How to Write Anger in Stories (Writing Advice)

Summary

In this video, author Brandon McNully explores how to effectively write characters dealing with anger. He highlights the importance of understanding what triggers a character's anger, giving it purpose, and tailoring it to different situations. McNully emphasizes the need for deep emotional exploration, moving beyond clichés by incorporating subtle signals and sensations. He also suggests spreading anger throughout the story to create ripple effects, motivating other characters and escalating conflicts. Ultimately, McNully provides valuable insights on how to turn anger into a powerful tool for character development and plot progression.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anger is a hostile emotional reaction to a perceived wrong, injury, or irritation. It plays a major role in storytelling, especially when triggered by significant events.
• 😀 Effective anger in storytelling requires three steps: 1) The cause of anger, 2) The process of dealing with or suppressing anger, 3) The release of anger.
• 😀 Characters should not act on anger immediately after a triggering event; processing or suppressing it creates more depth and makes their emotional response more impactful.
• 😀 To write compelling angry characters, you must understand what angers them, how long they take to react, and how they express anger (yelling, violence, avoidance, etc.).
• 😀 Anger must serve a narrative purpose: to drive motivation, create conflict, or develop characters. Avoid using anger as a filler or to add empty tension.
• 😀 Different levels of anger (small, medium, large-scale) can be used depending on the event. Small-scale anger can provide comic relief or change a scene, while large-scale anger can drive major plot shifts.
• 😀 To deepen anger, include physical signs, internal sensations, thoughts, and actions. Avoid cliches by making the character’s anger experience unique and specific.
• 😀 A character's anger should create both internal conflict (emotional wrestling) and external conflict (action against others), adding complexity to their journey.
• 😀 Anger can spread like wildfire—one character’s anger can trigger another’s, escalating conflict and creating ripple effects that deepen the story's emotional impact.
• 😀 Examples like Anakin in *Attack of the Clones* and Aaron in *Attack on Titan* show how anger can evolve over time, influencing character arcs and long-term story outcomes.
• 😀 Always aim for anger to affect the plot meaningfully, whether it motivates a character to seek revenge, change the world, or deal with the consequences of their actions.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video regarding anger in storytelling?

The video focuses on how to write characters who deal with heated emotions, particularly anger. It explores how anger drives character motivations, creates conflict, and impacts the overall story.

What is the first step in effectively writing a character’s anger?

The first step is understanding the cause of the anger. This involves determining what triggers the character's anger, which can be a perceived wrong, injury, or irritation.

Why is it important for a character to process their anger before releasing it?

Processing anger allows the character to wrestle with their emotions and decisions, creating depth and conflict. Skipping this step can make the emotion feel rushed and underdeveloped, which detracts from the emotional impact.

How does Aaron Yeager's anger in *Attack on Titan* differ from Anakin Skywalker's in *Attack of the Clones*?

Aaron's anger in *Attack on Titan* is developed over time and becomes a key motivator throughout the series, with layers of internal conflict. In contrast, Anakin's anger is immediate and doesn't allow for emotional processing, making it less impactful.

What role does anger play in creating conflict in a story?

Anger can create both internal and external conflict. Internally, a character may struggle with how to act upon their anger, while externally, anger can lead to confrontations or harm, influencing the plot and character relationships.

What are the potential consequences of anger in a narrative?

Anger can lead to various consequences, such as escalation of conflict, revenge, or irreversible actions. It can also affect other characters, spreading anger further and creating a ripple effect that complicates the story.

How can different types of anger (large, medium, small scale) be used effectively in storytelling?

Large-scale anger, like a murder, can drive major plot events, while medium-scale anger might influence a character's arc. Small-scale anger can temporarily change the direction of a scene or provide comic relief, as seen in moments like Peggy shooting at Steve in *Captain America*.

Why is it crucial to avoid portraying anger in a one-dimensional way?

Portraying anger in a one-dimensional or cliché manner (e.g., only yelling or clenching fists) can make the emotion feel shallow. To make anger more engaging, it should be explored in nuanced ways through physical signals, internal sensations, and unique character reactions.

What is the significance of using a resource like *The Emotion Thesaurus* for writing anger?

Using resources like *The Emotion Thesaurus* helps writers diversify how they portray anger, offering a range of physical signals, mental responses, and emotional triggers to make the anger feel more genuine and less predictable.

How does the ripple effect of anger, as discussed in the video, add depth to a story?

The ripple effect of anger creates multi-dimensional conflict, showing how one character's anger can escalate tensions and lead to further emotional turmoil. This deepens the story by illustrating how unchecked emotions can cause a cycle of harm and suffering.