters. I haven’t come up with any good tactics for getting out of it…
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Seems to be a tough mental state to escape.
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I change gears, try to do something else,chopped vegetables, hug my cats, wash dishes, do errands. It takes time. Some emotions stick long. I’m with Sally regarding children and animals as well.
Interesting discussion. 😉
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Time is good advice. Kind of like scuba diving where you have to depressurize. Think that’s what happens.
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Is there one emotion that you find yourself gravitating toward more than others? I am usually a pretty level person emotionally except if I ‘m writing a tense scene. Then I go into the zone and can try to feel how my characters feel.
What tactic do you use to ‘reset’ your emotions after finishing a scene? I grab a big drink of water and leave the room. It’s the only thing that works. I used to try and go on to the next scene but found myself still thinking of what I wrote.
Is there an emotion that you have trouble putting into your work? I have a problem with sorrow and insecurity. These are two things that I have programmed out of my life since growing up nearly consumed by them. It is troubling for me to go back into those emotions. I can do it but it carries a personal cost.
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An author who drinks water? Will wonders never cease. 😉 Good point on emotions that we either program out of our lives or simply have no experience with. Those can be really hard to drum up or come with a block because we fear getting stuck.
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So true. Yes water. I save the alcohol for a reward.
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Good plan. 🙂
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🙂
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The emotion I’m stuck in…as an Italian…Catholic…that would be guilt. My characters feel guilt throughout my writing. They feel guilt for things they’ve done and haven’t done. I wonder if there’s a connection.
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That is curious. Guilt seems to be glossed over or put to the extreme in writings. I admit to doing the later at times. It’s a really hard emotion to bring across.
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I’ve had a great deal of practice.
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They do say practice makes perfect.
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My characters often seem to be carrying heavy anger. In the current WIP, she’s having to realize she contributed to her problems. The anger gives her a lot of spark in dialogue, as she’s very reactive to perceived insults, but it also can be a turn-off for readers who feel less sympathy for a character who is angry all the time. It’s something I’m monitoring as I finish up the first draft.
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Interesting that you mention that. I’ve heard a lot of people complain about characters who are angry and negative. Yet that always seems to be the biggest mentality on the Internet and TV. Maybe books make it more obvious.
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