A Novel Journey: Fiction as an Empathy Machine

I thought writing fiction would be easier. After all, I've read hundreds of novels, dissected story arcs, and studied character development. But I've discovered that crafting convincing fiction demands something far beyond technical skill: it requires an exhausting emotional intelligence. Creating believable characters isn't just about inventing biographical details or crafting clever dialogue — it's about fully inhabiting another consciousness. Each day at my desk feels like an acting exercise gone deep, as I struggle to think, feel, and react as someone fundamentally different from myself. It's proving to be one of the most emotionally and intellectually demanding things I've ever done.

Writing fiction, at its core, is an exercise in empathy. It compels the author to inhabit the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of people not like them – sometimes people who are wildly different, morally ambiguous, or outright reprehensible. A well-crafted story forces us to confront and find understanding in the actions and motivations of others. Storytelling functions as an empathy machine, forcing us to see the world through another’s eyes. To write well, I can’t observe characters from a safe distance. I have to fully assume their psyche – the character’s most personal thoughts, personality flaws, and deepest motivations must be comprehensively studied.

Writers must temporarily suspend their own judgments, beliefs, and moral frameworks to fully understand their characters' choices. Even when writing villains or characters whose actions we deplore, we must find that thread of human truth that makes their motivations comprehensible, if not justifiable. This deliberate practice of perspective-taking shapes not just the characters, but transforms the writer, expanding our capacity for understanding the complexities of human nature.

In our current era of polarization and tribal thinking, where social media algorithms and echo chambers reinforce our existing worldviews, this kind of radical empathy feels more crucial than ever. Perhaps what we need isn't just more stories, but more storytellers – more people willing to engage in the challenging work of inhabiting perspectives vastly different from their own. The skills required for fiction writing – deep listening, suspension of judgment, and genuine curiosity about different viewpoints – might be exactly what our fractured society needs to begin healing.

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Thanks to a good friend for the thought-provoking conversation that led to this realization. You know who you are, and your friendship is appreciated more than you know.

The Tyranny of the Delete Key

The process of writing, or any creative pursuit, is as varied as the human experience itself, with an infinite number of paths from a blank page to a finished piece. An unexpected truth I’ve uncovered through the evolution of my process is that the path to better writing leads through deliberate inefficiency.

This realization came from an unlikely source: joining a letter exchange group. As I began exchanging handwritten letters with members from around the world, I noticed an interesting trend – my letters possessed a clarity of thought that eluded the rest of my writing. What began as a curious affectation became a valuable lesson in writing.

I now begin every first draft on paper using a fountain pen or typewriter. Only until I begin editing do I digitize my work. Ironically, adding a specific amount of friction to the writing experience improves my output. Internalizing the idea that you can’t easily modify what you’ve written prompts deeper consideration before writing. This mental “pre-writing” results in more deliberate sentence construction and a stronger logical link between sentences. After all, clear writing only results from clear thinking.

It turns out I had been solving the wrong problem. The efficiency in writing isn’t the speed, it’s the quality of thought. Removing the safety net of the delete key forces more profound thought and, ultimately, more effective communication through fewer drafts.