Feb 14, 2020
After reading this chapter, I feel like I understood the reasons for Verona's sorrow. Unfortunately, while I can definitely say this chapter explains she had a tragic backstory, there are some aspects that it lacked in order for it to truly be effective. Take note that other readers may be affected differently, but I'll try to explain why I hardly felt different after reading.
The main reason is that I haven't spent much time with Verona prior to this chapter
She was introduced in the previous chapter, and her introduction was a scene of her trying to seduce Odrian, a complete stranger. It honestly felt a little comedic too because of the awkward dialouge between them. Also, the way it played out felt too fast-paced for me that it didn't really raise the tension.
Before you try to make a reader feel for the character, you should try to let them get organically attached to them and that can take time.
It's like how you'd feel if a close friend of yours and a complete stranger suffered the same fate at the same time. You'd definitely feel like crying for your friend since you might think back on all the fun times you've spent together and how that'll no longer be possible. For the stranger, you'd definitely feel sorry that something unfortunate happened to them, but that's most likely the farthest you'll go. It's hard to cry for someone you didn't feel close to.
There are exceptions though, and there were times that I felt genuinely sad for a character that was introduced and only had screentime for less than five minutes before being killed off, but that was because there was plenty of background and build-up that lead to their moment which served as the kicker. How it was executed was important too.
It's challenging to pull off something like that, and I honestly don't think I can do it yet, so I'm trying to master the basics giving my readers some time with my characters before I reveal their tragic backstories, if they have one.
One last thing.
Verona's situation with her forux causing others to become mindlessly attracted to her is an issue she sort of shares with the female lead of my story. Also similar to Verona, my female lead has a chapter dedicated to her tragic backstory.
