I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character I cleave the character in half on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.
I'll never forget my 24th birthday when my tooth got punched out. And for a second I was like it would be really hilarious if I sold it on eBay. But I can't that's just too creepy. I don't think I can go there.
