Writing Tips

Body Language Cheat Sheet

TW: Mentions of Blood! 

"She smiled, looking down at the portrait of her sister. Suddenly, she couldn't hold back the tears of the thought of her sister being gone."

I know, I know, I know. This sentence wasn't bad but it could definitely be better. When I started to write, I didn't really add to much details into things like body language. Needless to say, that first draft I wrote with little to no body language sucked. However, over the years I've learned a thing or two about writing body language. 

Some Ideas:

Happy: smiling, laughing, loose movements, humming, open body language, light tone, relaxed muscles, upright posture, and arms swinging

"Lily hummed her mother's favorite song that she used to sing to Lily every night before bed. She was like her mom in many ways. Always smiling, laughing, and a joy to be around!"

Sadness: droopy eyelids, hanging head, sunken posture, trembling lower lids, flat tone, tears, difficulty swallowing, and eyes on the ground

"Kai couldn't help but keep his eyes on the ground. He couldn't look at his cousin in the face. His head hung low, trying to not show his cousin the tears falling from his droopy eyes."

Fear: licking lips, can't sit still, cold sweat, pale, avoids eye contact, stuttering, bites lips, fast breathing, clammy hands, darting eyes.

"Sarah's face turned pale as she saw the blood drip from her fingertips. She couldn't help but breathe faster and faster until it seemed like she could never catch it."

Anger: clenched fists, intense eye contact, furrowed eyebrows, eye rolling, arms crossed, hands on hips, red face or neck, and sweating a lot.

"Anna's eyebrows furrowed. She narrowed her eyes on Devin, the person who she thought was her best friend. She clenched her fists, sweat dripping down the side of her face." 

I hope this helps you as much as it helped me!

~Dearest