Create a Strong Emotional Experience for your Story Readers by Amy Deardon

Create a Strong Emotional Experience for Your Story Readers

Today I’d like to highlight a non-fiction book, something I rarely do on Net’s Book Notes. As a writer, I’m grateful for helpful writing craft books. If you’re a writer, Amy Deardon’s latest is a great one to add to your to-be-read pile.

Let’s begin with this book’s description:

Emotionally Bond Your Reader to Your Story

Learn the Character Traits that Make Your Hero and Villain Come to Life on the Page

Use Point of View as the Key 

The close emotional experience a reader experiences with your characters is the most important reason he or she keeps reading and loving your story. You can strengthen that bond between your reader and characters by using straightforward writing techniques that transform your characters into sparkling individuals.

In this book you will …

• —Discover the essential traits that a story character must have to become a “real person” for your reader.
• —Review techniques to translate your character’s personality onto the page so your reader knows him or her as well as a best friend.
• —Grasp the powerful point of view technique that plunges your reader into your character’s mind.
• —Master these tactics in your own writing by going step-by-step through examples that will show you exactly how to make them work.

It's easier than you think! You can continue to be frustrated building characters by trial and error, hoping you've captured the elements that will unflatten them... or learn the powerful proven techniques that generate vibrant story people.

And now, my review:

I appreciate Amy’s ability to break down fiction writing techniques into simplified, info-packed nuggets for writers. She’s published a few how-to writing books now. According to her Amazon author page blurb, she is “a Ph.D. scientist” who decided to scientifically study story structure. I’m glad she also chose to share her discoveries with other writers. 

As usual in her writing how-to books, her chapters are short and concise. You get the info, a brief explanation and/or example, and the tip. These tips occur at the end of every chapter, and they’re also included at the end of the book for easy reference. 

I’ve been editing and writing for a long time, but I still find nuggets in Amy’s approach to story structure. I highlight my copies of her books—whether paperback or e-book. 

Seasoned writers will find familiar information, but you’ll also probably find a new key to help unlock that area where writer’s block has imprisoned you. Amy’s approach brings clarity and practicality to story structure without extra verbiage. 

I highly recommend her books!