@ByMatthewPorter@mastodon.social
Post #147655
2026-01-21 18:43 UTC
#WritersCoffeeClub 1/21. When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
Make it real. Make it a genuine expression of character. And make it serve the story.
One function of fiction is to help readers practice empathy. Another is to help readers know that no matter what they are feeling, they are not alone -- other people are feeling the same thing.
That requires portraying feelings, even unpleasant feelings, in a clear and honest way.
Replies (1)
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@zakalwe@plasmatrap.com 2026-01-21 19:20
@ByMatthewPorter@mastodon.social My novel Fireborn includes sections that cover in some depth past emotional abuse and recovery from it. I give a content warning right up front about it, and I warn that if you don't want to read about emotional abuse, then the book might not be for you. Some readers still complain that it's there. Meanwhile I've also been told by therapists that they have recommended Fireborn to their clients to help them to understand what emotional abuse can look like, and that being abused is not your fault.