Workshop ‘The Joy of Literature’ focused on the emotional connection between reader and story character was held.

According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Arak, the workshop, attended by Alireza Mahdavi Hazaveh, a writer and instructor of fictional literature, discussed and examined the topic of “The Reader’s Relationship with the Main Character of the Story.”

Mahdavi Hazaveh stated in this session: “Readers see a reflection of their own lives, experiences, and struggles in story characters, and this creates an emotional and intellectual connection between the audience and the character.”

He added: “This emotional bond is an important factor in the audience’s engagement with the story’s progression and mental involvement with the character’s destiny.”

Mahdavi Hazaveh, referring to the author’s role in creating believable characters, stated: “An author must be able to connect with their characters, and even when they make their lives difficult, still hope that the characters will achieve their goals.”

He emphasized: “Successful characterization is the main driving force of a story, and the more realistic the characters are, the more readers will place themselves in their situation.”

In another part of this workshop, topics such as the influence of character background on the protagonist’s transformation, how to create motivation and conflict in narrative, and the role of imagination in deepening characters were also discussed, and participants engaged in a question-and-answer session with the instructor.

The “Joy of Literature” workshop series is designed and implemented with the aim of enhancing literary awareness and nurturing storytelling talents among enthusiasts.