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Last month, I mentioned the launch of Emotional Beats: How to Easily Convert your Writing into Palpable Feelings. As promised, here is the next installment from the book. It lists beats you can use to convey:
Indifference
Indifference can be hard to convey through a beat because you’re really describing the lack of a physical reaction. And you can have your characters shrug only so much before they start looking like they’re having a seizure. Some useful beats are:
- She looked down at him through laced fingers.
- She steepled her long fingers together.
- He absent-mindedly cracked his knuckles.
- He dismissed her with a commanding gesture.
- She pressed her hands to her cheeks.
- She made a steeple of her fingers.
- She sent an indifferent glance about the room.
- He cast only the slightest of glances to the woman before focusing back to [object].
- He yawned.
Shrugs
- She gave a one-shoulder shrug.
- She gave a half shrug.
- He lifted his shoulder in a half shrug.
- She sloughed off a lame shrug.
- She sloughed off that hint of doom.
- A flinch issued from her shoulder.
- A quick shrug usurped her intended nod.
- His shoulders flinched a tight/nervous shrug.
Waves
- He waved a hand to indicate he understood.
- He waved at him dismissively.
- He brushed off her complaints with a dismissive wave of his hand.
- With a flick of her wrist, she waved away the question.
- Accepting the inevitable, he nodded to proceed with an unenthusiastic flourish of his hand.
- She gave a dismissive wave of her hand.
- He waved off her words like they were mosquitoes.
Next week: interest. View all posts on the subject, or buy the book on Amazon – free on KU!
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Just bought this book in print edition!
Yay! Thank you so much, Paula! Although I doubt I have much to teach you; you have such great beats in your books!!
Variety is the spice of life. Thank you, Nicholas. 🙂
Nice way of looking at it, Tess! Thanks 🙂
Helpful as always! Thanks, Nicholas.
So glad you thought so, D! Thank you 🙂
Nicholas, I downloaded one of your posts from the book and gave copies to my critique group last week, along with showing them the book, which I bought. I think you will get some more sales.
That is so kind of you!! Thank you 😀
I remember reading a story once where one character kept saying he was indifferent. Almost like his catch phrase. This wasn’t a published work.
Hey, maybe it *was* a catchphrase!
Good point.
Good tips on a tricky area of description. Thanks, Nicholas.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete! It’s surprising how many times my characters would shrug 🙂
Thanks for sharing more information from your great book, Nicholas. 🙂 — Suzanne
That is so kind of you; thank you, Suzanne 🙂
The book looks fabulous, Nicholas! I’m sorry I haven’t been by sooner to tell you! Thank you for letting me be a part of it. I’m looking forward to better spreading the word!
Aw, you’re so kind! Thank you 😀