Writing a Reaction For Your Fiction Characters
By kristen overman
editor and writing teacher.
Not many writers realize this, but writing a reaction to events for your fiction characters can actually be the lynchpin to any scene. It doesn’t seem like this would be true. But writing a reaction to important story moments is a skill worth developing. When reviewing drafts for my editorial services clients lately, I've been reminded of this piece of advice: Stimulus, then reaction.
Writing a Reaction In Sequence
Here's an example of how not to do it when writing a reaction for a fictional character:
“Jeez! You scared me,” Anna said. Howard was standing in the kitchen, holding a butcher knife.
This confuses readers because the character reacts first, and only then do we realize what’s going on. See how the reaction to Howard comes before we understand that there’s even another character in the scene? Before we see him, or realize what he's doing with the knife? Let's switch that up for a more effective result.
Otherwise, the reader is left with a disorienting sensation—far from the suspenseful atmosphere the writer likely wanted. Instead of enjoying the story, readers’ minds are preoccupied with piecing together the stimulus-response connection. The jarring effect thus interrupts their reading experience. Instead, try writing a reaction like this:
Anna turned on the light in the kitchen and jumped. Howard, her ex-boyfriend, stood there, brandishing a butcher knife.
“Jeez! You scared me!” Anna said, laughing. “It’s not Halloween yet. Quit it.”
But he didn’t put the knife down, and the laughter died in her throat.
The key to writing a reaction that’s clear and engaging is to think about sequence. Once we reverse the original example, the situation becomes more clear. There’s more of a chance for some nuance from Anna. She thinks Howard is joking at first. But is he? This chronological or sequential approach ratchets up story tension.
Getting Emotional Juice From Writing a Reaction
Some writers might not like this more straightforward approach though. There are those who think that leaving readers in suspense is the most important thing when writing a reaction. But this can backfire due to that disorientation I mentioned above. Confusing writing is not the same as mystery. And when you decide to withhold information—from characters or readers—you should have a good reason, other than just wanting to create a cheap moment of surprise.
Especially in the above example, the withholding actually has no beneficial effect. Will withholding the cause of Anna’s surprise be truly beneficial when you end up disclosing that she’s reacting to Howard in a sentence or two anyway? Consider your goals when you’re writing a reaction.
Writing a Reaction to Deepen Character
The most important aspect of writing a reaction is to give the reader some kind of reaction beats from the character that gives readers a sense of that character and also deepens the reader’s understanding of what’s going on.
Anna’s reaction to Howard is telling. She’s surprised to see him and laughs. Is this nervous laughter? Or is Howard known as a prankster? She assumes he’s joking, showing that she’s pretty comfortable around him. Until she isn’t.
None of this is explicitly stated in the example, but it is shown. The reader must “read” the character’s reaction and unpack the implications. That’s what writing a reaction is all about.
Give a proper account of the stimuli, followed by how the narrator or main character interprets it, and then their response. This is a very easy formula to follow when writing a reaction in your fiction. At the end of the day, this is what humans do: see, interpret and respond. As it is in life, so it should be in writing.
elevate your writing
Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Kristen Overman is here to help you! She's an experienced editor with expertise in middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, adult fiction, and memoir. She can work with you to develop your plot, characters, and narrative voice, as well as assist in the brainstorming and outlining stages of your project.
