How many of you own or have read The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass?
Today I’m interested in these ideas:
“How many novels have moved you to tears, rage, and a resolution to live differently? How many have left a permanent mark, branding you with a story that you will never forget? The number probably isn’t great, and of that small number I suspect most of your memorable choices are not current novels but classics. What makes them classics? Artful storytelling, sure, but beyond the storytelling, classics have enduring appeal mostly because we remember the experiences we had while reading them; we remember not the art but the impact.
“When a plot resolves, readers are satisfied, but what they remember of a novel is what they felt while reading it. Hooks may hook, twists may intrigue, tension may turn pages, and prose may dazzle, but all of those effects fade as quickly as fireworks in the night sky. Ask readers what they best remember about novels and most will say characters, but is that accurate? It’s true that characters become real to us but that is because of what they cause us to feel. Characters aren’t actually real; only our own feelings are.”
I’d love to hear your reactions to these ideas. Any reflections sparked by this quotation or by the book in general? For instance, in your opinion…
- Is emotional impact more crucial than plot or prose in a novel? How do you balance these?
- What emotions do you aim to evoke in your readers? How do you ensure they last?
- What makes a classic emotionally resonant? Can modern books hit the same level?
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