Heads nodding and shaking

johnzakour · Feb 5, 2009

I've noticed that people in my books tend to shake and nod their heads yes and no a lot.

Are there other ways of expressing this (writing this) besides saying "he / she shook his / her head yes" or "s/he nodded yes"?

After like eight books you would think I would have this down by now but I don't.

Thanks.

The Lonely One · Feb 5, 2009

Good question.

I shrug. "I always go for the clearest image." I nod. "Yes, the clearest image. I'm going to write that down."

You know, just don't use that horrible pronoun construction.

Shadow_Ferret · Feb 5, 2009

Wow. If John has to ask, I feel a whole lot better about myself as a writer.

I don't know. Maybe stop them from shaking so much and just verbalize the yes and no?

And I thought you shook your head no and nodded your head yes.

MsK · Feb 5, 2009

*shaking her head*
My people nod and shake their head along with their verbal answers. *shrugs*

Maryn · Feb 5, 2009

My characters are like freakin' marionettes, with their nods and shrugs and all. Often I put words in their mouths just to make them hold still for a moment.

"Whatever." = shrug

"Yeah." = nod

Maryn, whose poor characters need the rest

Telstar · Feb 5, 2009

Mines nod more than shaking

Jake Barnes · Feb 5, 2009

You can describe the shrug or nod in some way. He shrugged like he'd heard it all before. He nodded foolishly in agreement. Etc.

Stunted · Feb 5, 2009

I always wish that I could have my characters say, "uh-uh-uh" (You know, the "I don't know" noise)

blacbird · Feb 5, 2009

johnzakour said:
Are there other ways of expressing this (writing this) besides saying "he / she shook his / her head yes" or "s/he nodded yes"?

Have 'em say, "Yes."

Second, nodding implies both head movement and affirmative meaning, so you're redundant when you say "She nodded her head yes." To me, shaking the head implies negation, so "She shook her head yes" doesn't make sense.

caw

MetalDog · Feb 5, 2009

Stunted said:
I always wish that I could have my characters say, "uh-uh-uh" (You know, the "I don't know" noise)

If anyone figures out how to write that noise down so it comes across, I will send them a shiny new pound.

Devil Ledbetter · Feb 5, 2009

johnzakour said:
I've noticed that people in my books tend to shake and nod their heads yes and no a lot.

Are there other ways of expressing this (writing this) besides saying "he / she shook his / her head yes" or "s/he nodded yes"?

After like eight books you would think I would have this down by now but I don't.

Thanks.

Does the reply require a redundant gesture? How about a less stock gesture? Or one that shows ambivalence?

Characters who nod and shake their heads too often will start to seem like bobbleheads.

Just sayin'.

dawinsor · Feb 5, 2009

MetalDog said:
If anyone figures out how to write that noise down so it comes across, I will send them a shiny new pound.

Yeah, and also that sort of half snort people do. There are no good words for these noises.

Sirion · Feb 5, 2009

They are in novels a lot, because people do indeed nod and shake their head in real life! Very often in fact...even if it's only a slight nod.

It's like walking, a book is going to be full of it.

It can be toned down, but removing it altogether would be unrealistic.

FennelGiraffe · Feb 5, 2009

What about other body language? When someone leans back and crosses their arms, that's supposed to be a sign of disagreement/rejection. Whereas leaning forward and opening the arms shows agreement/acceptance.

I think you still have to use nodding and head shaking when you need it to be very clear, but surely some of the time it can be more subtle.

I used to have a link to a list of body language, but it seems to be invalid now.

ChaosTitan · Feb 5, 2009

Head shaking/nodding is something that always sets off my Editor Alarm. Even when I'm writing the action, I make sure it's necessary to the moment and any accompanying dialogue. If not, I find a different way to write it.

Perle_Rare · Feb 5, 2009

Head nodding and shaking can be a cultural thing. Someone once told me that in Bulgaria, nodding means "no" and shaking the head means "yes".

I haven't yet had the chance to visit Bulgaria to verify whether this is true or just an urban legend.

LaceWing · Feb 5, 2009

I don't recall in RL seeing a lot of either, except in one-on-one conversation and always accompanied by dialog. Also, it's only really noticeable to me if someone shakes their head as if to say "no" when their speech seems to say "yes."

I prefer the dialog to do the work. (Or eyebrows. I have a thing for eyebrows.) An exception would be a minor character who signals in an exaggerated way to someone else with the head nods and shakes as commentary on another character's words.

johnzakour · Feb 5, 2009

Perle_Rare said:
Head nodding and shaking can be a cultural thing. Someone once told me that in Bulgaria, nodding means "no" and shaking the head means "yes".

I haven't yet had the chance to visit Bulgaria to verify whether this is true or just an urban legend.

Yeah I heard that was true. It had something to do with some people (I forget who) holding knives being held under Bulgarian's throats and asking them a question that they wanted to nod "yes" to but couldn't because if they did the knife would cut their throat. So they somehow decided that nodding would mean "no". I learned this from "Wild World of Sports."

johnzakour · Feb 5, 2009

Thanks for all the help. I will put in a few shrugs.

Gillhoughly · Feb 5, 2009

I've a terrible mental picture of all these novels in the stores with little bobble heads coming out of them like something from Night of the Living Dead and am now going to do a global search in my WIP to eliminate nods and shakes before...before..be....

OMG they found me!!!

Kazel · Feb 5, 2009

Stunted said:
I always wish that I could have my characters say, "uh-uh-uh" (You know, the "I don't know" noise)

When I am instant messaging I use iono to represent that noise, so it's possible. No guarantees that its good writing though ;-P

Straka · Feb 5, 2009

I got rid of the problem by having all my characters have no necks!

Phoebe H · Feb 5, 2009

Just remember: Men nod. Women smile.

blacbird · Feb 6, 2009

Phoebe H said:
JMen nod. Women smile.

None of the ones I know. Usually they . . . oh, never mind.

caw

Hillgate · Feb 6, 2009

johnzakour said:
I've noticed that people in my books tend to shake and nod their heads yes and no a lot.
.

Are they on medication?

Heads nodding and shaking

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Court Jester

I Tried

I create people

Ich heiße Superphantastisch!

Woof!

Come on you stranger, you legend,

Dorothy A. Winsor

practical experience, FTW

It's green they say

Around

Dragon rider

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Grumpy writer and editor

Bored Fanatic

On location