Why do we cry over characters who don’t exist?

Why do we cry over characters who don’t exist?

Have you ever experienced someone looking at you strangely when you tell them how you feel during or after reading a book? And especially when it’s a fantasy book? Because that can’t be real, right? “It’s just a book, it’s not real.”

But it is real, because we feel it. Our feelings make it real, and that is all we need.

When we start reading a book, we slowly find ourselves entering that world. We know we are reading, but our brains process the events, and our bodies strengthen the experience through emotions.

That is why I read. That is why I believe we read. And the dragon that happens to fly through the sky? Well, that only makes it even more fun.

The reason I started writing fantasy with a focus on mental health is because of feelings. The feelings we begin to experience while reading strengthen the feelings we already carry with us when we dive into a book.

Because of that, we don’t feel alone. Because of that, we connect even more with the characters. And when we cry, we cry for the character, and secretly, a little bit for ourselves too...

Either way, I truly believe that if you feel it, it is real. Your feelings make it real, and even if there are people who disagree with you, your brain believes you.

I believe you.