Body Language in Writing

Everyone uses body language in one way or another. Talking with a friend, in a business meeting, or at a ball game, the gestures, postures, and movements of our bodies and facial expressions are telltale signs of who we are, our mood, how we feel healthwise or about an issue, and what we think.

We form tightened lips, narrowed eyes, make fists, throw hands in the air, and shuffle our feet. We talk with our hands, cover our face, rake fingers through our hair, etc. We are human, and we are constantly expressive.

In real life, if more than fifty percent of non-verbal communication is through body language, then it goes to reason that when we write our protagonists and antagonists should do the same. How dull would a book be without noticing shifty eyes, crossed arms, or flared nostrils?

By using body language in writing, we are more likely to show and not tell, thus giving readers a more accurate picture of the character’s state of mind and the tension taking place. We draw the reader in when we use realistic and believable behaviors, just be sure to use them in moderation. Too many will slow your story down.

Example of overuse: Roy’s face reddened, lips tightened, his knuckles whitened in clenched fists, and he gritted his teeth when his boss gave the promotion to his partner. He stormed from the room and slammed the door, remembering the pistol in his brief case.

Better: Heat rushed into Roy’s face when his boss gave the promotion to his partner. He clenched his jaw to keep from saying too much and left the room. The door slammed behind him as his focus lands on the briefcase under his desk, housing a Glock.

Roy’s body language describes his attitude and mood. The tension thickened, and the stakes rose the moment a weapon was mentioned. Most readers can tell something bad is about to happen; thus, the suspense intensifies. Let them bask in the non-verbal clues the character reveals and keep them turning the page.

Using body language sounds simple, but it’s not as easily written. Here are a few more examples of suspicious, angry, or aggitated body language. We must avoid repetition of the same gestures in our writing to avoid losing the readers interest. 

Crossed the arms                                 Tightened lips                         Straddled a chair

Narrowed eyes                                    Twisted lips                             Looked away

Jutted chin                                          Clenched fists                         Lowered eyebrows

Crouched down                                  Confrontational                       Rolled eyes

Darting glance                                     Grimacing                               Shaking fist

Twitching trigger finger                      Lying                                       Sneering or Smirk

            Remember, use body language where it will pack a punch in the story and add depth to the character’s dialogue. Most importantly, keep the reader turning the page, or their body language will toss the book aside.     

Loretta Eidson writes romantic suspense. She has won and been a finalist in several writing contests, including first place in romantic suspense in the Foundations Awards at the 2018 Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, a finalist in ACFW’s 2018 Genesis, was a finalist in the 2018 Fabulous Five, and a double finalist in the 2017 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence.

            Loretta lives in North Mississippi with her husband Kenneth, a retired Memphis Police Captain. She loves salted caramel lava cake, dark chocolate, and caramel Frappuccinos.

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Website: lorettaeidson.com

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