Writing is all about investing.
When you write, you invest your time and knowledge of the subject you are writing about. You invest your energy to make the words flow and fit together like a song. Most importantly, when you write you must write with the emotion.
I have a theory. People usually do not remember specifics of a book they have read, they remember how the book them feel. Therefore, the readers must feel strong emotions, positive or negative depending on how you want them to feel, regarding your book. In order to do this, writers must write with emotion and vigor. Without it, a reader will have no reason to pick up your book. For your reader invests as well. They invest their time and attention.
So how does one write with emotion?
First of all, the writer must adore the topic they are writing about. That or hated it. I know that sometimes I start with a book that I love and by the end I simply hate it. It must be something that matters to you in the strong way and something you know others need to feel it the same way as you do.
You must be brave. Sometimes I read books whose authors are timid. They are scared to say something offensive or traumatic or opinionated. It is in your story, so write with strength in the face of the reader. Right about something controversial. Sure, it will make someone unhappy, but someone will always be unhappy. I did not intend my first book, "The Day the Devil Smiled", to be a topic that is debatable. And that's okay! It is my best selling book because people have the possibility to disagree with it. Be brave and write about something challenging, something that is hard to write about. I respect authors who take horrible, real life stories and make into novels that evokes such intense emotion that no one can put it down.
Invest in your character. I'll always stress this, realistic characters make realistic stories. If your characters are not believable or relatable then there will be no point to your story. Why do we listen to our friends talk about their day and past experiences? As far as stories go, they are usually not action packed, full of twists and turns, and unexpected events that catch you by surprise. Sure they have a good line here and there, but in general it is usually simple, commonplace stories that are nothing exceptionally special. So why do we listen? Because we care about our friend. Same is true with the characters. You must invest in your character to the point that they are a close friend so that when they die, you cry, when they succeed, you rejoice, and when they have hardships, you feel bad for them. For whatever you feel for your characters, your readers will feel the same.
Being a writer is not easy. There is a lot of responsibility and talent in writing. You hold several lives in your hands; your characters and your readers. The most important of all is your readers. You must be swept off your feet by the tale dancing in your head so that your reader also may be carried off into the fantasy. Dive deep into what you create and become connected with all that you write so that your reader may follow suit. Let them feel the heartbeat of your book just as you do.
