Why Emotional Engagement Is the Hallmark of Great Fiction

Hey!

Okay, you’ve crafted an exciting plot, a twisty-turny story with dazzling prose. You’re ready to have it reviewed.

Yet, when your beta readers return with your manuscript, their feedback is sullen and lukewarm.

“I didn’t feel connected to the characters,” they say.

Ouch.

Okay, what’s missing? Emotional engagement.

Readers want to feel.

They crave moments that tug at their heartstrings, make them laugh, or even grit their teeth in frustration. Without that emotional connection, even the best plots can fall flat.

So, how do you write stories that resonate with your readers?

First Off

I’m terrible at this. I originally started writing as an academic and turned technical writer; the name of my game back then was Milk Toast. That kind of writing doesn’t do emotion.

Even today, I stumble over what a character might feel at a specific moment in my story, and I’ll ask my betas, “Er, what do you think is happening here? What’s this character feeling?” Believe me, I’d much rather write a fun sword & sorcery action scene than process what somebody is feeling. Yuk. Who cares? Look at this cool dragon.

Now, please don’t think of me as emotionally stunted, disconnected, or ambivalent. I’m just not very good at identifying emotional responses to problems. I’m a very clinical and analytical person. I’m not a Vulcan, but I'm rooted in a worldview involving more data than emotional processing.

So, first, I’ve learned to ask for help. Maybe you’re like me and have trouble recognizing emotions. Ask your betas for help clarifying what your characters might be feeling. If you need to, ask for help identifying that emotional connection.

Let Them Speak Their Truth

Dialogue and monologue are the lifeblood of emotional engagement. What your characters say — and what they leave unsaid — reveals their inner worlds.

For instance, a character confessing, “I’m fine,” while clenching their fists tells us they’re anything but fine. In my short story, The Baker of Bogwollow, Griselda continuously wrenches her scarf in the first act. She’s nervous and afraid and doesn’t have words to convey her anxiety, but her body language expresses all the reader needs to know.

Here’s another example from Baker:

Across from Griselda’s stall, Pleasance Hogmeadow brought a warm lemon cranberry scone to her mouth, positioning her other hand to catch its crumbs. Chewing, Pleasance’s eyes fluttered, and a smile played at the corners of her lips.

Griselda looked away. Mother insisted they tasted best in the fall. Dry autumn leaves scattered across the weathered pier while the bakery’s aged wooden sign swayed from rusted chains overhead.

Griselda avoids eye contact with Pleasance, and her senses turn to rustling leaves and a swaying sign overhead. She suspends the moment to remember something about her mom. This subtext might tell you something about the character. Use subtext to convey emotional depth and keep the dialogue authentic. When emotions are high, people stumble, look away, interrupt themselves, and hesitate. Let your characters do the same.

Monologue, whether internal or spoken, is where the raw feelings spill out. It’s where a character wrestles with their guilt, fear, or joy. Instead of telling us, “She was scared,” show us the racing thoughts, the self-reassurances, or even the irrational leaps her mind takes.

Body Language Speaks Volumes

Humans are physical beings, and emotions often manifest in the body. A furrowed brow, trembling hands, or a character stepping back during an argument tells us more than words ever could. Layer body language with your dialogue to make emotions vivid.

For example:

“I don’t care what you do,” he said, but his voice cracked. He turned away, shoulders hunched, his fists stuffed into his pockets.

We feel his conflict because we see it. The author doesn’t need to tell us about it.

The Problem With Flat Emotions

Readers won't stick around if your characters are emotionally unavailable or their reactions feel generic. A character weeping inconsolably after a breakup might be realistic, but without context — what did that relationship mean to them? — it’s just noise. Emotions must feel earned and rooted in the character’s journey.

How to Bring the Emotion Home

1. Know Your Characters Deeply: What are their fears, joys, and regrets? Every emotional reaction should stem from their unique perspective.
   

2. Use Dialogue Wisely: Avoid clichés and let characters express emotions in a way that feels true to them.
   

3. Lean Into the Physical: Combine words, tone, and body language to paint a complete emotional picture.

Emotional connections with characters in fiction are at the heart of good storytelling. When readers feel invested in a character’s journey, the story becomes more than just words on a page — it transforms into an immersive experience. Here’s how this connection elevates storytelling.

1. Engagement Through Relatability. Characters with relatable emotions, desires, and struggles allow readers to see themselves or someone they know within the story. This relatability creates empathy, pulling readers into the narrative and making them care deeply about the outcomes. A character struggling with self-doubt may resonate with readers who have faced similar feelings, making their triumphs or failures profoundly impactful.
   

2. Emotional Stakes Drive Plot. A story becomes gripping when readers are emotionally invested in a character's goals. Tension rises as readers root for the character’s success or survival, even when obstacles seem insurmountable. A protagonist racing against time to save a loved one creates urgency because the emotional stakes make the outcome matter.
   

3. Creating Memorable Moments. Moments of joy, heartbreak, triumph, or sacrifice hit harder when readers feel connected to the characters experiencing them. These emotional beats often linger with readers long after the story ends. A character sacrificing their happiness for someone else becomes a powerful, unforgettable scene if readers are deeply attached to their motivations.
   

4. Connection Fosters Reflection. Readers often process their own emotions through a character’s journey. This connection can inspire introspection, helping them explore their beliefs, fears, and values in the safety of a fictional context. A character grappling with moral dilemmas can challenge readers to think about their own ethical boundaries.
   

5. It Makes the Story Universal. Emotional connections transcend cultural, historical, or genre-specific boundaries. Love, loss, ambition, and fear are universal experiences, making characters who embody them resonate widely.

Final Thoughts

Writing emotional engagement isn’t about making readers cry on every page; it’s about making them care. Good storytelling thrives when readers care. By crafting characters with depth, authenticity, and vulnerability, writers tap into a shared human experience, ensuring the story resonates personally and profoundly. Whether your protagonist is a hero, antihero, or villain, readers need to see their humanity — their highs, lows, and everything in between. Show us their hearts, and you’ll capture ours.

R