Writing Through Emotion: Stories Readers Feel explores how writers can use emotion, psychology, character development, and conflict to create fiction that resonates with readers. We'll look beyond simply describing how a character feels and explore the deeper questions: Why does this character react this way? What do they fear? What do they want but refuse to admit? How have their experiences shaped the way they see themselves and the people around them? These questions can transform a character on the page into someone who feels genuinely human.
Throughout the class, you'll learn techniques for developing emotionally complex characters, creating believable motivations and reactions, and using both internal and external conflict to strengthen your stories. We'll explore how emotions influence choices, relationships, dialogue, and behavior, as well as how to write emotionally intense scenes without relying on cliches or telling the reader what to feel. Through guided exercises and practical writing activities, you'll have opportunities to apply these concepts directly to your own characters and stories.
I hold a Master's degree in writing as well as a certificate in online teaching, and writing has been a lifelong passion of mine. I'm especially fascinated by the emotional and psychological side of storytelling: the reasons characters make the choices they make and why certain stories stay with us long after we've finished reading them. My approach to teaching combines the craft of writing with curiosity about human behavior, giving writers a supportive space to experiment, develop their voices, and dig deeper into their characters.
You don't need to be an experienced writer or have a finished manuscript to take this class. You simply need a desire to tell meaningful stories. Whether you're developing your first character, working on a short story, or trying to breathe new life into a novel already in progress, you'll leave with tools you can continue using throughout your writing journey.
Because readers may forget exactly what happened in a story. But they rarely forget how a story made them feel.
Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I hold a Master's degree in writing as well as a certificate in online teaching, and I love exploring not only how stories are written, but why certain stories affect us deeply.I'm especially interested in the connection between psychology and storytelling: what motivates characters, how their experiences shape their choices, and how writers can use emotion and conflict to create characters who feel genuinely human.As both a writer and an educator, I want to create the kind of writing environment I value most: welcoming, creative, curious, and encouraging. I'm excited to help writers explore their ideas, strengthen their storytelling skills, and discover new ways to make readers care about the characters they create.Most importantly, I believe writing is something we never stop learning, and I'm excited to learn, experiment, and create alongside my students.
