Activity

*swings in from a loose vine* *Adjusts her quiver* Mornin’ Avensers! Sorry, I’m late. Those monkeys stole my laptop.

I’ve gathered you here to discuss the bane of emotion in fiction.

*pauses for affect*

MELODRAMA!

*grins*

I’m sure you have all had some experience with melodrama. Wheather its an over-the-top slow-motion death scene in a film (*cough* The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies *cough*) Or a random burst of emotion in a book, we’ve all seen it.

The question posed today is, what causes melodrama? And how can we avoid it?

For my part, I think melodrama is partly caused when emotion progresses too fast. When readers aren’t let in on a character’s thoughts and telling is relied upon, emotions can get dramatic fast.