forum Describing emotions

Started July 04, 2021 by Tati

tune

I'm having trouble describing emotions in writing. Any tips or examples?

Alright. I think I can help you out a little here. One of the mistakes a writer can make and I am guilty beyond measure, if showing emotions rather than telling emotions. For example:
"She was so angry at him for lying to her."
That sentence is boring and slow, and it doesn't get the point across. Show it instead. Show that she's angry.
"She gritted her teeth and balled her fists. She couldn't believe he lied to her."
This shows that she's angry without actually saying it. It gives the reader a chance to emphasize with character. It gives them the chance to understand and connect to what the character is going through. Using the showing not telling provides emotion for your reader so that you don't have to work so hard! Happy writing! If you have more questions, I'll be more than happy to help!

Thanks!

No problem!

No problem!

Do you have any idea of a website that has a bank of adjectives and adverbs for speech? I also tend to struggle finding the right word to describe speech. Apart from yell or whisper that is.

No problem!

Do you have any idea of a website that has a bank of adjectives and adverbs for speech? I also tend to struggle finding the right word to describe speech. Apart from yell or whisper that is.

Pinterest is loaded with things like that! I have a board that you can follow if you'd like!
https://pin.it/1RQ4kDu
A lot of it is prompts, but I put a bunch of info on it. Feel free to look at it!

Could you point me to an example of a good fight scene in a book? I need one in mine and am struggling to create it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-action-scene&ved=2ahUKEwjAmLDassrxAhXUmGoFHTR8DesQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2j32TUUrhw8icPFRi1mqPJ
Here's a masterclass article I use!

Describing emotions… honestly? describe it unexpectedly. So instead of saying "His anger blinded her, putting him into a frenzy of rage." Say something like "His rage screamed hysterically at him, slamming him into a prison and turning into a tyrant over his own body." That's not great, but I hope you get what I mean. Write it in a way that keeps readers on their toes.

Describing emotions… honestly? describe it unexpectedly. So instead of saying "His anger blinded her, putting him into a frenzy of rage." Say something like "His rage screamed hysterically at him, slamming him into a prison and turning into a tyrant over his own body." That's not great, but I hope you get what I mean. Write it in a way that keeps readers on their toes.

Exactly! That's showing not telling in its best form! That was wonderfully written! 12/10 would read again

Describing emotions… honestly? describe it unexpectedly. So instead of saying "His anger blinded her, putting him into a frenzy of rage." Say something like "His rage screamed hysterically at him, slamming him into a prison and turning into a tyrant over his own body." That's not great, but I hope you get what I mean. Write it in a way that keeps readers on their toes.

Exactly! That's showing not telling in its best form! That was wonderfully written! 12/10 would read again

yep! thank you very much!

Sometimes the best way to write stuf like this is to look at yourself. For example when I feel like I'm gong to cry in argument, I feel my chest and throat get tighter. So an example could be: "She felt the barbed wire wrapped around her throat, constricting any insults she planned on throwing back at him.