By SS Hampton, Sr.
All writers know, though
sometimes-newer writers must be reminded, write from the heart. Pour your
emotions into your writing. Your readers will pick up on the intensity and
reality of emotions, they will empathize with your characters, they will relate
to your characters, their situation, and therefore your story.
Happiness. What has made
you happy? Do you remember how you felt when you proposed to your future
spouse? Do you remember how you felt when she or he said yes? How about when
your child was born, and you held the baby in your arms? How about the grin on
the baby’s face the first time they walked (staggered) while you or your spouse
held their hands so they wouldn’t fall? Can you describe this happiness in
strong, descriptive words?
When I was moving to a
new city my son and his girlfriend, with my first grandson, arrived for my
farewell luncheon. My 9-month old grandson, carried by his mother, was looking
around at all the people gathered in the hallway—the absolute and wonderful
curiosity that all babies have. I grinned when I saw him. He saw me and a
beautiful smile appeared on his little face. My grandson smiled at me!
Love. How would you
describe your realization that you loved someone and wanted to spend the rest
of your life with her or him? Do you remember, as a child, how you felt when
you loved your mom and dad, or perhaps your sisters and brothers? You might say
happiness is easy, easier than love.
My life has been such a
roller coaster that love, other than for my children and grandchildren, has
always been a fleeting experience.
Pain. This might be the
strongest emotion of all, especially where it involves death. Be cautious when
examining that area of emotions; sometimes you set loose “demons that you
thought you had exorcised. Can you remember how you felt upon hearing of the
death of someone? Not a stranger as in, for example, death reported in the
news, but someone close to you? How would you describe your emotional reaction
to death?
It is true that there is
a body-wracking chill that accompanies the news. It can be a kick in the gut
and followed by numbness followed by anger. And finally acceptance, because
there is nothing else that can be done.
I suggest you sit back,
close your eyes, and reach within yourself. Many times the emotions are
pleasurable. Sometimes they’re not. But if you can put your emotions on paper
and bring your characters to life, your reader will be rewarded by true,
believable characters, and your writing career will advance.
Good luck!
____________________________________________________________________
SS Hampton, Sr. is a
Choctaw from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a divorced grandfather to 13
grandchildren, a published photographer, photojournalist, and fiction writer.
He served in the Army National Guard 2004-2013 and is a veteran of Operations
Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom. He retired on 1 July 2013 with the rank of
sergeant first class. His writings have appeared in Ruthie’s Club, Lucrezia
Magazine, Megaera, The Harrow, River Walk Journal, and Dark Fire, among others.
His second career goals include becoming a painter and studying for a degree in
photography and anthropology—hopefully to someday work in and photograph
underwater archaeology. After 12 years of brown desert in the Southwest and
overseas, he misses the Rocky Mountains, yellow aspens in the fall, running
rivers, and a warm fireplace during snowy winters. As of December 2011 in Las
Vegas, Nevada, Hampton officially became a homeless Iraq War veteran. His books include Intimate Journeys, Christmas Collectibles, and Second Saturday.
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