I find one of the most talked about topics in writing is “show don’t tell”. It doesn’t seem to matter how much I try not to I still do, and I also find myself repeating words or not describing actions well.
I stumbled on this list of body language for us to keep near us while writing.
he lowered his head
she hung her head
he ducked
she bowed her head
he covered his eyes with a hand
she pressed her hands to her cheeks
she raised her chin
he lifted his chin
her hands squeezed into fists
his hands tightened into fists
she clenched her fists
she balled her fists
he unclenched his fists
her arms remained at her sides
he shrugged
she gave a half shrug
he lifted his shoulder in a half shrug
she gave a dismissive wave of her hand
she raised a hand in greeting
he waved
she held up her hands
he lifted his hands
she held up her palms
he threw his hands in the air
she brushed her palms together
he rubbed his hands together
she made a steeple of her fingers
he spread his hands
she gesticulated
he waved his hands
she clapped her hands
he snapped his fingers
she held up a finger
he pointed
she gestured with a thumb
he jerked his thumb toward…
she extended her middle finger toward him
he gave her the finger
she gave him the thumbs up
she put her hands on her hips
she shoved her hands in her pockets
he jammed his hands in his front pockets
she rested a hand on her hip
she jutted out her hip
she folded her arms
he crossed his arms over his chest
she hugged herself
he wrapped his arms around himself
she rocked back and forth
she spread her arms wide
he held out his arms
she held out her hand
he extended a hand
he shook his head
she nodded
he bobbed his head
she tilted her head
he cocked his head
she inclined her head
he jerked her head in the direction of…
she turned her face away
he looked away
his breaths quickened
she panted
she was breathing hard
his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths
she took in a deep breath
he drew in a long breath
she took in a sharp breath
he gasped
she held her breath
he let out a harsh breath
she exhaled
he blew out his cheeks
she huffed
he sighed
she snorted
she laughed
he giggled
she guffawed
he chuckled
she gave a bitter laugh
he gave mirthless laugh
she tittered
he cackled
she rubbed her shoulder
he kneaded his shoulder
he rolled his shoulders
she tensed her shoulders
he massaged the back of his neck
she rubbed her temples
she rubbed her hands on her thighs
she ran her hand through her hair
he threaded a hand through his hair
he raked his fingers through his hair
he shoved his hair back away from his face
she toyed with a lock of hair
she played with her hair
she twirled her hair
she wrapped a curl around her finger
she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear
she undid her ponytail and shook out her hair
she tossed her hair
he buried his hands in his hair
he stroked his beard
he scratched his beard
she tugged at her earlobe
he bit a nail
she chewed on a cuticle
she picked at her nails
she inspected her fingernails
he plucked at the cuff of his shirt
she picked a piece of lint from her sleeve
he adjusted the lapels of his jacket
she fiddled with her earring / bracelet
he twisted the wedding ring on his finger
she played with her cell phone
he tugged at his shirt collar
he adjusted his tie
she smoothed down her skirt
she scratched her nose
he scratched his head
he rubbed his forehead
she rubbed her eyes
she pinched the bridge of her nose
he held his nose
she slapped her forehead
he smacked his forehead
he facepalmed
he slapped a hand over her mouth
she covered her mouth with her hand
she pressed her fingers to her lips
he held his finger up to his lips
he rubbed his chin
she pressed a hand to her throat
he clutched his chest
he leaned against the wall
she bounced on her toes
she jumped up and down
he tapped his foot
she stomped her foot
she folded her hands in her lap
she drummed her fingers on the table
he tapped his fingers on the table
he slammed his hand on the table
she pounded her fist on the table
she set her palms down flat on the table
he rested his hands on the table
she set her hands on the table, palms up
he leaned back in his chair
she hooked her feet around the chair legs
he gripped the arm of the chair
she put her hands behind her head
he put his feet on the desk
he fidgeted
she jiggled her foot
he swung his leg
she crossed her legs
he uncrossed his legs
she crossed her ankles in front of her
she stretched out her legs in front of her
he sprawled out
he put his feet on the desk
she cringed
he shuddered
she flinched
he shivered
she trembled
his body shook
she cowered
he shrank from…
she huddled in the corner
he pulled away
she jerked away
he turned away
she jolted upright
he stiffened
she straightened
he tensed
he jumped
she jumped to her feet
he stood up
she rose from her seat
she relaxed
he hunched
she slouched
her shoulders sagged
his shoulders slumped
she wilted
he went limp
he rolled his shoulders
she squared her shoulders
she clasped her hands behind her back
he puffed out his chest
she thrust out her chest
he propped his chin on his hand
she rested her chin on her palm
he yawned
she stretched
he turned around
she whirled around
he pivoted
she reeled
she stepped away
she drew nearer
he leaned closer
she inched forward
he loomed closer
he paced
she shifted from one foot to the other
he swayed on his feet
she dragged her feet
she pumped a fist
he thrust his fists in the air
she punched the air
Keep writing!
Until Next Time…
Fantastic list. You’re so right, after you edit a couple ten thousand words you notice the repetition that makes all your other efforts read as something less imaginative. Thank you. 😊
Reblogged this on When Angels Fly.
Thank you!
Welcome!
Reblogged this on Lonely Power Poles and commented:
Great list reads, it kinda reads like an obscure long verse of poetry in itself 😀
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Fiction by Rachael Ritchey and commented:
I love lists like this! 😀
Thank you. 🙂
You are very welcome. 🙂 Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
Wow, this is the ultimate list! I get sick of just facial expression and like to switch things up a little, so this will help a lot.
Reblogged this on Writer's Zen Blog and commented:
Here’s an excellent post. Check out Jen’s Thoughts for more informative posts.
Thank you, Trisha! Sorry I saw this so late too. I always appreciate reblogs and sharing!
It was a great post! Thank you for it.
Reblogged this on Flash of Romance.
You’re awesome, J.C.!
Great list. I sometimes forget just to be direct and to the point in my writing. Good luck with yours.
Reblogged this on momentarylapseofsanity.
Reblogged this on AngieTrafford and commented:
Handy little list.
Thank you for the reblog!
Hi, I was unable to reblog in the normal wy, so I got it a different way and copied it onto my own blog, giving you the credit.
Evelyn
Thank you!
Wanted to reblog this on my own Blog but could not see a reblog button. Never mind, Rome was not built in a day!
Evelyn
Reblogged this on Writing and Music and commented:
These are great suggestions to have variety in your writing and expressions.
Thank you!😊
[…] another helpful post for writers on Nicholas Rossis’ blog Jen’s Thoughts. I found it on Nicholas’ blog, but it was reblogged, and I got confused, sorry. […]
Reblogged this on Books and More.
Thank you for stopping by and the reblog 🙂
i’m sorry, what’s the purpose of this list?
For anyone who wants to use it in their writing. Thanks for stopping by.
yes, to use, but what is it we’re having trouble with that this list will help?
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
This is great, Jen, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the reblog!
[…] Writing and Body Language. Check out this great post by Georgina and reposted from Jen’s Thoughts, https://jenowenby.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/writing-and-body-language/ […]
Great! Eugenia Renskoff
Reblogged this on Putting my Feet in the Dirt and commented:
This is a great help for all of us who love to write! Please check out Jens page. She has great information on writing!
Thank you!
Such a great list! Thanks for posting!
Outstanding. 🙂
Excellent list! Sharing widely.
Thanks Sue!
Did you miss my post on how to add the StumbleUpon button to your site and why you should use it? This post is perfect to drive traffic to your site. I’ll manually add this to “my likes” so you can see its power, but here’s the post if you want to add the button: http://bit.ly/1FgtIX0
Thanks Sue, I’ll take a look 🙂
I received this list when Nicholas C. Rossis re-blogged it. I have tried to incorporate more visuals of how people act and react, but as with most, there is still much to be done.
Thanks for posting these helpful alternatives!
— John
Thank you for this great resource. I reblogged it, too, but mistakenly attributed it to Nicholas Rossi, who reblogged it, too, but I got confused, sorry. Anyway, great resource, especially for non-native writers. I often struggle with getting a phrase right, and this is very helpful.
Thank you for the reblog, and thank you for stopping by 🙂
And of course it’s Nicholas Rossis, not Rossi. I’ such a klutz…
🙂
Great list. Sometimes I get stuck for an action word. This will help tremendously. Came from Smorgasbord -Variety is the spice of life.
Melinda
I love cheat sheets! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
Cheat sheets are the best! 😉
Reblogged this on Flights of Fancy and commented:
Here’s another helpful post for writers on Nicholas Rossi’s blog. Show, don’t tell, here’s how.
Reblogged this on Hedgehog Times and commented:
Show don’t tell – here’s HOW!!!
Thank you 😊
You are very welcome! People deserve to SEE this! 🙂
Reblogged this on wwannwrites and commented:
Thanks to the person who compiled this list of actions, I will become a better fiction writer.
Thank you 😊
Reblogged this on Facets of a Muse and commented:
What a great list! This is something to keep accessible, especially during revisions when you’re trying to keep the dialog scenes moving. Thanks, Jen!
Thank you 😊
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Extremely useful master list of Body language to keep handy when writing courtesy of Jennifer Owenby – excellent
Thank you😊
Thank you! 😊
Reblogged this on Nicholas C. Rossis and commented:
I don’t often reblog, but when I stumbled across this great resource of body language, I just had to share. I keep something similar in a word doc, which I always have open when writing. I promise to share, as soon as I have organized it a bit better 🙂
This is an awesome resource! I have something similar in a word doc, which I always have open when writing. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve heard that phrase before, show don’t tell! I have a similar writing blog if you ever want to stop by. http://tracykauffman.wordpress.com. My latest post is called: Which is Better Words or Pictures. You might find it interesting.
Also, I offer help with writing content, and book marketing, if you are interested. http://writingcoach.wix.com/fullspeedahead
Reblogged this on Sleepy Book Dragon and commented:
Definitely worth bookmarking for when you get stuck.
Thank you for visiting and the reblog! Have a great day 🙂
Thank you! And apologies for the late reply.
Reblogged this on The Writing Chimp and commented:
Love these articles 🙂 can never get too many tips on great writing! Awesome list 🙂
I agree! Thanks for stopping by.
Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Great list! Reblogged on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline
Thanks for stopping by and the reblog!
Reblogged this on daydreaming in words and commented:
A handy list for writers Via Jen Owenby 🙂
Thank you for visiting and the reblog!
Reblogged this on One Writer's Journey by Chris Owens and commented:
An awesome list of gestures to use for dialogue beats, etc.
Thank you for the reblog and visiting my blog. Have a great day!
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Courtesy of Author Jen Owenby 😀
What a long list! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, glad you liked it. 🙂
Wow ! That’s some list ! *falling off the balcony* 😉 ❤
LOL, you’re awesome Ralph 🙂
So are you Jen 😀 ❤
This is great! Thanks so much for sharing!
Y brain must be fogged. Is this a list for writers to use or for writers to avoid?
Evelyn
But sometimes, you just have to ….
Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes.
what a terrific find. Thanks so much for sharing. Love it!