For Writers - Feeling Your Way Through Emotions

I'm not going to tell you to show, don't tell. You already know that following that bit of advice more often than not will help your writing come alive and engage your reader on a more intimate level.

It isn't easy. You need to think more, find the right visible detail, and figure out how to translate it to the page.

I read something the other day that really got my attention. One way to make your reader sit up and take note is to have your POV character experience an unexpected emotion. A surprise. Obviously, what that helps do is add depth and fullness to the person your reader is getting to know.

One more thing: imagine that both you and your character are sporting a tight piece of duct tape over your mouths. You cannot tell what that emotion is. Instead, your character must express it visually.

And now I have a great resource for you. Of course you can get this book anywhere, but here's the Amazon link for The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is a fabulous, well-organized reference tool. The Bookshelf Muse is a connected blog and one you should consider subscribing too.

A random selection from the book:

NERVOUSNESS

DEFINITION: the state of feeling unsettled and being easily agitated

PHYSICAL SIGNALS: 
…Rapid blinking
Rubbing the back of the neck
…Clumisiness
(and many more)

INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
…Nausea
…Dry mouth
(and many more)

MENTAL RESPONSES:
The desire to flee
…Overreacting to noise
(and many more)

CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG-TERM NERVOUSNESS:
Vomiting
…Irritability
(and many more)

MAY ESCALATE TO: (emotions and reference pages are listed)

CUES OF SUPPRESSED NERVOUSNESS:
A pasted on smile
…Not meeting anyone's gaze

WRITER'S TIP: Body movement and external reactions alone will not create an emotional experience for the reader. Pairing action with a light use of internal sensations and/or thoughts creates a depper emotional pull.


Do you have a resource you like for showing emotions? Do you have a resource for developing an emotional experience for your readers?



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