Is there a guide to writing emotions, facial expressions, and body language?

Steven Lake · 01-01-2010, 10:32 AM

One of the biggest things I struggle at writing properly deals with how the characters portray how they're thinking. IE, emotions, facial expressions, and body language. I do well enough to get the point across, but I feel like my ability to truly describe the expressions and other important characteristics of the characters is far too limited. If someone had a guide, maybe even just a word list for describing these would be hugely helpful. I'm asking this because I'm always looking for a way to expand my writing and improve it, which I know you guys always appreciate.

Elfwreck · 01-01-2010, 11:48 AM

The Center for Nonverbal Studies has a Nonverbal Dictionary.

It's not a writing guide, but it seems like it could be a useful resource for writing.

Moejoe · 01-03-2010, 01:35 PM

This book was recommended to me many years ago (I never bought it so can't vouch). It's not necessarily for fiction writers but I've heard it's better than most of the fiction writer specialized books.

http://www.garyfaigin.com/book.html

Enraptured · 01-03-2010, 02:35 PM

There's an "emotion thesaurus," with lists of ways characters can express different emotions, here: http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/

dadioflex · 01-04-2010, 08:06 AM

Edit.

khalleron · 01-04-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enraptured

There's an "emotion thesaurus," with lists of ways characters can express different emotions, here: http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/

Oh, very good! Thank you!

J. Dean · 01-05-2010, 10:42 AM

The other thing to do is read authors who capture emotions well and borrow off them. I constantly reference Stephen King and Ray Bradbury because they do this well.

Joebill · 01-07-2010, 11:52 PM

While I only write the occasional poem, I find it almost impossible for me to comprehend body language. So info on the subject would be great.

I did a quick look at the blog mentioend and find it interesting. Thanks.

01-01-2010, 10:32 AM	#1
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Is there a guide to writing emotions, facial expressions, and body language? One of the biggest things I struggle at writing properly deals with how the characters portray how they're thinking. IE, emotions, facial expressions, and body language. I do well enough to get the point across, but I feel like my ability to truly describe the expressions and other important characteristics of the characters is far too limited. If someone had a guide, maybe even just a word list for describing these would be hugely helpful. I'm asking this because I'm always looking for a way to expand my writing and improve it, which I know you guys always appreciate.

01-04-2010, 08:06 AM	#5
dadioflex Dyslexic Count Posts: 526 Karma: 5041991 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Palm TX, Advent Vega, iPad, iPod Touch, Kindle	Edit. Last edited by dadioflex; 12-15-2010 at 07:45 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is Calibre's user guide translated to any other language?	Logseman	Calibre	1	10-10-2010 01:32 PM
60-wild-animal-emotions	happy_terd	Lounge	5	07-09-2010 12:37 PM
Five Free Ebooks on Body Language	Lukek5	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	4	04-09-2010 07:04 AM
Emotions and writing	poshm	Writers' Corner	11	11-19-2009 07:14 PM
[Librie-Dev] Sony Librie Language hack (step-by-step guide)	Colin Dunstan	Legacy E-Book Devices	0	06-22-2005 09:50 AM

01-01-2010, 11:48 AM	#2
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,187 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	The Center for Nonverbal Studies has a Nonverbal Dictionary. It's not a writing guide, but it seems like it could be a useful resource for writing.

01-03-2010, 01:35 PM	#3
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	This book was recommended to me many years ago (I never bought it so can't vouch). It's not necessarily for fiction writers but I've heard it's better than most of the fiction writer specialized books. http://www.garyfaigin.com/book.html

01-03-2010, 02:35 PM	#4
Enraptured Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 262 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Nook Touch	There's an "emotion thesaurus," with lists of ways characters can express different emotions, here: http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/

01-05-2010, 10:42 AM	#7
J. Dean Author: Clade Josso Posts: 80 Karma: 500474 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Michigan Device: none	The other thing to do is read authors who capture emotions well and borrow off them. I constantly reference Stephen King and Ray Bradbury because they do this well.

01-07-2010, 11:52 PM	#8
Joebill Fanatic Posts: 517 Karma: 459442 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alpha Centauri's Library of Alexandria Device: Pandigital Novel	While I only write the occasional poem, I find it almost impossible for me to comprehend body language. So info on the subject would be great. I did a quick look at the blog mentioend and find it interesting. Thanks.