Balancing Action and Emotion in Writing

Action and emotion are neighbors in any story. One cannot exist without the other, and they often create a push-and-pull effect in any story.

A balance between the two helps to pace a story, slowing and speeding up to create a tension the reader cannot resist. We will examine writing techniques and tricks to balance action and emotion.

Both action and emotion serve important roles in your story. Action is meant to drive the plot, create urgency/excitement for the reader, and engage the reader. Action is often depicted through physical confrontations like battles, chases, fights, escapes, etc. Emotion is meant to develop the characters, help readers connect with the characters, and give meaning to the actions taking place. Emotions such as grief, love, regret, and hope help to develop these points.

So how do we create a balance between these essential writing tools?

Inject Emotion INTO Action

Action should not push emotion out of a story. While action is needed to drive the story forward, it also needs emotion in order to make an impact. Here are some examples of how emotion can enhance action.

Show how your characters feel as they go through actions. Internal thought is a great way to show this! Let their thoughts reflect their character's fear, adrenaline, etc. You can also use body language and expressions to enhance this. Clenched fists, shaky hands, and a racing heartbeat can also be ways to show your character's emotional state during a tense action scene.

Example: Your character is in a sword fight. They are losing blood but don't feel or notice the severity of their wounds. Instead, they stare at their opponent. Thoughts of their loved ones fill their mind. They must win the battle to protect the people they care about. They will die trying.

Slow it Down: Emotional Breathers

The reader and characters must take a breath following an action scene. Action scenes are meant to be fast-paced to create tension and urgency. The character needs time to process and reflect on what happened to them.

Emotional breathers allow the character to react. They could be shocked, regretful, or stricken with relief. To further enhance these emotions, include sensory detail and dialogue. These will keep the reader grounded in the story while allowing the pace to slow.

Example: Your character defeats the villain. Their companions help them stand. The scent of blood is pungent, and the villain's broken body is on the ground. Your character's weight becomes too heavy, their pain coming in a flash as their throat closes. "They are dead." They breathe the words, but they do not carry relief. Instead, they hold the metallic taste of regret.

Use Pacing to Control the Balance

Your story should bounce between scenes of high and low energy. Your pace will set the tone for how much action or emotion should be used in each scene.

If you are in a scene with fast-paced action, your pacing should reflect this. Short, punchy sentences will reinforce the actions. Simultaneously, emotional scenes of self-reflection will include longer sentences that flow. When you aim to build tension, mix short and punchy sentences with long, reflective sentences

Actions are Meant to Change Characters

This is truly the beauty of mixing action with emotion. Your character is constantly building and evolving through each action they experience. This will change and shape how they feel, think, and act as they move forward in the story.

Include your characters' physical, emotional, and mental scars. They will fail, triumph, and develop. These scars will cause them to develop traits that negatively or positively impact their journey and relationships. Trauma will also change their relationships, driving them together or apart.

How do you master the balance between action and emotion? Leave it in the comments, and happy Saturday!