Every memorable book doesn’t just tell a story—it makes us feel. Beyond character, plot, and setting, the most potent stories evoke emotion. Here are five key responses great books often stir: smiling, laughing, frowning, crying, and thinking.
SMILING
Smiling comes from happiness. Splendid stories offer moments that spark joy—whether through a character’s triumph, a heartwarming scene, or an unexpected act of kindness.
I dislike taking pictures, partly because smiling on command feels unnatural. The discomfort worsens when the photo looks forced. Yet when I smile for a character’s journey or victory, it feels real—because it is.
LAUGHING
Readers laugh when stories are hilarious. I gravitate toward side characters with dry or sarcastic humor, or those who are unintentionally amusing—quirky, naïve, or hilariously unaware.
Laughter, even in serious novels, can ease tension and pull readers in. It’s often the unexpected human moments that linger on the longest.
FROWNING
Frowning is simple to evoke. We do it as much as we smile. Or maybe that’s just me. Strong stories make us mad at someone or something. Frowns come from frustration or disappointment—usually aimed at the antagonist, but sometimes at the hero too.
These moments matter. They create an emotional contrast, making the eventual hope or healing feel earned.
CRYING
Crying, whether from heartbreak, injustice, or an overwhelming moment, shows a story has reached the reader’s core. Tears connect us with characters and their struggles and triumphs.
If we cry tears of sadness while reading an incredible book, it means we feel what the characters are feeling, or we have sympathy for their situations. When you feel yourself in a good book, it makes it all the more worth reading.
THINKING
A brilliant story lingers in our thoughts. Through a lesson learned or a question posed, powerful themes bring lasting impact. If a story doesn’t make us think, it may lack substance. Themes are usually identifiable throughout a story when authors use concrete symbols like a light bulb symbolising bright ideas, or abstract symbols like the color purple representing royalty.
Whether a story is funny, romantic, or extremely serious, substance is always essential for a thought-provoking and excellent story. Themes help produce that substance and allow readers to read between the lines to discover the underlying messages and ideas writers want readers to see and feel.
OTHER ELEMENTS
Beyond these emotions, novels require other elements based on genre or topic, such as uncontrollable laughter, goose bumps, nervousness, fear, and romance.
LAUGHING OUT LOUD!
This isn’t just about the occasional joke. The best comedic writing sparks fits of laughter—the kind that catches you off guard and doesn’t let up. Some books contain smart jokes and silly antics that keep readers in stitches. Not all, but the ones that do add a flair that touches the funniest of funny bones.
DEEP EMOTIONS
Goosebumps often arise from awe, wonder, dread, triumph, empathy, or nostalgia—emotions that are hard to define. Getting goosebumps is a physical reaction and an emotional response. I often find myself getting emotional while watching commercials or news stories that convey a powerful message. One that stands out is when a military parent surprises their children by showing up at school after being deployed overseas for an extended time. These also well up tears in my eyes.
TENSION
Every story benefits from tension—it keeps readers leaning forward, eager to see what’s next. Tension often relates to suspense. Without that tension, stories seem to be flat.
I don’t like reading books when I already know the story. I want to be surprised, and tension is one way that keeps me on edge, as I don’t know what will happen next.
FEAR
Mysteries and thrillers can evoke fear, although it’s most commonly associated with horror. Fear may seem unpleasant, but for some readers, it’s what makes a story great.
It’s not exactly my vibe. Horror movies, horror books; they do nothing for me. I don’t understand how some people thrive in fear. The terms phobophilic (those who enjoy fear) and horrorophile (those who enjoy horror media) seem insane, but that doesn’t mean those who are phobophilic or horrorophiles are insane. They have an insatiable thirst for thrills—which, to me, feels wild—but I get that it’s part of the fun (I think…)
ROMANCE
Romantic feelings are expected in romance novels, but any genre can include romance, and many readers seek them out.
I have never read a romance novel in my life, but I assume those who read them experience a myriad fuzzy emotions that remind them of their romantic moments or those they wish they had.
There must be something about the genre that keeps readers coming back—something that makes them feel connected to the characters and invested in their stories. I guess, just like in life, most people long for someone they can count on. Someone to love, to have, and to hold.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether it’s laughter, fear, or tears, these emotions help transform a story into an experience.
As I write My Invisible Name, the sequel to My Invisible Father, I strive to make these emotions visible throughout the story. Writers should avoid using every emotion in every line or chapter and instead spread them naturally across the novel.
I finished the first draft of my latest novel yesterday—the sequel to My Invisible Father. I’ve read the draft over and over, and if the emotions still hit me just as hard on the tenth read, I hope they’ll resonate just as strongly with you. When My Invisible Name is released, I can’t wait to hear how it made you feel.