Body Language Made Easy or Body Language Tips for a Desperate Writer

C.J. Rockwell · Apr 26, 2008

It's probably one of the biggest chinks in my literary armor. Sometimes I know what they're doing in the "Movie" in my head, but writing their gestures in a way that's not clichéd is the challenge.

Other times, I just blank out on what gesture is needed.

For example, in chapter 2 of my MG novel when my antagonist is talking to my MC about his parent's death, I couldn't think of any gesture that shows grief (Aside from screaming, crying, and violent acts).

I've watched countless movies and TV dramas and watched the actors movements closely, hoping to get ideas for displaying grief. But either it doesn't work for what I'm trying to show, or I end up writing something clichéd that I later go back and cut.

If anyone has any tips or knows any resources/websites on body language, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if you have any body langauge horror stories, feel free to share them.

raegan_1 · Apr 27, 2008

This may not help, but from experience, talking about such things generally causes a person to either hide or curl up (another form of hiding, of course.)

Grievers avoid eye contact or try to cover their eyes (assuming they're crying or tearing up.) They also tend to hold themselves closed more than usual: crossed arms, sitting curled up, chin down.

scope · Apr 27, 2008

As the old adage goes, "show, don't tell."

What you refer to as gestures is a critical part of writing. The way you describe the actions of characters is as important as dialog. Doing so with gusto draws the reader into the story. Not being able to do so means the reader will trouble understanding what's actually going on (the pictures in your mind) and more than likely will get turned off -- no matter how good the dialog.

If you want to be a writer you must be able to use words in order to show the reader what's going on. It;s something you have to work on. I think it comes from reading and reading and reading and observation of daily life. I don't know of any websites where you can get the subjective info you want. You might be able to get some platitudes somewhere, but in reality it has to come from your heart or mind.

Hollan · Apr 27, 2008

For grief, besides the crossing the arms they could tremble too. But it really depends on how your character would react. How do they feel at that moment? How would they react to those feelings? Those are the questions I always ask ^_^

Trish · Apr 28, 2008

When my mother hears bad news, like death, she puts her hands on her cheeks and pulls down the skin below her eyes, showing and exposing the pink inner bottom eye lid, saying, "Oh, NO! NO!"

This makes her look quite scary.

When I hear bad news, like death, I immediately fold my arms and rock forwards and backwards. Saying, "Shit! Shit!"

I hope that helps CJ.

Zoombie · Apr 28, 2008

Find a freind.

Punch them really hard in the chest. Watch their reaction.

That's what I do when I am hit suddenly with greif.

Lavinia · Apr 28, 2008

I think what you may be missing is the subtle nature of grief. Screaming, crying, raging, may be one way to show it. But more likely it is subtle; averting eyes, looking down, looking toward the door (wanting to get out), sitting down, putting sunglasses on, expressing an excuse to leave, flat affect, eyes dulling...things like that. Hope that makes sense. ~Karen

Angela_785 · Apr 30, 2008

CJ, I know just how you feel. A fellow writer and I started an 'Emotion Thesaurus' so we could have an idea bank for when we got stuck trying to show emotion through character actions. A few months ago we put it on our blog for other writers to use as well. Feel free to have a look if you think it will help give you some ideas--the address is in my signature.

slcboston · Apr 30, 2008

Zoombie said:
Find a freind.

Punch them really hard in the chest. Watch their reaction.

That's what I do when I am hit suddenly with greif.

(ps: "i" before "e" and all that...

)

JJ Cooper · Apr 30, 2008

Angela_785 said:
CJ, I know just how you feel. A fellow writer and I started an 'Emotion Thesaurus' so we could have an idea bank for when we got stuck trying to show emotion through character actions. A few months ago we put it on our blog for other writers to use as well. Feel free to have a look if you think it will help give you some ideas--the address is in my signature.

Angela and Becca have done a great job putting the Emotion Thesaurus together. Good information that may get you out of a bind or help with 'showing' rather than telling. I made a comment on their blog under the 'stubborness' post that may help as well.

Also my blog has some info in there that may help out.

JJ

Angela_785 · May 1, 2008

Thanks JJ--I'm glad you're finding it helpful.

Danalynn · May 1, 2008

LOVED the Emotion Thesaurus! That's great stuff!

I liked your blog too, JJ. Very cool.

Thanks to you both for sharing those with us!

:snoopy:

Angela_785 · May 2, 2008

Thanks--glad you liked it. I'd like to start a thread for it here on AW so other writers can use it too, but am worried I'll be accused of trying to get traffic to my blog. Another Thesaurus I'll be starting soon will be for setting elements--sensory descriptors for things like rivers, forests, types of weather, etc. Not pre-built description, but sensory words that will help spark ideas on how to describe, if that makes sense.

Anyhoo, happy writing, everyone!

J Leigh · Jun 18, 2008

re: emotion thesaurus

What happened to the Emotion Thesaurus? Is it gone?

Angela_785 · Jun 18, 2008

No it's still here in my sig--the link wasn't working, but it is now. I'm glad you mentioned it!

Sorry for any confusion!

Gynn · Jun 21, 2008

Angela_785 said:
CJ, I know just how you feel. A fellow writer and I started an 'Emotion Thesaurus' so we could have an idea bank for when we got stuck trying to show emotion through character actions. A few months ago we put it on our blog for other writers to use as well. Feel free to have a look if you think it will help give you some ideas--the address is in my signature.

Holy crap. You guys are my new favorite people! This will be bookmarked.

LeeFlower · Jun 21, 2008

My body language horror story is this: Do not use "cast her eyes to the floor" as a euphemism for "looked down." People will take it literally, and write "eew, what?" on your workshop submission. Then you will feel silly for not having caught it yourself before sending it out. At least that's how it went with me.

brainstrains · Jun 24, 2008

My characters always seem to "blink their eyes". As if readers would assume I meant they were blinking their butt if I hadn't clarified.

Here is another site:

http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/diction1.htm

Angela_785 · Jun 24, 2008

Thanks for that link, Brainstrains!

MsJudy · Jun 24, 2008

I've been debating whether to post this. I think I'm going to sound a bit...pompous, maybe....

But I question the value of a list of body language possibilities, as opposed to a writer's own careful observation of the humans around her. Choosing just the right detail is so important to revealing the character. You can't substitute one gesture for another just because you've already used it, and still expect your character seem real and true.

I grew up in a very stoic family, where emotions were seldom demonstrated. Body language was subtle. Except for me. I spent a lot of time being sent to my room until I "got myself under control," which pretty much didn't happen.

Then my father died when I was 13, and my mother cried for days on end. Another friend or relative would walk in the room, and the tears would start again.

It was the one thing above all others that convinced me our lives would never, ever be the same again.

As writers, we should always be searching for that kind of truth that will show what in inside our characters' hearts. If the list helps spark your creativity, then that's great, but I still think it's no substitute for the genuine research.

Angela_785 · Jun 24, 2008

I agree 100%. Each action should be unique & revelant to the character. The whole point of our Emotion Thesaurus is to spark ideas by offering a starting point, not a way to cut and paste cookie-cutter action descriptions. We address this in our explanation of the Emotion Thesaurus.

Valona · Jun 24, 2008

And then, what do you do when the grieving person is alone and you're trying to portray his grief? It has to be shown through his actions. He stares out the window not seeing, then takes a drag of his cigarette, or lifts his bottle of wine, etc. Just a couple of ideas to think about.

Body Language Made Easy or Body Language Tips for a Desperate Writer

C.J. Rockwell

Not so new, really

raegan_1

Funny, motivated, eccentric.

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Hollan

Stage name = Chainsaw Sally

Trish

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Lavinia

Angela_785

slcboston

Pasture-ized

JJ Cooper

.

Angela_785

Danalynn

NEVER give up!!!!

Angela_785

J Leigh

Angela_785

Gynn

Wandering worlds

LeeFlower

Lurker Extraordinaire

brainstrains

4-8-8-4

Angela_785

MsJudy

Angela_785

Valona