Bleeding onto the Page: a writing exercise

by Jan Drexler

One of the most often heard criticisms of stories is that the characters lack depth. I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “cardboard characters.” On the other hand, I’m sure you’ve also found yourself in tears while reading a book whose characters tugged at your emotions.

But how do you make sure your characters are filled with enough emotional depth to touch your readers’ hearts?

You have to tap into your own emotions. That heart-tugging connection with your readers comes from the depths of your own soul.

We have all had experiences in our lives. You know the kind. Sad ones. Tragic ones. Or the longing to experience something that never happens.

The experiences and longings we really don’t want to talk about.

We bury them deep within our souls and keep them between us and God. We might not even share them with our spouse or other loved ones. Not even our most trusted friend.

Those are the experiences we need to tap into. 

Here’s an excerpt from my book, “The Amish Nanny’s Sweetheart” where I dig deep into my character’s soul. Guy is an orphan, working on an Amish farm, and Judith is the neighbor girl he's falling in love with.

Guy took three steps into the barn before he remembered the work he needed to do was inside the house instead of out here. But his only thought had been to get away from Judith. He heard Eli’s crying end and turned to watch Judith comforting the boy. Her head bent over his brown curls as she talked to him, then she wrapped him in her arms as he clung to her, safe and secure.

Judith rose and went into the house, but the scene clouded over as tears filled Guy’s eyes. He let them fall, leaning his head against the solid wood of the door frame. He had shut her out and pushed her away just as much as he had shoved Eli off his lap and onto hers. But why?

Because the feelings she brought out stopped his very breath. He dug his fingernails into the oak beam as the pain of those feelings overwhelmed him. If he could be little again…if he could see Mama again…if he could feel safe again…

He tore his thoughts away. He was a grown man, not a child. His life was laid out in front of him. A stark and lonely track with no end.

What was it about Judith that upset his well-ordered life? Before she’d come along, he had been happy.

Well, maybe not happy. But he could work, laugh and enjoy David’s company and Verna’s cooking. But now that he knew her, it was as if her steady blue eyes looked right into him and saw the scared little boy who needed a friend.

She made him long for things that would never happen. Things like a home. His own family. A…a wife. A partner in life. Someone to love and to love him. Someone who wouldn’t leave him behind.

How could something he wanted so badly hurt so much?

So he had pushed her away when she awakened those longings in him again. But the hurt only grew worse until it felt like someone had sucker-punched him and left him gasping for breath.

“Please, God.” The words came out as a whisper, barely passing over his lips as he breathed out.


I never had the same experiences Guy had lived through – no family, no place to call his home – but I have experienced unfulfilled dreams. I knew the pain Guy was feeling, and the confused emotions. The lashing out when I should have been holding close. Despair rather than trust. I tried to give Guy those thoughts and feelings – even though bringing them into play was more painful than I ever thought it would be.

How can you bring your emotions into your characters’ lives? Let’s do a little exercise.

Take a moment right now and dig deep into your soul. Deeper. Open those closed doors. Do you remember that heartache? That unfulfilled dream? That painful loss? That thing that hurts so much that it takes your breath away? You can feel the ache…physical…emotional…

Don’t hide from it. Don’t push it away. Feel it. Let the tears fall.

Now, capture that feeling. Write down that feeling. Write from your pain. Bleed onto the page.

And don’t worry…you’re not going to share this with anyone.


Do you have it? Did you capture that feeling?


Now, give that feeling to your character. If you haven’t already, dig into your character’s past. Find out what wound she holds close that has never healed. Find out what her deepest secret desire is. Tap into that. Give your character the words she or he needs to express that deep want. The unfulfilled dream.


Take your time to do this exercise. We’ll wait.

* * * * * * * * *

All right! Is everyone back with us?

Let's go on - -

You might never put the words of this exercise into your story, but you will use the emotions you uncovered.

And if you did this exercise with us today, I can hear you asking: 

“Why? Why put myself through this pain? I’ve been there before, 

and I don’t want to go back there.” 

I can only say this: It would be tragic for you to have traveled that path and suffered what you have suffered if you never handed it over to God to redeem it. He knows your pain and sorrow, and maybe…just maybe…He will use what you have written to comfort someone going through the same kind of sorrow. Maybe…just maybe…He will use that to bring someone to Himself.

Isn’t that reason enough? 

Let’s talk about story characters! Tell us about a story character that has touched you deeply. What do you like most about that character and why?



One commenter today will win one copy of their choice of my Love Inspired Historical books! 

There are six to choose from!!!