Building a rewarding and emotionally charged fictional reality is an exciting creative endeavor.

A story may boast a clever plot, expertly crafted with intricate twists and compelling complexities. Yet, without a meaningful connection between the External Activity—the events and actions—and the Internal Life—the emotions, motivations, and personal stakes—it risks falling flat. Such a disconnect renders the narrative hollow, leaving readers or viewers disengaged and disappointed, no matter how masterful the structure appears.

Without genuine emotion, we lose our ability to truly care. While we may experience fleeting moments of excitement, terror, horror, or even awe, these feelings remain superficial and short-lived. They lack depth and fail to forge a meaningful connection. Authentic emotion—an unfiltered glimpse into the writer’s humanity—is what brings a story to life. Without it, the narrative remains hollow, devoid of the profound resonance that lingers long after the tale is told.

We don’t just follow a character as they journey from their ordinary world into an extraordinary existence; we become deeply entwined in their lives. Their struggles, triumphs, and transformations resonate with us on a personal level. By the time the credits roll, we leave not only with a sense of wonder but also with something meaningful—a piece of their story that stays with us, shaping our own perspective in unexpected ways.

As a storyteller, it’s essential to have a clear strategy or technique for developing the physical, or External, Plotline of a story and crafting a compelling line of dramatic action. In our The Write Journey course we introduce you to 16 structural points that will plot your story effectively.

When it comes to expressing inner values and establishing a personal perspective on a story, writers are often guided only by their instinct or intuition and a little luck.

Creating a rewarding & emotional fictional reality

As a writer, you have to:

• lluminate the thoughts and inner world of your characters: Show us what a character is thinking, delve into what’s happening inside their mind, and reveal how their perspective shapes a meaningful and rewarding inner life.
• Reflect on the thematic purpose of your story: If the central theme revolves around ‘Man versus Nature,’ you must subtly integrate it into your dramatic action. Use subplots to deepen the exploration of this theme, allowing it to emerge naturally. Amplify its presence with nuance and balance, steering clear of overt preaching.
• Reveal the memories or histories of the events and characters in your story: As your character navigates the external plot, juxtapose the physical action with a vivid emotional landscape. Use this to delve into the past, uncovering experiences that shape and inform the present, enriching the narrative with depth and resonance.”

It’s a delicate balance between the Internal Life and External Life of your story that culminates in a complete story that is engaging and emotional.

Building a rewarding and emotionally charged fictional reality

• Craft Compelling Characters: Create characters with depth and complexity, including strengths, flaws, fears, and desires. Their emotional journeys should feel authentic and relatable. Introduce varied dynamics among characters, like conflicts, alliances, and evolving relationships.
• Build an Immersive Setting: Design a world that feels alive and meaningful—whether it’s grounded in reality or fantastical. Pay attention to its culture, history, and environment.Use sensory details (smells, sights, sounds) to draw readers into the reality you’ve created.
• Emphasize Themes and Moral Dilemmas: Explore universal themes like love, loss, identity, or redemption to give the story a resonant emotional core. Include moral challenges or pivotal moments where characters’ choices carry profound consequences.
• Pace Emotional Highs and Lows: Balance moments of tension with relief. Give readers time to process intense scenes before introducing new drama.Use emotional hooks—scenes that deeply impact characters and readers—to create powerful turning points.
• Add Unexpected Twists: Surprise readers with plot twists or emotional revelations, but ensure they feel earned and not arbitrary.
• Involve the Reader’s Imagination: Leave some ambiguity or open questions for readers to interpret and engage with.

Nothing is more rewarding than a story that lives in your heart forever.

Exploring the Outer Life of Your Story

Learn more about the art of structure and dramatic narrative in our The Write Journey course.