Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Empathetic
Freeman wants readers to root for his furry hero, so he starts tugging on readers' heartstrings right off the bat:
Day after day, he waited with all the other animals and dolls for somebody to come along and take him home. The store was always filled with shoppers buying all sorts of things, but no one ever seemed to want a small bear in green overalls.
Cue the Sarah McLachlan music because, with two simple sentences, Freeman sets the tone for the entire story. Corduroy's hijinks in searching for his missing button may make up more of the plot, but his goal is clear: all he wants is a home, and readers are there to cheer him on along the way.