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Emotion is the fiction-writing mode whereby a character's feelings are portrayed. Unfortunately, emotion is not widely recognized as a distinct fiction-writing mode. Failure to treat it as such:

* Downplays the contribution emotion makes to a story

* Diminishes the likelihood that emotion will be fully analyzed and understood by students of fiction

* Reduces the likelihood that emotion will be utilized skillfully and to its full potential

Some writing coaches lump thinking, emotion, and sensation into one category. Certainly, each of these is linked to the mind of the character, but thinking, emotion, and sensation are also quite different, in real life and in fiction. Given their importance and their differences, each warrants its own analysis and treatment.

Sometimes emotion is included in broader categories, such as narration, description, or summary. Of course, emotion may be considered a subset of each of these writing modes under their broadest definitions, but lumping emotion into such wide topics does little to clarify its use; in fact, it adds to the confusion.

CONVEYING EMOTION
In published fiction, the portrayal of character emotion may appear to be seamless, almost effortless. In reality the finished product is the result of hard work by an author using six basic techniques for portraying emotion:

* Stating emotion

* Explaining emotion

* Dialogue

* Introspection

* Bodily reaction

* Action

STATING EMOTION The easiest means of adding emotion to a story is for the narrator to simply state the character's emotion. For example:
As Cisco approached the livery stable, he felt a growing sense of frustration.

But as Ann Hood states, "One way we fall into ambiguity is by labeling an emotion rather than honestly exploring it."

EXPLAINING EMOTION One step beyond simply stating an emotion is to explain it or tell about it.

For example:
As Cisco approached the livery stable, he felt a growing sense of frustration. If Black Bart got his way, innocent people could get hurt or killed.

DIALOGUE Emotion may be conveyed though dialogue. For example:
As Cisco approached the livery stable, he grabbed Billy by the shoulder. "I'm worried that if Black Bart gets his way, innocent people could get hurt-or killed."

INTROSPECTION Emotion may be conveyed through a character's thoughts. For example: As Cisco approached the livery stable, he realized that if Black Bart got his way, innocent people could get hurt or killed.

And of course, thoughts should be consistent with the character's emotional

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