Embracing Your Inner Drama Queen
I took four years of drama, shy soul that I am. And we talked a little about this at the Saturday writing meeting.
It works in writing. Really. Here's how.
Take the POV character in the scene you're in. Figure out this character's deepest emotion during the scene. Now think about yourself and when you've experienced this emotion.
Example: Heroine brings hero a sandwich but he doesn't notice her as anything but a friend.
Maybe this hasn't happened to you. Maybe you're a hottie and all guys notice you. :-) But think about rejection. Has there been a time in your life when you felt left out? Undervalued?
Rejected?
As you remember this moment in your life, take note of what happens with your heartbeat. Does your skin prickle? Does your mouth dry? Do you feel like running away or screaming?
Every character is different, make sure their responses fit their personality, but use your past to add life to their drama.
Feel what your character feels. Be that character, if only for a scene.
When people (or characters) do things you don't agree with, do you have trouble being empathetic or can you see themselves in their shoes? Ever hated a character so much that you just didn't want to feel what they do? How would you write the physical accompaniments to hatred?
It works in writing. Really. Here's how.
Take the POV character in the scene you're in. Figure out this character's deepest emotion during the scene. Now think about yourself and when you've experienced this emotion.
Example: Heroine brings hero a sandwich but he doesn't notice her as anything but a friend.
Maybe this hasn't happened to you. Maybe you're a hottie and all guys notice you. :-) But think about rejection. Has there been a time in your life when you felt left out? Undervalued?
Rejected?
As you remember this moment in your life, take note of what happens with your heartbeat. Does your skin prickle? Does your mouth dry? Do you feel like running away or screaming?
Every character is different, make sure their responses fit their personality, but use your past to add life to their drama.
Feel what your character feels. Be that character, if only for a scene.
When people (or characters) do things you don't agree with, do you have trouble being empathetic or can you see themselves in their shoes? Ever hated a character so much that you just didn't want to feel what they do? How would you write the physical accompaniments to hatred?
Comments
Exactly! In fact, one of the authors used to write?? (I think?) scripts so she'd had practice having to get the characters feelings across in only dialogue and actions.
Thanks for commenting Angela!
This was one of the things talked about at the meeting, so it's not my original theory. LOL! But it works and I can understand what the authors meant because of my years of drama.
It was a great reminder for me too!
Here's a great quote I read this morning: "the fear of rejection is worse than the rejection itself." I love that, and it rings so true.
I took drama, too, although i probably wouldn't have needed it, since I can make my own drama from very little happenings!
Great post!
Jen
I can't wait to see what happens with your devotionals!
I think some emotions are harder than others to capture too.
Love the title of this post!
I'm headed for Philly tomorrow AM. I'll see all of you on Sunday. :)
Blessings,
Susan :)
Thanks so much for commenting! I love hearing how you do this, or have taken theater, etc. Pretty cool info!
The way you wrote he horrifies you, it just made me chuckle. :-)
I hear you. I'm empathetic too, almost too much so. It's hard for me to get on to someone because many times I can feel their side of things.
Not my kids though. LOL!
LOL! Maybe you two should meet up, since you both want to act things out. Heehee! That would be too funny!
Loved reading the responses to this one.
In 'Surrender the Wind', my hero experiences the death of a loved one. I drew upon my own grief that I was experiencing at the time I was writing this scene. I drew upon the pain I felt, even to the point of tears. It was an emotional moment for me, and strangely enough, it caused me to come to grips with some of the issues surrounding the loss of my father, who I had been very close to.
Blessings,
Rita
http://ritagerlach.com/
I can be loud, but usually I'm quiet unless I'm super excited about something and I know people well.
But I loved drama so much. Getting into someone else's skin was wonderful. Also, when you're acting, you don't really see the audience because of the lighting, so it's not that bad. :-)
I'm so sorry about the loss of your father. :-(
It was wise of you to use those feelings though and no doubt made the scene a more heartwrenching, realistic experience.
:-) Have fun "exercising". LOL
:-)
Sometimes I wish I could turn off the "empathy button" in my brain - it helps me in writing, but it makes me too hyper-aware in real life.....
interesting post!
Ever heard of empaths? I don't know if it's a paranormal thing or not, but I'd hate that.