When I sit down to read a manuscript on submission, one of the many things I focus on is the use of emotion. How does the author handle the characters’ emotions? In what ways do emotion and behavior play off of one another? Are the characters self-aware or acting blindly in reaction to their feelings? So I jumped when I saw HBO Max had premiered a new short series with Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart, based on her book of the same title, where she discusses the relationship between emotion and human connection, with a focus on how we use language (or don’t use it) to describe our emotions.
For anyone unfamiliar, Brené Brown is a researcher on the topic of human emotions, a university professor, and the author of several books addressing how people manage the tougher emotional aspects of life, notably shame and vulnerability. In this latest effort, she digs deeply into the wide range of emotions and humanity’s apparent reluctance to actually discuss those feelings. The series only touches on a fraction of the emotions covered in the book, but Brown uses TV and film clips and stills, as well as audience participation, to illustrate how we react to a range of feelings in different circumstances, and how precisely we can label them. Although she stresses the emotion occurs first and the language comes after—feelings followed by thought—the relationship between the two and our ability to accurately identify our level of emotion sets the standard for how we react to circumstances going forward.
Another interesting point Brown makes is that the behavior we witness from a person often serves as a mask for their true emotion. For example, men often exhibit rage when what they feel is shame or embarrassment. It made me think of how often I read a line where a character “reads” another character’s emotions on their face and knows precisely what they are thinking. The truth is, even when you know another person very well, you cannot always be sure you’re reading them correctly without some verbal confirmation. Situation, personal history, and other factors might contribute to this sort of knowing, but garnering emotion purely from facial expressions is much more difficult and unlikely.
I binge watched the series, which is only five parts, and have gone back now to watch it more slowly, an episode at a time. As a human being, I find it fascinating to hear about this research just as it applies to my life and relationship, but I think it’s also an excellent resource for writers looking to deepen their understanding of human behavior and connection. Mapping the heart feels like another path to opening up your heart. To people, to creativity, to better things.
Unsurprisingly, the book version, which covers more than twice the number of emotions covered in the series, has worked its way onto my TBR list.
My favorite podcast, from the folks at Slightly Foxed, has reduced its frequency from monthly to quarterly, due to the work necessary to produce it so often in conjunction with the staff’s primary efforts, which include their quarterly literary magazine and their lovely Slightly Foxed Books. Although I understand their decision, I have been quite impatiently awaiting the new episode, which dropped today and served as the soundtrack to my breakfast. This edition takes a look at the life of mid-century British author Barbara Pym, whose Excellent Women I read and adored a few years back, as well as some of her contemporaries. Pym wrote character-driven works and was, on occasion, likened to Jane Austen. After watching so much emotion-laden analysis via Brené Brown, it felt quite on theme. If you have any interest in women writers of that ilk, I highly recommend checking out this episode for an inspired reading list. And, of course, if you haven’t already, peek back at the previous episodes, as there’s a pretty decent backlog at this point and they cover a range of topics.
Although I live in a warm-weather climate, and the calendar claimed it was spring a few weeks back, I never really feel the shift in season until I cross certain things off on my mental list. Last week I was in Connecticut for a few days, visiting with my mother and getting her tax return handled, and I spotted one of my favorite indicators: early spring asparagus at Trader Joe’s. These are not the sad winter holdover variety we sometimes get in California during months when no self-respecting asparagus should appear on a market shelf. These were bright and slim and tender looking, no brown edges. And I grabbed a bunch, because they were only two dollars. My mother made a face and tried to put them back, insisting they wouldn’t be good because they were too small, but I persisted.
Does anyone else take pleasure in proving a parent wrong? It’s a little pettiness reminiscent of childhood, but I’m willing to admit to it. I trimmed off a smidge from the bottom of those baby asparagus, drizzled then with a bit of olive oil and sprinkled on some sea salt, then popped them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for all of five minutes. We ate them with a squeeze of lemon, alongside burgers and smashed potatoes, and my mother devoured every bite. She’s a convert.
My other spring signals are sighting the first robin in the garden, something that’s more an east coast thing than west, and Easter candy in the stores. I’ve ticked all my boxes now, and I have to admit, it’s doing great things for my mood. Even acknowledging that we’re not completely out of the pandemic woods, life feels more promising. People have become busier, more responsive, more interested in moving forward with projects. And I feel energized. More buoyant. What’s making you excited these days?
Speaking of excitement, I’m delighted to share my first in-person event for 2022! Futurescapes Workshop, for which I did a virtual event last month, is moving forward with their first in-person gathering since February of 2020. I’ll be teaching and critiquing along with a few other excellent folks from August 8thto 11that the Snowbird Resort in Utah. Applications are open now. You can get full details at the website.
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A few more links to share:
Inside Someone Else’s Head: A Conversation with Jennifer Egan – The author talks about her latest novel, The Candy House, as well as thoughts on loneliness and technology and getting inside the minds of her characters.
How to Finish that Piece of Writing – Susan Orlean offers up some practical advice over on Medium.
“In Moderation and Without Worry.” On Jane Austen’s Use of Food as Character – An interesting look at the role of food in Austen’s writing, complete with a lovely recipe.
What’s Happening with the Literary Community in Ukraine? – More than a month into the war, a look at publishing life in the midst of the current situation.
14 Books about Nature by Women Writers – Pretty much as described.
Currently in my teacup:
Trader Joe’s Mint Watermelon Black Tea
Currently on my nightstand:
Not much personal reading time, late, so still THE ATLAS SIX by Olivie Blake.
That’s all I have for now. Thank you for reading! If you’d like to chat about character emotions (or any emotions!), favorite books or podcasts, things making you happy at the moment, or anything else, please feel free to drop a note in the comments. I love hearing from you.
Meanwhile, wishing you all a good Easter/Passover/Ramadan or whatever else you may be celebrating at the moment. Until next time.🥰
I used to live outside Paris, where the best asparagus was white and available at the open-air market in early spring. I miss that. Both the asparagus and the open-air market. My husband is Swedish, and when a trip to his home country happened to correspond with asparagus season, he'd carry several bunches of the thick stalks to share with family.