What do you do if your writing lacks the emotional intelligence traits publishers and editors look for?

2 Seek Feedback

Gathering feedback is an invaluable tool in improving your writing's emotional intelligence. Reach out to beta readers, writing groups, or professional editors who can provide constructive criticism on how your writing affects them emotionally. They can point out where the narrative falls flat or feels inauthentic. Use this feedback to understand how others perceive your writing and where you can enhance emotional depth.

3 Study Emotion

To write with emotional intelligence, immerse yourself in studying emotions and their impact on human behavior. Read widely across genres and pay attention to how accomplished authors develop emotional arcs and characters. Additionally, consider researching psychology to gain insights into emotional responses and motivations. This knowledge will help you craft more nuanced characters and emotionally charged narratives.

4 Practice Empathy

Practicing empathy can significantly improve the emotional intelligence of your writing. Put yourself in the shoes of your characters and your potential readers. Consider their backgrounds, experiences, and emotional responses to various situations. Writing exercises that focus on character backstories or alternative points of view can deepen your understanding and portrayal of complex emotions.

5 Revise Ruthlessly

Once you've identified areas for improvement and gathered insights, it's time to revise ruthlessly. Look at your work with a critical eye, focusing on enhancing emotional elements. Cut out anything that doesn't serve the emotional journey or add depth to the narrative. Rewriting scenes from a more emotionally intelligent perspective can transform your writing from good to impactful.

6 Continuous Learning

Lastly, commit to continuous learning and improvement in emotional intelligence. Writing is a craft that benefits from lifelong learning, so keep seeking out new experiences, books, workshops, and other resources that can help you understand and convey emotions more effectively. As you grow in emotional intelligence, your writing will evolve, better connecting with readers and meeting the expectations of publishers and editors.