Refocusing Momentum in Emotional Writing

Did you know an emotion only lasts about 90 seconds?

Neither did I.

Research explains that when we experience an emotion, our brain produces a chemical response that lasts around a minute and half. The feeling we get is then prolonged by our thoughts.

When anger, frustration, or sadness show up, try to pause and experience. And once you understand the feeling, you learn how to return to it intentionally.

Here are a few ways you can do that:

Start with a feeling

You don’t need to explain anything. Begin with what you feel in the moment: confusion, relief, grief, hope, and let the writing sit there.

Find your emotional truth.

This is difficult to define, but you’ll recognize it when you feel it. Close your eyes and remember a specific moment when you felt something strongly (sadness, fear, etc)

Notice the details: what you saw, heard, smelled, who was there. Write as the feeling surfaces.

And when you feel stuck, borrow emotion.

Either  from your favourite character in a book or a movie you love. Imagine how they would feel in a particular situation and write from that place. Momentum matters when writing emotion. Be vulnerable, carefully.

Create an emotional garden.

Collect lines of dialogue, lyrics, phrases, observations, and moments that move you. Visit this collection when you feel stuck. It will feed future work.

While doing that, you could also mine your secrets, but don’t expose yourself completely. You can place personal truths into a character’s voice or a different POV.

Most importantly, write as if no one will read it. You can always revise later.

P.S. If a line surprises you while writing, go with it. That’s usually where the writing feels stronger.

-Editor