Thread by @Maria_Tureaud

A few weeks ago I was asked to expand on 'telling' emotions in prose, vs 'showing' emotion through Deep POV. Buckle up, buttercups. This could be a long thread #writingtip #writingtips #writingcommunity (1.

Telling emotion in prose: He was angry
Showing emotion in prose: An angry flush stained his cheeks and he balled his fists.

In the 2nd example, we name the emotion, but also show the reader what it looks like. This is one way to show vs tell when it comes to emotion (2.

Telling emotion in prose: He was angry
Showing emotion in prose: He flexed his hands, balling them into fists as a crimson flush stormed up his neck.

In the 2nd example, we use angry/ready-for-battle language (stormed) instead of naming the emotion, but understand he's angry (3.

Both of the above examples are simple show vs tell. SVT is a hot debate, and I get it. Trust me, there are places where you should absolutely tell instead of show. But when it comes to emotion, show is King. Writing is, however, art, and you should always write from your heart (4

But you can't truly write from your heart if you don't convey that emotion to the reader. Show is how you do this. So, it can take years to master show vs tell (DAMN IT, MARIA), or months (PHEW!). That all depends on you, and the work you put in. But then there's another layer (5

That next layer is Deep POV. Deep POV is where, regardless of first or third person, the reader is firmly inside the MC's head--who the MC is, their personality, their wounds, trauma, their evolution as a person, their wants, desires, and feelings (6

I've seen arguments re: Deep POV. Oh, it's a YA thing *eyeroll*. Untrue. It's as present in modern Adult genre fiction (AND EVEN LITERARY) as it is in any other market. When you understand it, you can recognize it anywhere. So, why is it used? (7

In today's publishing climate, with so many books available through e-book, self-pub, Indie, and Traditional publishing, it's VITAL to hook that reader and suck them in from page one. We've become a society used to 'want it NOW' & a short attention span (8

I'm aware this isn't true for all consumers, or readers. I grew up on classics, and 19th century gothic, and King. I still enjoy all those books. But because of the shift in consumerism, publishing shifted, and now 30 pages of setting a scene means alienating *most* readers (9

So, I've gone on about what Deep POV is. Now, how to execute. *cracks knuckles* I see this question a LOT:

"In Deep POV, do I italicize or NOT italicize thoughts?"

The answer is, if you're executing in Deep POV, there ARE no thoughts to italicize, because those thoughts are (10

...already part of the prose. (Don't tear your hair out. Bear with me).

'Like hell I will,' she thought. "Sure, Jim."

1st person: Like hell I will. This guy's got some balls. "Sure Jim..."

3rd Person: Hell would freeze over before Trace did this guy's work. "Sure, Jim." (11

That's a start. Here's a good resource: Rivet Your Readers With Deep Point of View, by Jill Elizabeth Nelson.

Now, back to the original question.

We've discussed showing emotions. Now on to showing emotion through Deep POV. First, a how-to, then examples (12

1: Learn who your character really is. Pretend you're a therapist. Who are they? What makes them tick? What are their circumstances? On the surface, what's their trauma?

By trauma, I mean the thing that haunts them. An incident, a lost loved one, etc (13

2. Now that you have your initial profile, it's time to dig deeper. WHY does that trauma haunt them? This brings us into the realm of the Emotional Wound. Pick up 'The Emotional Wound Thesaurus' by @AngelaAckerman and @beccapuglisi if you haven't already. (14

3. After you've read all about the Emotional Wound, and used the worksheets, then identified your character's wound from the wound profiles in that amazing book, you will now have an in-depth idea of who your character is.

Next. Become the character. Get inside their head (15

4. Now it's time to get real. How aware are you of balling your fists? That a flush storms up your neck? I don't know about you, but I'm not always conscious until it makes me uncomfortable. And what makes us so uncomfortable? That physical reaction triggers a memory/feeling (16

Armed with your complete character profile, and now attempting to be a 'method writer' (like a method actor, where you become your character), You're ready to REALLY connect your reader to your MC. Which means it's time to revamp my early examples. (17

https://twitter.com/Maria_Tureaud/status/1286692816496799745?s=20

https://twitter.com/Maria_Tureaud/status/1286695556769886210?s=20

@threadreaderapp Unroll