As I rewrote chapter 1 of my novel, all seemed well. My character’s voice comes through strong and I’d built up the tension. But as I worked through following chapters, I found trouble.
Every time he got in a tight situation, my main character chewed on his lip. Every. Time. When he was frustrated, he’d heave a great sigh. By the climax, he’d be lighted-headed and lipless unless I did something about it.
Fortunately, writing partners Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi have created the
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression for times just like this. The listing of 75 emotions ranges from adoration and anxiety to somberness and terror.
Before reviewing it, I decided to test the thesaurus. I’d rewrite one chapter to make sure my emotional details were varied but accurate at the same time.
The first emotion that I looked up was Excitement. Each entry includes a definition of the emotion (the state of being energized or stimulated and provoked to act). That sounded right but my character was standing like a lump waiting for someone to catch up. The listing included almost a full page of physical responses. Soon I had my character fidgeting as he waited—a response that fit his personality and was more accurate than what I had previously written.
Because this part of the story was moving at a fast pace, I didn’t include internal sensations or emotional responses, but those are part of the listing as well. If my character was trying to look bored instead of excited, I might have focused on an internal response or the choices for suppressed emotion.
Then I saw the Writer’s Tip and laughed. “If you’re stuck on how to show an emotion, form a strong image of the scene in your mind. Let the scene unfold, and watch the character to see how they move and behave.”
If I’d done that, I wouldn’t have needed a cue to remind me that my character, a nine-year-old who vibrates with energy, wouldn’t stand still while he was waiting.
That’s exactly what makes this book a perfect reference. Scan through the various responses and you will find something that makes you think “Of course, that is exactly how my character would act.”
Can’t find the emotion you need to describe? Try again. At one point I tried to look up Enthusiasm which isn’t listed. Why not call it Excitement which is just as accurate? It isn’t my names for the emotions that need to be varied, but my character’s reactions.
Get a copy of
this reference in time to rewrite your next fiction project. Your character may be able to release her clenched jaw and simply thrust the paperwork at someone in frustration instead. She’ll be reacting in a greater variety of ways and you’ll have some hints for how to make her emotions more obvious.
–SueBEAuthor Sue Bradford Edwards blogs at One Writer's Journey.***
GIVEAWAY: THE EMOTION THESAURUS: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO CHARACTER EXPRESSION
We also have a giveaway from the authors, Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi! And after that fabulous review, I'm sure you'll want to win a copy for your writer's reference
It was so much fun participating in RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) during the launch of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. I bought the e-book as soon as it was released, 
and LOVE it. What a fantastic way to celebrate the birth of an amazing book. I love how much this helped bring our wonderful writing community even closer, and think it would be great to participate in an annual RAOK. Surprises are always fun, and it's nice to know how much you mean to people (and let them know how special they are to you).
Thanks for all the sweet comments on my
RAOK post...and for entering to win a critique of a picture book or the first ten pages of a chapter book, MG, or YA. I wish I could give critiques to all of you...but then I'd probably end up a zombie and my manuscripts would complain that I'm neglecting them.
I wrote all the names on pink pieces of paper and placed them in a bag. Then, my daughter offered to choose the winner. Actually, she asked if she could put her name in first, then if she chose herself, I could do her homework assignment instead of giving her a critique (and no...I didn't add her name, but tomorrow morning I'm bringing in bagels and special cookies to thank her for helping me).
Here's Sammi holding up the name of the winner.
It's a little hard to read in the photo, but...
Congratulations, Sue--you won the critique!
But wait...there's more to the story. Sammi wanted her friend to pick out a name, too. And since she pulled it out of the bag and this celebration encourages random acts of kindness, I decided that I'd critique a picture book or five pages of a chapter book, MG, or YA for another winner. So...
Congratulations, Jennifer Rumberger--you won a critique, too!
A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community.
Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.
So many people take the time to make us feel special, don't they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.
Kindness ROCKS! To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ. And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I'm participating too!
So many of you out there are incredibly supportive and deserving. So I've decided to do more than one thing. First of all, I'm going to donate a new MG book to my son's school library. Why? Because librarians are AWESOME. My mom was one and she's the first one to encourage me to follow my dream and become a writer. Second, I want to honor Jemi Fraser because she's been supportive and sweet from the very beginning. Jemi, I'm offering you a first chapter critique, which I hope helps out! I hope you all visit Jemi. She's one of those people that you just want to reach through the computer and hug. I feel like there are so many more of you that deserve honoring. I wish I had unlimited time! So in representation of that, I'm also offering a first chapter critique to one of you. Just comment and leave me a way to get a hold of you.
Do you know someone special that you'd like to randomly acknowledge? Don't be shy--come join us and celebrate! Send them an email, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round. :) Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift
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I have this book already, and I have to agree that it's a very handy book to have in the bookshelf.
SueBE--
This sounds like a wonderful resource--one that I'd never heard of until reading your post, and one which I'm sure my students would appreciate.
There are times that I head to the mirror when I'm working on a writing piece. Why? Well, when I am writing about a character's physical reaction, I act it out, and look at what my shoulders are doing...what happens with the facial muscles around my mouth...what are my eyebrows doing...and so on.
You provided some great reminders in your post, Sue. When we write a moment in a story, it should be as vivid as a scene on the movie screen.
Now that is an awesome prize. Totally in!
I'm working on a novel about a mother who is dying and the drama that entails while she tries to get her family affairs in order.
[email protected]
Couldn't wait - bought my copy on Kindle. Great idea. Thanks!
I'm working on revisions to a contemporary MG right now. I love the idea of this book; could be VERY useful! Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds like it's exactly what I need! If I don't win, I'm going to buy it. Thanks for the review!
How cool that I JUST discovered their blog and this resource JUST YESTERDAY and added it to my Kindle wishlist. A sign I might win the giveaway? Either way, I will get my hands on this book.
Although I don't write fiction, I think would be a fantastic resource!
I'm working on too many things! A couple of paranormal romances, some contemporaries, one with romantic suspense, even a YA series!
This book sounds like a writer's best friend!
I would love to get this resource! I'm writing my 3rd Young Adult fantasy.
I gave my copy to a friend, I'd love to have my own.
I am working on a short story.
Would love to have this book in my Library. Finishing book 2 of the Little One series.
Thank you.
I have enjoyed referring to the sampler of emotions on Angela's blog. The book sounds fabulous!
Great giveaway I hear it's a great thing to have. Currently I'm working on a paranormal story as well as a Bigfoot piece for an upcoming contest.
Where has this book been for my earlier writings? This sounds fabulous. I'm so glad to read this review and excited about the giveaway. I'm a regular blogger for my own blog and several others so write weekly.
This sounds like a really great resource! I can't wait to get a copy. I will also promote it to my readers in my newsletter and on my blog.
This sounds like a perfect reference book for a novelist.
-vanessa
This sounds awesome, if i don't win, I'll cry then have to go buy it!
It looks like a terrific book!
As writers I think many of us tend to get into word ruts, repeating words and phrases. What a wonderful tool this is!
Becca and I are so pleased that The Emotion Thesaurus helped to revamp your first chapter, Sue! Thanks so much for test driving the ET and for sharing how it went with Muffin readers.
Looking forward to seeing who wins The Emotion Thesaurus! Hope everyone is having a great weekend! :)
Angela Ackerman
I read about this book on more than one blog post before it came out, and I'd love to have a print copy! I'm definitely entering in the Rafflecopter. Thanks!
Sounds like a great reference book! Thanks for this giveaway. I'm currently working on my Camp NaNoWriMo project - just plotting, not writing yet.
ARGH! This is PERFECT timing! I'm in the beginning to middle stages of doing my first self edit. This book sounds awesome and like something I totally need. His heart is about to beat out of his chest... ;)
Oh my gosh! Exactly what I was looking for last week. I scoured blog posts and searched my blog subscriptions through Google Reader, looking for something that would help me to vary my characters' physical gestures to depict emotional response. Too much smiling, nodding, head shaking... You know how it is. I've got to get a copy of this book.
This book sounds very interesting and something that I need to add to my shelf.
Editing my second novel, with two in the pipeline. This book sounds perfect!
I love their website with the character, setting, weather and emotion thesaurus details. So helpful!
I am currently working on two projects: the third book in the Between series, and a new YA contemporary novel.
Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed that I win!
Cyndi
A little of this, a little of that. Whichever one the muse selects, I pick up.
Like Sioux, I act things out. I look for videos. I check out Google Images. This took will be at the top of my list where emotions are concerned.
--SueBE
Becca and Angela are awesome. They have a super blog that is full of writing tips...
I'm currently working on a self-help book called 'Unconventional Methods of Book Promotion and Networking.' The title is pretty explanatory. I'll be using Indiegogo to raise funds to publish and promote the book. I'm also a fiction writer, but I won't be concentrating on fiction until later this year.
I'm working on completing a novel I started seven years ago. Back then, I put it in a drawer, forgot about it and wrote other things. Now it is being rewritten.
Tears stream down my face as I think about the book in my hands. I hold it close to my chest, hoping beyond hope that the pages will help ease my pain. I shudder at the thought of giving it up, but I need my freedom. :) I'd like to win the book.
I would LOVE this. I have a pretty good vocabulary for character expression, but I get stuck in ruts!
This could be incredibly useful I am sure. I drop into habits way to regularly.
Books like this make me happy. I would love to add it to my collection.