Displaying items by tag: empathy

I have always been an avid reader. The books that captured most of my attention were the ones where the characters experienced problems when something or someone got in the way of their goal. I loved it when the characters defeat whatever monstrosity that tried deterring them from their desires. The problems were frustrating, but I kept reading to see how the characters would overcome them. Most of us enjoy reading a good story, especially the kind where despite all odds, somehow our protagonist comes out relatively unscathed. These were the best stories because the reader was on the same side as the characters, rooting for them every step of the way. The reader felt they had as much stake in the outcome as the people on the page. 

Do you remember when you were in school there was always that quiet kid in class who barely spoke but always seemed to excel on tests and projects? They normally kept to themselves and had few friends, yet aced quizzes and tests. Maybe they were called weird or shy. They were the ones that the popular kids didn’t associate with. I remember those kids in school, mostly because that shy kid who barely spoke was me. Maybe you can relate.