Empathy in writing is key to connecting readers to your story. Assuming readers will feel what you intend without creating that connection is a mistake.
You can’t simply tell someone to feel sad or happy and expect it to work. Similarly, portraying an emotion doesn’t guarantee readers will relate. Sympathy and empathy differ: sympathy is a reaction, while empathy is readers sharing the character’s emotions—a much deeper bond. When readers empathize, they cheer for your characters, feel their heartbreak, and truly care about their journey.
Let’s explore how to write with empathy effectively.
Richly Developed Characters Foster Empathy
When you’re trying to create characters that readers can empathize with, the first thing you need to do is some deep characterization. But when you dig really deeply into the creation of a character, you’ll find yourself needing to ask questions about their point of view.
Things to Consider
- What does your character want more than anything else?
- How can you portray character traits in an unusual way?
- What things from your character’s past are likely to interfere with your character getting what they want?
- What is your character most afraid of?
- In what ways does your character excel—what are their special skills?
- What unique experiences has your character had that give them a different perspective on “normal” life experiences?
- When did your character become the person they are at the start of your story?
- What type of person do you want your character to be at the end of your story?
By taking the time to dig deeply into what makes your character tick and their personal history, you’ll begin to form the tools for the creation of empathy.
Using a Unique Voice
Deep characterization sets the stage for exploring your character’s unique point of view (POV), specifically their voice. This isn’t about first or third person—it’s about how your character’s background, profession, upbringing, and personality shape their perspective.
Good writing reflects this through dialogue and thought, but great writing goes further. By infusing a character’s experiences, history, and personality into their POV, you create a compelling voice. This voice helps readers connect deeply, laugh at unexpected moments, or feel emotions they’ve never experienced—all because they see the world through your character’s eyes.
Fresh Perspective on Humanity
Creating strong characters with distinct voices allows you to offer readers fresh perspectives on humanity. This is a powerful way to use empathy, but it comes with responsibility. Writing solely to evoke emotions, like exploring the mind of a psychopath without purpose, risks harming or alienating readers.
Infusing humanity into your characters should be done thoughtfully to avoid emotional manipulation.
Readers also need a clear reason for their journey through your story. In some genres, like romance, the goal is obvious—a happily-ever-after. However, if your characters endure intense hardships without justification, even a happy ending won’t leave readers satisfied. Always balance empathy with purpose to create meaningful connections.
The Results of Writing With Empathy
Writing with empathy is one of the best tools in a writer’s arsenal to create powerful fiction that readers can connect with. If you take the time to really do it well, you’re likely to make passionate readers who will be along for the ride with not only that book but other books you’ve written. In other words, you’ll make fans.
Empathetic writing opens up new worlds, new perspectives, and new points of view. And that’s the best experience a writer can hope to offer, after all.
