Emotions are in-depth perspectives of living things and how they are feeling, something that adds heart and thought to your story. Although emotion is about strong reactions to things, sometimes it can be difficult to use them in an interesting way. "Alissa got angry." That may be an effective line once, but it loses its touch after its use.
That's why it's a good idea to use different speech, metaphors, and analogies into your book; giving a newly found flow and depth you didn't even know you needed! If you are stuck with this, here are some ideas on how to spruce up your emotional characters:
Happy:
-A big grin
-Bouncy attitude and movement
-Talks clearly and loudly
-A tickle in their heart and the back of their brain
-Hands and palms displayed
-Arms and legs aren't crossed
SYNONYMS-MILD:
Endeared, Joyous, Perky, Cheerful, Hopeful, Merry, Pleasant
SYNONYM-HIGH:
Elated, Delighted, Ecstatic
Sad:
-A lack of motivation
-Messy appearance
-Sunken eyes
-Lazy limbs
-Staring at the ground
-Mumbling
-A loss of interest in topics they commonly enjoy
-Crying / Sniffling
-Overly clingy, or overly standoffish
-Drifting off from others
-The easiest emotion to conceal
SYNONYMS-MILD:
Unhappy, Somber, Cheerless, Dejected, Dismal, Bittersweet, Melancholy, Pity
SYNONYMS-HIGH:
Depressed, Regretful, Sorrowful, Tragic, Distressing, Heartbroken, Mourn, Pitiful, Empty, Desolate
Angry:
-Grinding teeth
-Narrowing eyes
-Yelling / Shouting / Crying out / Screaming
-A burning and primal feeling in your chest
-Heavy / Uneven / Flushed breathing
-Unjustified or justified accusations towards others or themselves
-Jerky and twitchy movements
-Glaring
-Impending / Current Violence
-Stomping off
-Face reddening
-Snapping at people
SYNONYMS-MILD:
Frustrated, Annoyed, Displeasure, Irritation, Resentment, Bitterness, A Slight Temper
SYNONYMS-HIGH:
Enraged, Outraged, Wrath, Malice, Hostility, Ire, Exasperation
Fear:
-Shaking limbs
-Slouching shoulders
-Leaning back and away from threat
-Wide eyes
-Dry throat
-Small and persistent headache
-A tight hold on their lungs and heart
SYNONYM-MILD:
Worried, Stressed, Apprehensive, Concerned, Uneasy, Off-putting
SYNONYM-HIGH:
Anxious, Fearful, Scared, Upset, Trouble, Delirious, Afraid
YOU ARE READING
The Cheat-Sheet for Writers
RandomA simple guidebook with different strategies and ideas you can use to help move your book along if you're having that in-famous "writer's block". A cheat-sheet, if you will!
