Finding the Emotional Truth and Planting Your Story’s Seed

As authors, we’re often told to write what we know. But what does that really mean, especially when crafting stories for young readers? It doesn’t mean your autobiography needs to become a children’s book. Instead, it’s about digging deeper, past the facts, to uncover something far more powerful: the emotional truth of your lived experiences. This emotional truth is the fertile ground for your story’s emotional seed. It’s the secret to transforming a mundane memory into a fantastic piece of fiction that resonates deeply with readers.

What is the Emotional Truth?

Think of a strong memory you have: good or bad.

• The “Facts”: Perhaps it was the day you lost your favorite toy at the park, or the time you felt utterly thrilled after riding a bike without training wheels for the first time.

• The “Emotional Truth”: This isn’t just what happened, but how it felt. It’s the sting of unexpected loneliness when your toy vanished, or the exhilarating surge of pride and freedom as the wind whipped past your ears.

The emotional truth is universal. While the specifics of losing a toy might differ for every child, the feeling of loss is a shared human experience. This is your connection to your reader.

Planting the Emotional Seed

Once you’ve identified that potent emotional truth, you have your story’s emotional seed. This seed isn’t the plot; it’s the core feeling that will drive your narrative.

Here’s how to cultivate it:

1. Identify the Core Emotion:

1. • Think about a memory. Was it about fear, joy, embarrassment, jealousy, belonging, bravery, or grief? Strip away all the specific details and just name the feeling. This is your seed.

   • Example: A memory of being the new kid in school.

   • Emotional Seed: The feeling of being an outsider and longing for acceptance.

2. Ask “What If?”:

2. • This is where the magic of fiction begins. Take your emotional seed and let your imagination run wild. Instead of writing your story of being the new kid, ask:

     • “What if the new kid was an alien trying to fit in at an Earth school?”

     • “What if the new kid accidentally brought a magical creature to show-and-tell?”

     • “What if the whole town suddenly became ‘new’ to the main character?”

   • The “what if” transforms your personal truth into a fantastical premise. The plot can be wild, but the underlying emotion remains authentic.

3. Ground it with Sensory Details:

3. • Even though the story is fictional, you want the reader to feel it. Use your own sensory memories related to that emotion to inform your writing.

   • For “being an outsider”: What did that feeling look like (watching other kids play from afar)? What did it sound like (the muffled laughter you weren’t part of)? What did it feel like (a knot in your stomach, clammy hands)? Weave these into your fictional world, whether it’s an alien planet or a suburban school.

Why This Matters for Your Readers

Children are incredibly perceptive, and they can spot inauthenticity. When you tap into a genuine emotional truth from your own life, even through a fantastical lens, your story will carry a resonance that readers instinctively connect with. They won’t know it’s your memory, but they will recognize the feeling, and that recognition is what builds empathy, understanding, and a lasting impact.

So, next time you’re searching for a story idea, don’t just look for a plot. Look for a feeling. Dig deep for that emotional truth, plant that emotional seed, and watch a fantastic story bloom.