Tags
back, body parts, Emotional Beats, emotions, feelings, Head, Knees, nods, Shoulders, Writing
Back in September, I published Emotional Beats: How to Easily Convert your Writing into Palpable Feelings. As promised, I will be posting the book on my blog. So, here is the next installment, featuring Part 2 of the book: Body Parts.
Hands and legs
An easy way to show what someone is thinking is through their feet: whatever they’re pointing at, that’s where their attention lies. Other ways to use hands and legs in your beats include:
- Tenting his short fingers…
- With a flourish, she brandished a letter dramatically.
- He brushed a hand under his nose like a child with a cold.
- His hand jutted out over the edge of the bed.
- He lifted his hands.
- He spread his hands.
- He leaned on one elbow.
Nods, head, and back
How about using our characters’ entire head to illustrate a point?
- He let his forehead touch the window.
- He got a crick in his neck looking up at her.
- He shook his head as if clearing cobwebs from his mind.
- She ducked.
- He shook his head.
- His head wagged back and forth.
- Her head twisted left and right atop her shoulder.
- Her head nodded like it rested on a rusty spring.
- His head spun like a top.
- His head lay at a right angle, making him look lopsided, like something inside had come loose.
- She tipped her head in his direction.
- His head wagged side to side, in time with the music.
- Her head bobbed a nervous nod, putting her balance in disarray.
- Her head dipped a quick nod.
- His head did a quick bobble.
- He tossed a nod toward the bushes and narrowed his lazy gaze against hers.
- Her nod tipped real subtle.
- Her nod fell heavy, final.
Next week: Part 3. View all posts on the subject, or buy the book on Amazon – free on KU!
[tweetthis]Emotional Beats: Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes[/tweetthis]
robbiesinspiration said:
Some great ideas, Nicholas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! Thank you, Robbie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
kimwrtr said:
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kate McClelland said:
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don Massenzio said:
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Here is a great post fro Nicholas Rossis on the topic of using body movements to convey emotions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
rijanjks said:
Always great tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks 😀
LikeLike
lovessiamese said:
Reblogged this on TheKingsKidChronicles and commented:
Valuable information. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person