Body Language

I liiiiiiiiive......

Ok, so there are a gazillion different things to remember when you're writing, right? Character development, world building, scene creating, using all five senses, using proper grammar, making actions believable, plot development, on and on and on... As if that's not enough, I want to talk about another one.

But never fear, I come with a handy dandy reference!

My husband was working browsing the internet at work today and discovered a page about body language. It's amazing how little subtleties in your writing can make such a difference, and how your characters act around each other can portray so much without them speaking a single word!

I'll link you to the page on submissive body language, but there are other links at the bottom for emotions, aggressive body language, and floppy language. (I haven't read up on floppy language yet, so you'll have to investigate that on your own. I am the writer who also has a small child that crawls up my leg quite frequently, so I don't always remember to finish what I start. I could read it now, but I'm sick and I should be sleeping. We all procrastinate. Don't judge. Tangent. Tangent tangent tangent tangent.....)

I'm super excited about this resource because it is simple. Basic. Easy. Why get complicated with fine details when there are so many other things to remember in your writing?? Exactly. Keep it simple. I'm pretty sure there is such a thing as over-writing and turning away readers that just want to enjoy a great story. Body language can help create it.

"Hey, Alice!" called Sarah.
Alice turned to see a bright-eyed blonde girl approaching, one arm waving in the air. As Sarah drew closer, Alice folded her arms and hunched over the books she carried.
"How are you?" Sarah asked. "I haven't seen you in forever."

Versus:

"Hey, Alice!" called Sarah.
Alice turned to see a bright-eyed blonde girl approaching, one arm waving in the air. As Sarah drew closer, Alice straightened and tucked the books she carried under one arm.
"How are you?" Sarah asked. "I haven't seen you in forever."

Exactly.

Body language. Simple. Easy. Less cliche than:

"Hey, Alice!" called Sarah.
Alice turned to see a bright-eyed blonde girl approaching, one arm waving in the air. As Sarah drew closer, a grin spread across Alice's face.
"How are you?" Sarah asked. "I haven't seen you in forever."

Ok, maybe the grin thing isn't as cliche. You're certainly allowed to show emotion along with body language. That would take the second example further. Alice straightens and tucks her books under her arm. I guess out of context one could see a couple things, like maybe Alice is straightening up and getting ready for a fight with a frenemy. Maybe Alice is straightening up because her day was pretty crappy and it's nice to see a friend, an ally. But the body language is a good precursor. It readies the reader for different reactions.

I don't even know if I'm making sense. This happens a lot. Oh well.

Body language! Awesome resource! I shouldn't let my sick brain write blog posts. Write!