July 28, 2007
Emotional Moments
Written by Cindy Kirk in Jaunty PostToday I’d like to talk about what tugs at your heartstrings? What brings a tear to your eye? A sigh to your lips? Emotion swelling up and closing your throat….okay, you’ve got the picture. 
Most authors feel they’ve done their job when a reader gets vested in the story, when they care about the characters, when they feel an emotional reaction to what is happening. I once read a scene where a mother was desperately trying to hold onto her child as someone tried to pry the child from her arms. As a mother, I experienced the anxiety and fear that the woman in the book was feeling.
What other kind of scenes bring out the tissues? Loneliness in the elderly. A friend told me about her husband laying tile in a grocery store…and how an older gentleman stood and talked to her husband all morning while he worked. It was hard for the guy to concentrate on his job, but he could tell the man was lonely so he didn’t tell him to leave. All I can say is that tilesetter is definite hero material.
In my book–When She Was Bad—I felt sick when Jenny’s lies were revealed and Robert walks away from her. The two were perfect for each other and they “had” to be together. (The black moment in most books affects me this way)
I’m sure you’re thinking I was crazy to be so stressed, because I had to know they’d get back together. Yes, in a romance a happy ending is guaranteed. But I’m a pantzer, not a plotter and, at that point, I just wasn’t sure “how” they’d get back together.
Anyway, I’d like to hear about scenes in a book you’ve written or one you’ve read that brought your emotions surging to the surface. C’mon, everyone should have at least one example to share…
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Jenna Petersen Says:
In DESIRE NEVER DIES, I got choked up when Lucas told Ana that she didn’t have to love him, that he had enough love for both of them. After everything they’d been through, just the idea that he didn’t know she loved him and was willing to live with that if he could just be with her… well, it got me.
Also, in SCANDALOUS, I cried when Dominic’s father closed the door.
I also cry every time I read THE DUKE AND I and Daphne makes Simon studder. Oh, that gets me!!
Shana Says:
Animals make me cry. Any time something bad might happen to an animal I get choked up. I have some scenes like that in my next book, BLACKTHORNE’S BRIDE. Plus, I saw Arctic Tale this morning (a screening). I cried at that! Those polar bears get me every time.
Helen Says:
Anything to do with children and animals will choke me up and when two people are so in love and one will do or give anything to convince the other of their feelings depending on what the story line is these can be tears of joy or sadness.
Have Fun
Helen
AndreaW Says:
Oh, Jenna, that scene in DND got me, too!
In Kate Smith’s BE MINE TONIGHT, I cried when Pru was on the brink of death and Chapel was debating on what he should do (I won’t say specifics to avoid spoilers). So, so emotional.
Clarisse Says:
Andrea, that is exactly the scene I thought of in answer to this question. First and only time I ever jumped to the end of a romance book to make sure it was going to be okay.
Death is what always gets me in any kind of book. Matthew in Anne of Green Gables, Gus in Lonesome Dove. Oh, and I agree with Jenna, the stutter scene in The Duke and I totally finishes me off every time.
Pat L. Says:
Anything with someone dying of course or children looking for love or to be wanted or struggling with a handicap.
It is funny you mention this today as yesterday I read a wonderful book - the final one of Susan Mallery’s Buchanan series - Tempting - read it in one day and the hero’s mom and dad adopted 8 (him included) children and 7 were special needs - The character of Bailey a 15 yr old down’s syndrome girl and Ian and boy with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair just tugged at the old heartstrings - the characters were strong and very well written. The story brought a few tears to my eyes.
Any of Nicolas Sparks books will have you using a box of tissues; Barbara Delinky’s Three Wishes had me crying for quite a bit and Kristin Hannah’s Home Again - wonderful story - again you need the old box of tissues.
Re Tempting - I definitely recommend it!
I'm writing down the titles Says:
I’m writing down the titles of all these great books.
Pat L.- thanks for the Susan Mallery one. I love her books but haven’t read Tempting…yet!
J Perry Stone Says:
Okay, I’ve been thinking about this one for two days.
It was a Virginia Henley book and I can’t remember the title. The hero had black hair with a streak of white he would blacken so he could play duel roles. He played brothers, one a pirate-type, and the other a constable type role.
Anyway, the heroine got stuck in jail, was denied food, was abused, and became so thin and beaten down that when she stood before the constable (the hero) who’d been scrambling to get her out, she realized he didn’t recognize her.
My heart was in my throat the entire time.
And then Henley turned it up a notch because in the next scene, we realize the hero was only pretending he didn’t recognize her to preserve her dignity.
Kathryn Smith Says:
Andrea and Clarisse, I love you both! Thanks. I never had any idea that Pru and Chapel’s story would get that kind of response.
Recently I got choked up when one of my heroines told the hero (who’s a vampire) that she doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for him forever.
And I got choked up several times for Lilith in A Game of Scandal, who wanted so much to have a husband and a child, but figured she would never have that kind of life.