nervous description creative writing

How to Describe Nervousness in Writing (23 Tips + Examples)

How do you move beyond simple statements like “She was nervous” to create a vivid, believable depiction of anxiety?

Here is how to describe nervousness in writing:

Describe nervousness in writing by using vivid language and sensory details. Show physical symptoms like shaking hands or quick breathing. Use dialogue tags such as “stammered,” internal dialogue, and pacing to build tension. Use words like “jittery” or “heart pounding” to deepen emotional impact.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to describe nervousness in writing.

23 Best Tips for Describing Nervousness in Writing

Table of Contents

In this section, you’ll find 23 tips and techniques, complete with examples, that will guide you in portraying nervousness with nuance and depth.

Read all the way through and then pick the tips that speak to you the most.

1) Demonstrate, Don’t Describe

One of the cardinal rules of effective writing is to show rather than tell.

Instead of merely stating that a character is nervous, portray their anxiety through actions or implications.

This strategy draws the reader into the experience, making it more relatable and impactful.

Example : Instead of writing “John was nervous about the interview,” you could say, “John’s hands trembled as he straightened his tie one last time before stepping into the interview room.”

2) Use Body Language

Body language can be an incredible tool for conveying a character’s nervousness.

The slight tremble in the hands, fidgeting feet, or erratic movement can speak volumes.

In focusing on body language, you give your reader visual cues to better understand the character’s state of mind.

Example : Rather than simply stating “Emily was nervous before her speech,” describe how “Emily kept shifting from one foot to another, her fingers incessantly twirling a strand of hair.”

3) Incorporate Inner Monologue

A character’s inner thoughts offer an unfiltered glimpse into their emotional state.

For nervousness, consider incorporating internal monologue that captures the essence of the character’s fears or concerns.

This internal conversation can range from panicked thoughts to rationalizing statements.

Example : Instead of writing, “Sarah was nervous about the test,” you could write, “‘You can do this, you’ve prepared,’ Sarah thought, attempting to drown out the rising tide of panic that whispered, ‘But what if you fail?’”

4) Employ Facial Expressions

Facial expressions are highly expressive indicators of emotion.

A clenched jaw, furrowed brows, or widened eyes can all be signs of nervousness.

Including these details enriches the imagery and allows the reader to visualize the emotion vividly.

Example : Instead of saying, “Mark was nervous about the confrontation,” you could describe how “Mark’s eyes darted around the room, avoiding eye contact, his lips pinched in a tight line.”

5) Manipulate Pace and Sentence Structure

The pacing of your sentences can mirror the character’s emotional tempo.

Short, choppy sentences can create a feeling of urgency or disquiet, while long, winding sentences may denote an overwrought mind that’s spiraling out of control.

Example : Instead of “Lisa was anxious,” you might write, “Lisa’s thoughts tumbled over each other, a jumbled mess of ‘what-ifs’ and ‘if-onlys,’ her heart pounding as if keeping time with her spiraling anxiety.”

6) Use Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors and similes can also be instrumental in conveying nervousness.

By comparing the emotion or associated bodily sensations to something else, you can evoke a particular feeling or image in the reader’s mind.

Example : You could write, “His nervousness was like a swarm of bees, buzzing uncontrollably in the pit of his stomach,” to imply a sense of chaotic energy and discomfort.

7) Utilize Dialogue and Tone

Dialogue can also be a potent tool for conveying nervousness.

The words a character chooses, their tone, or even the pauses and stutters in their speech can all reveal underlying anxiety.

Through dialogue, you can show a character’s struggle to articulate their thoughts, their tendency to ramble, or their use of filler words—all indicative of nervousness.

Example : Instead of writing, “Tina was nervous about the question,” you could show her hesitation in dialogue: “‘Well, you see, um, it’s a bit complicated, isn’t it?’ Tina’s voice wavered, each word tinged with a nervous lilt that betrayed her composure.”

8) Leverage Environmental Interaction

How a character interacts with their environment can be another window into their emotional state.

Someone who is nervous might fiddle with objects, look away into the distance, or keep glancing at the door.

These interactions serve as nonverbal cues to the reader, adding an extra layer of context to the emotional landscape of the story.

Example : Instead of saying, “Paul was nervous,” you could describe how he interacts with his surroundings: “Paul kept glancing at his watch, then at the door, his fingers drumming an impatient rhythm on the tabletop. Every creak of the floorboards made him start, his eyes darting towards the source of the sound.”

9) Use Sensory Descriptions

Incorporating sensory descriptions can deeply immerse your reader into the character’s emotional state.

Describe how nervousness feels, tastes, sounds, smells, or even looks from the character’s perspective.

Does their mouth go dry? Is there a pit in their stomach?

Sensory details add a tangible quality to emotions, making them feel real to the reader.

Example : Rather than saying, “Raj was anxious,” you could provide sensory details: “A sour taste filled Raj’s mouth, his tongue thick and clumsy as if coated in cotton. His skin tingled with the static of his nerves, every sound magnified to a grating roar.”

10) Incorporate Thought-Action Sequences

When nervous, people often go through a rapid series of thoughts and actions.

Incorporating these thought-action sequences can add a realistic dimension to your depiction of nervousness.

Describe what the character thinks and then immediately show how that thought translates into action or inaction.

Example : Instead of saying, “Lisa felt nervous,” you could write: “‘I can’t mess this up,’ Lisa thought. Almost robotically, she reached for her notes, skimmed through them one last time, and adjusted the microphone. Her hands quivered just enough to remind her of her fragility.”

11) Use Repetitive Actions or Tics

People often exhibit repetitive behaviors or tics when they are nervous.

This could be tapping a foot, scratching an itch that isn’t there, or even humming a tune unconsciously.

These actions can become a character’s signature way of displaying nervousness, aiding in building a more rounded, believable individual.

Example : Instead of saying, “Nina was nervous,” you might write: “Nina kept pulling at the hem of her dress, stretching the fabric until it snapped back into place. It was a nervous tic she had developed as a child and it resurfaced now, a telltale sign of her inner turmoil.”

12) Play with Syntax and Grammar

Unconventional sentence structure can sometimes effectively convey a character’s nervous state.

Fragmented sentences, run-ons, or even abrupt syntactical breaks can make the reader feel the disjointedness or racing thoughts that come with nervousness.

Example : Instead of saying, “Harry was nervous,” you could experiment with sentence structure: “Harry couldn’t sit still. Couldn’t breathe normally. Everything a jumble. Thoughts. Emotions. A cacophony. He was unraveling.”

13) Utilize Flashbacks or Imagery

Sometimes the source of a character’s nervousness is a past event or a vivid imagination projecting worst-case scenarios.

You can employ flashbacks or internal imagery to convey this deeper layer of emotion.

It provides context and depth, making the emotion multidimensional.

Example : Rather than writing, “Martha was nervous,” you could incorporate a flashback: “As Martha waited for her name to be called, a vivid memory flashed before her eyes—the last time she had stood on a similar stage, forgetting all her lines. Her stomach knotted at the thought.”

14) Exaggerate for Effect (Hyperbole)

Sometimes a little exaggeration can drive the point home effectively.

Hyperbole allows you to amplify a character’s emotional state for greater impact.

While you should use this sparingly, an exaggerated description at the right moment can offer an intense snapshot of a character’s feelings.

Example : Instead of simply saying, “Clara was nervous,” you could exaggerate: “Clara felt like her heart was about to burst through her chest and make a run for it, leaving her behind to face the crowd.”

15) Punctuate with Silence

The absence of sound or action can be as powerful as its presence.

Moments of silence, hesitation, or stillness can accentuate a character’s nervousness and build tension.

Readers naturally fill silence with their own anticipation, adding to the emotional depth of a scene.

Example : Instead of saying, “Jim felt nervous,” you could write: “Jim opened his mouth to speak, but words escaped him. An uncomfortable silence filled the room, every tick of the clock amplifying his growing sense of dread.”

16) Use Dialogue Tags and Modifiers

While it’s generally better to show emotion through action and dialogue, sometimes a well-placed tag or modifier can be effective.

Words like “stammered,” “muttered,” or “whispered” can add nuance to speech, indicating a character’s emotional state.

Example : Instead of saying, “Maria was nervous,” consider: “‘I, uh, think we should talk,’ Maria stammered, her voice barely rising above a whisper.”

17) Add Color to Breathing and Voice

Breathing patterns and voice modulation can reveal a lot about someone’s emotional state.

Short, shallow breaths or a tremulous voice can indicate nervousness.

Describe these to allow readers to ‘hear’ and ‘feel’ the character’s nervousness.

Example : Instead of just stating, “Lucas was nervous,” describe his breathing and voice: “Lucas drew a shallow, shaky breath, his words coming out in hesitant fragments: ‘I, um, don’t know how to, uh, say this.'”

18) Describe the Passing of Time

How a character perceives the passing of time can indicate their emotional state.

Time might drag painfully slow or rush by in a disorienting blur when one is nervous.

Use this to build atmosphere and provide insight into the character’s inner world.

Example : Instead of stating, “Kelly felt nervous,” write: “Every second that ticked by felt like an eternity to Kelly, each moment stretching out as she waited for her name to be announced.”

19) Break It with Humor

Sometimes, breaking the tension with a moment of humor can accentuate the nervousness that preceded it.

This can make characters more relatable and endearing to the reader, showcasing their coping mechanisms.

Example : Rather than saying, “Tom was nervous,” you could write: “Tom fumbled with his keys, dropping them twice before finally unlocking the door. ‘Well,’ he chuckled nervously, ‘who needs a security system when you have butterfingers like mine?'”

20) Employ Foreshadowing

You can use foreshadowing to build anticipation and make the character’s nervousness more pronounced.

Plant clues early in the narrative that something significant, and potentially nerve-wracking, will happen later.

Example : Instead of saying, “Sandy was anxious,” employ foreshadowing: “Sandy couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling as she read the anonymous letter again. ‘See you soon,’ it ended, and every time she read those words, her stomach churned with a nervous dread she couldn’t place.”

21) Bring it Full Circle (Callback)

Sometimes calling back to an earlier moment of nervousness can demonstrate growth or a lack thereof in a character.

This can add depth to your character and make the emotion feel earned.

Example : Instead of saying, “Amy was no longer nervous,” you could use a callback: “Amy looked at the stage, remembering how she’d frozen up last year. But this time, her feet were steady. She smiled, her nerves giving way to newfound confidence.”

22) Layered Emotions

Often, nervousness isn’t a standalone emotion; it comes layered with anticipation, excitement, or even dread.

Describing these mixed feelings can offer a more nuanced and relatable portrayal of nervousness.

Example : Instead of saying, “Dan was nervous,” you could layer emotions: “Dan felt a strange cocktail of emotions—nervousness peppered with a dash of excitement and a hint of dread. It was his first day at a new job, after all.”

23) Blend Multiple Techniques

The most compelling portrayals often use a blend of multiple techniques.

By combining different elements like inner monologue, dialogue, body language, and pacing, you can craft a rich, multi-layered portrayal of nervousness that resonates with readers.

Example : “Jane’s fingers tapped an erratic rhythm on her desk. ‘You’ve got this,’ she silently assured herself, her stomach churning like a washing machine on spin cycle. Her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps, failing to clear the fog of unease that clouded her thoughts.”

When describing nervousness, it’s good to first understand it:

30 Words to Describe Nervousness in Writing

When it comes to describing nervousness, the right vocabulary can make all the difference.

Selecting precise words can make your prose more vivid and transport your reader into the emotional landscape of your characters.

Here are 30 words you can use to describe nervousness:

• Apprehensive

30 Phrases to Describe Nervousness in Writing

Sometimes a single word won’t suffice and a phrase can provide a more nuanced description of a character’s emotional state.

The following phrases can add complexity and detail when describing nervousness:

• Heart pounding like a drum
• A bundle of nerves
• Sweating bullets
• Butterflies in the stomach
• Walking on eggshells
• Twisting one’s hands
• Gnawing at the insides
• Mind racing a mile a minute
• Pins and needles
• Shaking like a leaf
• Biting one’s nails
• Stomach in knots
• Breathing quick and shallow
• Fumbling over words
• Ears burning with embarrassment
• Vein throbbing in the temple
• Holding one’s breath
• Suffering a nervous breakdown
• Nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof
• Feeling cornered
• Jumping at shadows
• Second-guessing oneself
• Trembling from head to toe
• Heart skipping a beat
• Palms clammy with sweat
• Restless leg syndrome
• Voice tinged with apprehension
• Pulse racing uncontrollably
• Lost in a fog of nervousness

3 Full Descriptions of Nervousness in Different Genres

Here are three full descriptions of how to describe nervousness in writing.

You’ll read about nervous characters in:

Science Fiction

Mystery/thriller.

John walked into the dimly lit room, its shadows casting eerie patterns on the walls.

His heart pounded in his chest as if a drumroll were announcing his entry. The smell of old books mixed with the musk of mildew, creating an ambiance of foreboding that gnawed at his insides.

He felt like he was walking on eggshells, each step a potential trigger for something he couldn’t quite articulate.

The room seemed to close in on him, and he found himself gripping the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white. His breaths were shallow, each inhalation a laborious task, as he felt the weight of eyes upon him—even though he was alone.

Emma looked across the candle-lit table, her eyes meeting Michael’s.

Her stomach was a swirl of butterflies, fluttering wildly as if trying to escape. Her hands felt clammy, and she discreetly wiped them on her napkin.

As he smiled, she found herself lost in a fog of nervousness, a tingling sensation crawling up her spine.

The thought of what might happen after dinner filled her with a heady mixture of excitement and dread.

Each time their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat, making her wonder if this was love or just a new level of emotional chaos she had yet to understand.

As Captain Williams stood before the interstellar council, his legs trembled beneath his space uniform, almost as if they were about to give way.

His heart felt like it was racing at warp speed, and he was acutely aware of the hundreds of extraterrestrial eyes focused on him.

Each species had its own way of scrutinizing, yet they all seemed to pierce right through him.

This is it, the first contact, don’t mess it up, he thought, his mind racing a mile a minute.

The gravity of the moment bore down on him, heavier than Jupiter’s pull, and he swallowed hard, trying to find his voice amid the lump of apprehension lodged in his throat.

Final Thoughts: How to Describe Nervousness in Writing

Nervousness is a critical element in tension and, therefore, every story.

If you’re looking for more guides on describing emotions and actions in writing, we have many great articles for on this site.

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• How To Describe a Panic Attack in Writing (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Describe a Brave Person in Writing (21 Tips + Examples)
• How to Describe a Hug in Writing (21 Best Tips + Examples)

Writing Nestling

How To Describe Nervousness In Writing (13 Best Ways)

Describing nervousness in writing is akin to wielding a masterful brush on the canvas of human emotions.

It is the art of capturing that visceral and universal sensation with words, allowing readers to not only witness but truly feel the trembling heartbeats, the sweaty palms, and the racing thoughts that define this complex emotional state.

Nervousness, in its many facets, is a profound element in storytelling, capable of breathing life into characters and narratives, forging an empathetic connection between readers and the written word.

This exploration delves into the techniques and nuances of articulating nervousness on the page, a journey through the intricacies of human emotion that will enable writers to create characters and scenes that resonate deeply with their audience.

Table of Contents

How To Describe Nervousness In Writing

Describing nervousness  in writing can help convey the emotions and feelings of a character or situation. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to do it:

Establish the Context

Begin by setting the scene and providing context. Describe where the character is, what’s happening, and why they might be feeling nervous. This helps readers connect with the character’s emotions.

Use Sensory Details

Engage the reader’s senses by incorporating sensory details. Describe what the character sees, hears, smells, tastes, and touches. For example, trembling hands, a racing heartbeat, or a dry mouth can all be signs of nervousness.

Internal Monologue

Show the character’s internal thoughts and self-talk. What are they thinking and feeling on the inside? Are they doubting themselves, fearing failure, or second-guessing their decisions? These internal struggles can convey their nervousness effectively.

Physical Reactions

Describe the physical manifestations of nervousness. These might include sweaty palms, fidgeting, pacing, or even a feeling of nausea. These actions can demonstrate the character’s emotional state.

Use dialogue to reveal nervousness indirectly through character interactions. A character might stutter, stumble over words, or struggle to maintain eye contact when they’re nervous.

Metaphors and Similes

Compare the feeling of nervousness to something relatable. For example, “Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird,” or “He felt like a tightrope walker without a safety net.” Metaphors and similes can make the emotion more vivid and relatable.

Body Language

Pay attention to the character’s body language. Describe how they stand, sit, or move. Are they hunched over, avoiding eye contact, or constantly shifting their weight? These details can express their nervousness.

Setting Description

Connect the environment to the character’s feelings. If the room is dimly lit, chaotic, or unfamiliar, it can contribute to the character’s nervousness. Describe the setting in a way that enhances the mood.

Repetition and Patterns

Repeated actions or thoughts can illustrate nervousness. For instance, a character might repeatedly check their watch, tap their foot, or circle back to the same concerns or worries.

Character’s Reactions

Show how the character responds to the nervousness. Do they try to hide it, overcome it, or succumb to it? Their reactions can reveal the depth of their emotion.

Foreshadowing

Use nervousness to foreshadow events or build tension. The character’s anxiety can hint at something significant about to happen, creating suspense for the reader.

Vary the Intensity

Nervousness exists on a spectrum. It can range from mild unease to overwhelming anxiety. Adjust the intensity of the descriptions to match the character’s level of nervousness in a particular situation.

Editing and Revision

After writing, review your description of nervousness to ensure it effectively conveys the emotion without being overly repetitive or clichéd. Make sure it fits well within the overall narrative.

Remember that the key to describing nervousness effectively is to show, not just tell. Allow readers to experience the character’s emotions through vivid and relatable descriptions, and vary your techniques to keep the writing engaging and authentic.

Understanding Nervousness

Understanding nervousness is like peeling back the layers of a human psyche, revealing the raw and unfiltered essence of our vulnerabilities.

It’s that electric charge that dances on the tightrope of our emotions, a symphony of unease and anticipation playing in the background of our lives.

Nervousness is the involuntary confession of our deepest fears, our subconscious heartbeats echoing in the silent chambers of our souls.

To truly comprehend nervousness is to unlock the enigmatic door to human authenticity, where even the bravest warriors and the most composed hearts find themselves at the mercy of their own apprehensions.

Definition of nervousness

Nervousness is a complex and multifaceted emotional state that resides at the intersection of anticipation, apprehension, and unease.

It is the quiver of one’s heart, the fluttering of butterflies in the stomach, and the racing of thoughts in the mind, often in response to a perceived threat or a significant upcoming event.

Nervousness can manifest physically, with symptoms like sweaty palms, trembling, or an accelerated heartbeat, as well as mentally, through racing thoughts and self-doubt.

This emotion is an innate part of the human experience, revealing our vulnerability and serving as a powerful indicator of our emotional engagement with the world around us.

Whether it’s the nervous excitement before a first date or the anxious tension before a crucial presentation, nervousness is a universal feeling that transcends cultures and backgrounds, making it an essential element in understanding human nature.

Common triggers and causes of nervousness

Nervousness can be triggered by a multitude of life’s situations and challenges, each person’s experience uniquely influenced by their individual fears and sensitivities.

Common triggers of nervousness include public speaking, a daunting job interview, academic exams, medical appointments, and social interactions with unfamiliar individuals or groups.

Uncertainty about the outcome or fear of judgment often exacerbates these feelings. Life changes, such as moving to a new place, starting a new job, or embarking on a new relationship, can also evoke nervousness due to the unfamiliarity and unpredictability of the situation.

Essentially, nervousness arises when our comfort zones are breached, and we are confronted with the unknown, forcing us to grapple with our insecurities and the fear of potential negative outcomes.

The physiological and psychological aspects of nervousness

The experience of nervousness is a complex interplay of both physiological and psychological elements. Physiologically, the body’s fight-or-flight response kicks into action, triggered by the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

This results in a surge in heart rate, heightened alertness, and a rush of energy. Simultaneously, the body may manifest physical symptoms, such as trembling, sweating, and an unsettled stomach.

These reactions, while adaptive in times of true danger, can be overwhelming in situations that only pose social or psychological threats.

Psychologically, nervousness is marked by a pervasive sense of unease and heightened self-awareness. Negative thoughts and self-doubt often dominate one’s internal dialogue, and there can be a cognitive narrowing, wherein an individual’s focus fixates on perceived threats.

The mind becomes a battleground where anxiety clashes with rationality, and emotional responses like fear and apprehension take center stage.

Nervousness can vary in intensity, from a minor case of jitters to severe anxiety, and understanding the complex interplay between these physiological and psychological aspects is crucial in managing and coping with this common human experience.

The Role of Descriptive Writing

The role of descriptive writing is akin to being a magician with words, conjuring entire worlds and emotions within the minds of readers.

It’s a symphony of senses, where the subtlest brushstrokes of language paint vivid images, evoke scents long forgotten, and awaken the tactile sensations of a distant memory.

Descriptive writing is the compass that guides readers through uncharted territories, letting them breathe the air of far-off lands, hear the whispered secrets of characters, and taste the bittersweet tears of poignant moments.

It’s the alchemy of storytelling, where mere words transform into the gold of reader immersion, forging an unbreakable bond between writer and audience.

In the realm of literature, the role of descriptive writing is not merely to tell a tale but to be the conductor of a sensory orchestra, orchestrating an unforgettable experience for those who dare to venture between the lines.

Importance of sensory details in conveying nervousness

The importance of sensory details in conveying nervousness cannot be overstated. When we aim to immerse our readers in the emotional experience of a character, we rely on sensory descriptions to bridge the gap between the written word and the reader’s empathetic connection.

Sensory details offer a visceral pathway to understanding nervousness, allowing readers to not only witness but feel the trembling hands, taste the metallic tang of anxiety in the air, hear the erratic thud of a pounding heart, and see the quiver in a character’s voice.

These details lend authenticity to the narrative, making nervousness tangible, relatable, and deeply resonant. They enable readers to step into the shoes of the characters, forging a profound emotional bond with their inner turmoil.

In this way, sensory details become the keys that unlock the door to the reader’s empathy, enhancing the storytelling experience and leaving a lasting imprint on their hearts and minds.

Techniques for Describing Nervousness

Describing nervousness is like mastering a clandestine language of the heart , where the ink is made of sweat and the sentences are punctuated by erratic heartbeats.

It’s the art of capturing the delicate dance between apprehension and anticipation, painted with the brushstrokes of quivering voices and the echoes of inner turmoil.

Writers employ techniques as diverse as a palette of emotions: they use sensory imagery to sketch the intricate contours of fear, delve into internal monologues to reveal the unspoken anxieties, and wield metaphors like chisels to sculpt a vivid sculpture of unease.

Dialogue becomes the spoken sonnet of nervous souls, and settings metamorphose into the very stage upon which emotions are played out.

These techniques are the artisan’s tools in crafting a literary masterpiece that not only tells a story but intimately connects readers with the visceral symphony of human emotions.

Sensory imagery

Sensory imagery is the alchemy of words, the poetic art of invoking the senses in the minds of readers. It’s the literary passport that transports audiences to far-flung realms or the innermost chambers of a character’s soul.

Through the vivid depiction of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations, sensory imagery breathes life into the narrative, allowing readers to step inside the story, to feel the caress of a breeze, to savor the aroma of a bustling kitchen, or to shiver at the eerie creak of an abandoned house.

Sensory imagery isn’t mere description; it’s an invitation, a compelling force that bridges the gap between the written word and the reader’s experiential reality.

It transforms the mundane into the magical, the ordinary into the extraordinary, and in doing so, it infuses storytelling with a vividness and depth that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Character Development

Character development is the literary equivalent of a chrysalis unfurling into a butterfly, a remarkable transformation that transcends the pages of a story.

It’s the art of breathing life into the ink and making the two-dimensional jump into three-dimensional vibrancy. Characters evolve, not just in their actions and decisions, but in the intricacies of their flaws, their virtues, and their hidden fears.

Like archaeologists unearthing a buried city, writers excavate the layers of a character’s psyche, revealing the secrets and motivations that drive them forward.

In the crucible of character development, readers find a mirror to their own complexities, a reminder of the shared humanity that binds us all, and, in that intimate connection, lies the true magic of storytelling—a reflection of the ever-changing mosaic of the human experience.

The impact of nervousness on character development

Nervousness, like a forge of emotional intensity, plays a pivotal role in character development. It’s a crucible where characters are tested, their strengths and vulnerabilities exposed.

As they grapple with nervousness, they confront their deepest fears, uncertainties, and insecurities, which are often the catalysts for significant personal growth.

This emotional turmoil can lead to profound self-discovery, forging resilience and newfound strengths. It can also unveil a character’s humanity, as readers witness them in their most vulnerable moments, fostering empathy and relatability.

Nervousness, when skillfully woven into a character’s journey, becomes the brushstroke that paints the intricate details of their inner world, making them more nuanced and captivating, and ultimately contributing to the depth and authenticity of their development throughout the narrative.

How character traits can be revealed through their response to nervousness

The response to nervousness serves as a revealing window into the intricate fabric of a character’s traits and innermost qualities.

When faced with anxiety, characters often exhibit a spectrum of responses, and within these reactions lie the seeds of their unique personalities.

A confident individual may employ humor as a shield, while a timid character might withdraw into introspection.

Their coping mechanisms, or lack thereof, reflect their emotional resilience and self-awareness. Whether they face their fears head-on or succumb to doubt, these responses offer insights into their courage, self-doubt, resilience, and adaptability.

It’s in the crucible of nervous moments that readers glimpse the authentic essence of characters, witnessing their vulnerabilities, strengths, and their deeply ingrained quirks that make them compelling and relatable figures within the narrative.

Plot Advancement

Plot advancement is the heartbeat of storytelling, the relentless pulse that propels a narrative forward, demanding the reader’s attention at every turn.

Like a masterful puppeteer, it orchestrates the twists and turns, pulling the strings of conflict and resolution. It’s the unfolding of secrets, the collision of intentions, and the unearthing of hidden motives, painting a dynamic canvas of intrigue and anticipation.

Each step in the plot’s journey is a revelation, inviting readers to embark on a rollercoaster of emotions, from heart-pounding suspense to breathtaking epiphanies.

Plot advancement is the compass, the guiding force that steers the reader through a labyrinth of events, promising to unveil the ultimate destination, and it’s this promise that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the secrets and surprises that lie just beyond the next page.

Balancing Show and Tell

Balancing show and tell in writing is like performing a high-wire act on the literary stage, a tightrope walk between the art of subtlety and the necessity of clarity.

Showing unveils the emotions and intricacies through sensory details and character actions, while telling offers concise exposition and direct insight.

Like a skilled chef combining flavors in a delicate dish, writers must blend these techniques in just the right measure to engage readers without overwhelming them.

It’s the dance of prose and poetry, where showing draws readers into the world, immersing them in its textures and colors, while telling provides the roadmap, guiding them through complex narratives.

The alchemy of this balance is the key to powerful storytelling, where readers not only see the story but understand it on a deeper level, forging a connection that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Reader Engagement

Reader engagement is the delicate art of inviting the soul of the reader to waltz with the spirit of the writer on the grand stage of storytelling.

It’s a whispered invitation to step into a parallel universe, to walk in the shoes of characters, and to taste the bittersweet tang of their victories and defeats.

Like a captivating symphony, it harmonizes emotions, immersing readers in a vivid tapestry of words.

Reader engagement is a magical contract between the writer and the audience, where the alchemy of prose and imagination weaves a bond that transcends the limitations of time and space.

It’s an unspoken pact, promising that even when the final chapter is turned, the echo of the narrative will resonate in the reader’s heart, inviting them to return again and again to relive the moments and emotions captured in the pages of a truly unforgettable story.

The importance of relatability in creating memorable characters

The importance of relatability in creating memorable characters cannot be overstated. When readers can see themselves in the struggles and triumphs of a character, a profound connection is formed.

Relatable characters become emotional mirrors, reflecting our own experiences, fears, and hopes.

They offer a tangible, humanizing element to the narrative, making it not just a story but a shared journey. Through the lens of relatable characters, readers can explore different perspectives and confront universal themes, enriching their own understanding of the world.

The emotional resonance created by relatability lingers long after the book is closed, leaving an indelible mark on the reader’s heart and mind.

Memorable characters are often those with whom we’ve forged a deep, empathetic bond, and this connection is the true essence of great storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about how to describe nervousness in writing:

Can describing nervousness be compared to painting with words.

Absolutely! Describing nervousness in writing is like an artist’s brushstroke on the canvas of emotions. You use words to craft vivid, sensory images that evoke the trembling, the racing heart, and the sweaty palms, painting a compelling emotional landscape for your readers.

How can I make nervousness a character’s ally rather than an obstacle in my story?

Nervousness can be a powerful character motivator. By showing how your character harnesses that nervous energy to drive them forward or transform their circumstances, you can turn it into a dynamic force that shapes the plot.

Are metaphors and similes the secret to portraying nervousness effectively?

While metaphors and similes can be potent tools, it’s essential to use them judiciously. Comparing nervousness to other sensations can add depth, but the real magic lies in the details—sensory, emotional, and cognitive—that paint a comprehensive picture of the character’s state.

How can I ensure my descriptions of nervousness remain fresh and engaging for readers?

Stay away from clichés and consider approaching nervousness from unique angles. Try to incorporate character-specific triggers or manifestations of nervousness that differentiate your writing from the usual tropes.

What’s the right balance between showing and telling when describing nervousness?

Finding the right balance is an art. Use ‘showing’ for the most intense moments to make the reader feel what the character feels. ‘Telling’ can be effective for providing context or conveying subtler emotions. Experiment and revise to strike that balance effectively.

Can settings and atmospheres contribute to conveying nervousness?

Absolutely. Your setting can mirror or intensify the character’s emotional state. By describing the environment—whether it’s a dimly lit room, a crowded street, or a desolate landscape—you can enhance the atmosphere and help readers immerse themselves in the character’s nervous experience.

How do I ensure that readers connect with a character’s nervousness on a personal level?

Make the emotions authentic and relatable. Infuse your character’s nervousness with universal themes—like fear of failure, social anxiety, or uncertainty—so that readers can see a reflection of their own experiences, fears, and hopes in your character’s struggles.

In the world of storytelling, the ability to effectively describe nervousness is a gift that enhances the depth and authenticity of characters and narratives.

The techniques explored, from sensory imagery to internal monologue and metaphorical nuances, serve as the palette with which writers paint intricate emotional portraits.

The impact of nervousness on character development and plot advancement is profound, offering a rich tapestry of human experiences for readers to explore.

By skillfully balancing the interplay of showing and telling, writers create a compelling, immersive experience that resonates with the heart of the reader.

Ultimately, the ability to convey nervousness in writing is an art that bridges the divide between the written word and human empathy, forging connections that transcend the confines of the page and leave a lasting imprint on the literary landscape.

It is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the complex landscape of human emotions and bring readers closer to the shared tapestry of the human experience.

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• How To Describe Running In Writing (10 Best Ways)
• How To Describe Fear In Writing (13 Steps You Need To Know)
• How To Write A Socially Awkward Character (10 Best Tips)
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Show Don't Tell = nervous [closed]

How would you use "Show Don't Tell" imagery to portray a person who is watching something (an encounter) that makes him nervous? All I can think of is: I could feel my body begin to sweat.

• 1 Welcome. I'm not sure what you mean by using show and tell with sweating. Do you mean you will run until you get sweaty and then show that to people? In what way is the sentence, "I could feel my body begin to sweat." an example of show and tell. Please explain -- thanks. –  chasly - supports Monica Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 9:59
• If you're asking about how nervousness can manifest itself, biting your nails , or chewing your fingernails are widely thought of as evidence. Whether that's physiologically true, I have no idea (likewise with sweating, by the way). –  JHCL Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 10:09
• 1 J. Doe - Here is a suggestion: When you say, 'portray a person who is watching something' -- that is extremely vague. Please can you give a real example, e.g. " a person is watching a horror movie on television and he begins to ___". A specific example often helps us much more than a general statement. –  chasly - supports Monica Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 10:15
• 1 @chaslyfromUK "Show don't tell" is a style of writing where an action is described instead of simply specified. E.g.: "He was tired." vs "His frame slouched forward, every step taking its toll." –  Lawrence Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 14:15

2 Answers 2

"I broke into a sweat. My heart pounded, and my hand began to feel clammy against my bouncing knee. I began to pace back and forth, stomping my feet impatiently at each end of the room. The very act of watching was hurting my eyes, and my heart was still threatening to burst forth from my ribcage."

have sweat beading/ breaking out on one's forehead , as in I was so nervous I thought I was gonna throw up again. I could feel sweat beading on my forehead as I walked around the corner . All Along The Watchtower

Here are a couple more suggestions you might find interesting on how to express nervousness in writing:

have one's heart in one's mouth (or throat ) : if someone's heart is in their mouth, they feel extremely nervous; My heart was in my mouth as I walked onto the stage . Cambridge Idioms Dictionary I could feel my heart in my throat as Tracy's blue Geo sliced through the eerie darkness of Martin's street . Class Dismissed: 75 Outrageous, Mind-Expanding College Exploits Ngram have one's heart pounding (or pulse racing ) , as in: My heart was pounding as I watched her pull into the parking lot. Just knowing that she and my father were in the same town was making me want to go run and bury my head in a pillow . A More Perfect Union: How I Survived the Happiest Day of My Life Ngram butterflies in one's stomach : a nervous feeling in one's stomach. ( Typically : get ~; have ~; give someone~.) Whenever I have to speak in public, I get butterflies in my stomach . She always has butterflies in her stomach before a test . It was not frightening enough to give me butterflies in my stomach, but it made me a little apprehensive . McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs One day in the spring of 1999 Molly called to say she had a final version for me to come in and watch. I could feel butterflies in my stomach as I made my way to the edit suite that afternoon. I kept telling myself it would be OK. Just For The Record Ngram

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How to Describe Worry in Writing

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: July 4, 2022  - Last updated: January 5, 2024

Categories Writing , Creativity , Filmmaking , Storytelling

It can be difficult to write about a worried character. They don’t always show their worries on the surface and may not even know what’s going on themselves. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create a believable and compelling character who worries all the time. In this post, we’ll show you the best way to create a worried character and how to make them feel real to your readers in your creative writing.

Characters Are Worried for a Reason – Give Readers a Glimpse

When writing about a character who worries, it’s important to give your readers some insight into why they worry. Otherwise, the worry may come across as unfounded or irrational.

So how do you describe worry in a way that’s both believable and understandable?

One way is to focus on the physical sensations of worry. This includes things like a racing heart, sweaty palms, or butterflies in the stomach. These physical reactions can be triggered by a variety of things, such as anticipation of a future event or memories of a past event.

• By describing the physical sensations of worry, you can help your readers understand and sympathize with your character’s inner turmoil.
• Another way to describe worry is to focus on the thought process itself. What goes through someone’s mind when they feel anxious or stressed? Often, worry is based on irrational thoughts or fears. This can mean thinking an upcoming event is catastrophic or thinking about a past mistake. By showing how these thoughts contribute to the feelings of worry, you can help your readers understand the person’s mental state.

Show How the Character’s Worry Impacts Their Actions

All characters face worry or stress in their lives, and these worries can greatly affect the way they think, speak, and act. As a writer, it’s important to capture this sense of worry in your writing to create fully developed and believable characters.

One way to show how worry affects a character is through their thoughts. A character who worries may be thinking about it constantly, even when she should be focusing on something else.

In their mind, thoughts circle around the worst-case scenario, or they replay past events over and over again, trying to find a clue as to what went wrong. This preoccupation with worry can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Another way to show how worry affects a person is through their words. A worried person may speak faster than usual, or they may stumble over their words and stutter.

They may also have difficulty concentrating on a conversation and may digress and worry in the middle of a sentence.

In addition, a person who worries may blurt out things they wouldn’t normally say – they may say something that gives too much away, or they may make a raunchy joke. This kind of behavior says a lot about a character’s personality and state of mind.

Characters who worry often worry about what if.

• What if I’m not good enough?
• What if I’m not prepared?
• What if I fail?

This way of thinking leads to a sense of fear and unease that can be conveyed by both the person’s thoughts and actions. Social anxiety can be a big part of what is going on.

For example, a person who’s worried about an upcoming exam might be pacing, biting their nails, or having difficulty concentrating. By showing how worry affects a character’s thoughts, words, and actions, you can give readers a deeper understanding of the character’s motivations and fears.

Plus, this attention to detail can help make the story more believable and realistic.

Show the Character’s Innermost Thoughts and Fears About Their Worry

When you’re writing about worry, it’s important to portray the character’s innermost thoughts and fears.

One way to do this is to use descriptive language.

For example, instead of simply saying, “ I’m worried about the upcoming exam ,” the person might say, “ I’m scared about the upcoming exam. What if I fail it? Then I’ll never graduate. ” This wording helps build a picture of the person’s emotional state and allows readers to empathize with their fears.

It’s also important to show how the person is dealing with her worries. Does she try to distract herself? Does she allow the worries to consume her? A person may deal with their worries in a variety of ways, such as excessive drinking, drug use, or long, hot showers.

By showing both the emotion itself and the character’s reaction to it, you can give readers a deeper understanding of what their worries feel like.

Body language can be a powerful way to show fear and anxiety. Shaking hands, for example, can convey a sense of fear or foreboding. Hunched shoulders, furrowed brows, pacing, and clenched fists are also signs of worry. A clenched jaw and teeth grinding are also signs of stress.

Inner monologs can reveal a person’s deepest fears and worries. Finally, thoughts about the future can show how a person’s worries affect their decisions.

One way to show a character’s innermost thoughts and fears is to have them keep a diary, as was done brilliantly in Bridget Jones’s Diary , for example.

Worry in the Eyes

When you’re writing about characters who’re worried, it can be helpful to describe their eyes. This is because the eyes are often a telltale sign of worry, stress, or anxiety.

For example, someone who’s worried may look around the room with wide eyes, trying to see all possible dangers.

Or the pupils may be dilated, making the eyes appear larger than usual.

Also, the person may blink more often than usual to prevent their eyes from drying out from stress.

Eyebrows may be drawn together and the skin between them may be wrinkled.

Another way to show worry is squinted eyes. This can convey suspicion or alertness as if the person is trying to assess a situation or a person.

With anxiety symptoms like this, you can help readers understand how the person is feeling and why they’re behaving in certain ways.

Worry in the Voice

One way to show that a character is worried is through their dialog. Concerned characters often speak quickly, use filler words, or stumble over their words as a vocal mirror of their negative thoughts.

You can also have them stumble over their words or hesitate in the middle of a sentence. Another way to show worry in the voice is to have the character’s pitch rise, either because they’re panicking or because they’re trying to sound more convincing.

Finally, you can make the character’s voice tremble or quiver as an anxious thought crosses their mind, which expresses both fear and uncertainty.

You Need the Backstory

It’s important that you know the backstory well in your writing process. This is because worry usually arises from some kind of conflict or problem.

To portray worry convincingly in your writing, you need to be able to show how the conflict or problem has affected your character.

• What’s at stake?
• What’s your character’s goal?
• And what’s she afraid of losing?

Here are some things to keep in mind as you flesh out the backstory of a character who’s worried:

• How did the conflict or problem arise?
• What’s the cause of the character’s stress?
• What’re the consequences of failure?
• What’s your character’s greatest fear?

Answering these questions will help you create a well-rounded and believable character who’s real concerns. If you know the backstory well, you can write about worry in a way that’s relatable and compelling.

What Worry Feels Like Inside

Here’s how someone might describe being worried:

Some days it’s hard to focus on anything but worry. It’s like a storm cloud hovering over your head, casting a shadow over everything else in your life.

When you worry, it feels like your mind is stuck in a loop of anxious thoughts. You feel tense and nervous, or you feel like you can’t focus on anything else. Your heart might be racing and you might start to sweat. You might even feel like you’re going to throw up or have a panic attack.

All of these physical symptoms can make it hard for you to think clearly or calm down. Worry can also affect your sleep, so you end up feeling not only anxious but exhausted.

Worry is all-consuming and can’t be shaken off. Your stomach is in knots and you can barely catch your breath.

Every little sound feels like it’s multiplying tenfold, and you can’t sit still. You pace back and forth, rock back and forth, or wrap your hair around your finger obsessively.

You might even start picking at your skin or biting your nails.

All you can think about is what could go wrong and how disastrous the consequences could be.

It can feel like your thoughts are spinning out of control. You may feel like you can’t turn your brain off.

It’s a stressful way to live, but it’s hard to see a way out when worry has such a tight grip on you.

Mastering Emotional Description Through Personal Insight

A crucial element in expressing emotions effectively in writing, such as conveying worry, lies in tapping into your emotional experiences. The best way to capture the essence of an emotion authentically is by understanding it intimately; one of the most effective methods to achieve this is through journaling. Regularly analyzing and articulating your feelings in a journal, you develop a deeper understanding and a more nuanced vocabulary for expressing emotions.

To assist you in this reflective practice, we recommend exploring “ Deep Journal Prompts ” from Brilliantio. These prompts are designed to guide you into a profound exploration of your emotional landscape, helping you articulate and understand complex feelings like worry, joy, frustration, and more. This deep self-exploration can significantly enhance your ability to describe these emotions in your writing.

Alternatively, for those looking to make journaling a consistent daily practice, “ 365 Journal Prompts ” offers a prompt for each day of the year, covering a wide range of emotions and scenarios. This can be an excellent way to ensure a varied and comprehensive exploration of your emotional experiences over time.

Incorporating these journaling practices into your routine not only aids in personal growth but also equips you with the tools to describe emotions more vividly and authentically in your writing.

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100+ Nervous Character Traits

The ProWritingAid Team

Table of Contents

Possible causes of being nervous, attitudes associated with nervousness, thoughts and struggles linked with being nervous, emotions related to being nervous, facial expressions associated with being nervous, body language related to being nervous, behaviors associated with being nervous, growth and evolution of nervous characters, stereotypes of nervous characters to avoid, negatives of being nervous, positives of being nervous, common actions of nervous characters, relationships of nervous characters, examples from books of characters who are nervous, writing exercises for writing nervous characters.

To engage your reader, it's important to always show, not tell, the traits of your characters.

The character trait nervous refers to a state of being easily agitated, anxious, and tense. A nervous character may be prone to worry, overthinking, and experiencing physical symptoms like sweating, shaking, or a racing heart. They may also have difficulty focusing and making decisions.

This trait can be portrayed in a variety of ways, from subtle fidgeting and avoidance behaviors to more extreme reactions, like panic attacks or breakdowns. Overall, a nervous character can add depth and complexity to a story by highlighting the challenges and vulnerabilities of being human.

You might want to weave these into your character's backstory to build a more believable character:

Genetics or family history of anxiety disorders

Chemical imbalances in the brain

Trauma or stressful life events (such as abuse, neglect, or a major life change)

Chronic stress or exposure to high-pressure situations

Environmental factors such as living in a high-crime area or experiencing social isolation

Personality traits such as perfectionism or high sensitivity

You may be able to show being nervous through their attitudes:

Apprehensive

Self-conscious

Here are some ideas for things your nervous character may think or struggle with.

Difficulty speaking up or asserting themselves

Constantly worrying about what others think of them

Fear of failure and making mistakes

Overthinking and second-guessing their own actions

Avoiding social situations or feeling uncomfortable in them

Physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, or trembling in stressful situations

Feeling self-conscious and insecure

Struggling with anxiety and panic attacks

Difficulty making decisions and feeling indecisive

Here are some ideas for emotions your nervous character may experience:

Apprehension

Jitteriness

Here are some facial expressions your nervous character may exhibit:

A furrowed brow or forehead wrinkles

Avoiding eye contact or darting eyes

Tightened jaw or lips pressed together

Pursed lips or biting of the lips

Uneven or rapid breathing

Shaking or trembling of the hands or body

Narrowed eyes or squinting

Forced or unnatural smiling

Fidgeting or tapping of the feet or hands

Here is some body language your nervous character may exhibit:

Fidgeting with hands or feet

Rapid breathing or shallow breaths

Biting nails or lips

Pacing or shuffling feet

Restlessness or inability to sit still

Sweating or shaking

Clenched fists or jaw

Avoiding eye contact

Tapping fingers or feet

Here are some behaviors your nervous character may exhibit.

Feeling shaky or unsteady

Avoiding eye contact or looking down

Feeling tense or on edge

Overthinking or overanalyzing situations

Rapid heartbeat or breathing

Seeking reassurance or validation from others

Stuttering or stumbling over words

Sweating or feeling hot

Fidgeting or tapping your foot or fingers

Here are some ways that your nervous character may grow and evolve over time:

Learning to communicate assertively and express their needs

Learning to trust others and rely on their support

Gaining confidence through small successes

Developing a stronger sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Overcoming their fears and facing challenges head-on

Developing coping mechanisms to manage their anxiety

Challenging their negative self-talk and beliefs

Recognizing their own strengths and using them to their advantage

Learning to take risks and step out of their comfort zone

Try to avoid writing stereotypical nervous characters like these examples:

Avoid using nervousness as a punch line or a source of humor.

Avoid stereotyping nervous characters as shy or introverted.

Avoid portraying nervousness as a negative trait that needs to be overcome or eliminated.

Avoid making nervous characters overly apologetic or self-deprecating.

Avoid portraying nervous characters as weak or helpless.

Avoid making nervousness the only defining trait of a character.

Here are some potential negatives of being nervous. Note: These are subjective, and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

Difficulty in making decisions

Physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and increased heart rate

Fear of failure

Constant worrying

Difficulty in social situations

Hindrance to personal and professional growth

Negative impact on mental health and well-being

Inability to relax or unwind

Tendency to avoid challenging situations

Here are some potential positives of being nervous. Note: These are subjective, and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

Empathy: Nervous individuals are often more in tune with the emotions of others, leading to a greater capacity for empathy and understanding.

Preparedness: Nervous individuals tend to be planners, thinking through potential scenarios and preparing accordingly.

Heightened awareness: Nervous people tend to be more attentive to their surroundings, which can help them notice details others might miss.

Diligence: People who experience nervousness tend to be meticulous and detail oriented, as they are constantly monitoring themselves and their environment.

Here are some common actions of nervous characters:

Apologizing excessively or unnecessarily

Pacing or restlessness

Repetitive or fidgety movements

Talking too quickly or too slowly

Overthinking or second-guessing oneself

Speaking in a shaky or quivering voice

Here are some ways that being nervous could affect your character's relationships:

Nervous people may struggle with assertiveness, leading to passive or submissive behavior in relationships.

They may be prone to overthinking and second-guessing themselves, leading to indecisiveness and difficulty making decisions.

In relationships, nervous people may be overly accommodating or eager to please, leading to a lack of boundaries and potential resentment.

They may seek reassurance or validation from others, potentially leading to clingy or needy behavior.

Nervous people may struggle with trust, leading to suspicion or jealousy in relationships.

They may be hypersensitive to criticism or rejection, leading to defensiveness or avoidance of conflict.

Christopher John Francis Boone from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Greg Gaines from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Eleanor from Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Oskar Schell from Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Caddy Compson from The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Don Tillman from The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write nervous characters:

Start by brainstorming situations in which your character might feel nervous. These could be everyday scenarios (such as public speaking or going on a first date) or more extreme circumstances (like being held at gunpoint or facing a life-threatening illness).

Experiment with different approaches to dialogue. For instance, you might have your character speak in short, clipped sentences when they're nervous or have them ramble on incoherently. You might also have them struggle to find the right words or repeat themselves.

Consider how your character physically reacts to stress and anxiety. Do they sweat profusely, tremble, or have difficulty breathing? Do they bite their nails, fidget with their hands, or pace back and forth? Use these details to show the reader how your character is feeling.

Think about your character's thoughts and internal dialogue. Are they worrying about what others think of them? Are they second-guessing themselves or obsessing over worst-case scenarios? Use these thoughts to give readers insight into your character's mindset.

Consider using sensory details to create a vivid picture of your character's surroundings. For example, you might describe the way a character's palms sweat when they're holding a cold glass, or the sound of their heartbeat pounding in their ears.

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MASTER LIST of Gestures and Body Language!

Gestures and body language

matter a lot in fiction because nonverbal communication is so important. Gestures can help readers visualize a scene and get a feel for the characters. They can also set up lines of dialogue so you don’t have a string of he said, she said, he asked, etc., running down the page.

How to describe body language and gestures in writing may seem simple, but I find that when I’m in the middle of writing a scene, sometimes I draw a blank! It’s easy to wind up with characters who are nodding and shrugging all the time. Hopefully this list will help make writing body language easier.

You might want to consider which gestures or what body language is typical for each of your characters. For instance, one of my characters in the novel I just finished tends to hug herself when she’s nervous, while another has a habit of rubbing at his shoulder when he’s uncomfortable. They only do it a few times each throughout the book, but I think details like that make characters feel more solid.

For a great guide to what body language means, I recommend What Every BODY Is Saying , by former FBI counterintelligence offer Joe Navarro and body language expert Marvin Karlins.

Some of the things in my list are not exactly body language or gestures, but are useful for dialogue tags. As with my list of facial expressions , I’ve included some different ways to say the same thing. There are some longer phrases and sentences, which you can obviously rewrite and adjust as you like, although you don’t have to.

Let me know if you have gestures or body language to add to this list! 

Master List of Gestures and Body Language

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

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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 they 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 they 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 they 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

she gestured with her coffee cup

they gesture with their pen

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

A slightly expanded version of this list of body language and gestures appears in my book Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More. Click on the cover to check it out!

Do you have thoughts or advice about how to use gestures or describe body language in writing? Let us know in the comments! Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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Writing Body Language: Bringing Your Characters to Life

Body language is an essential part of bringing your characters to life, and yet, many writers struggle to find a balance between drawing no attention to the characters’ body language and obsessing over the way their characters move. If you don’t describe how your characters move in a scene, you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities to showcase their personality, while forcing them to move through emotional scenes like robots. Too much focus on body language, however, can come across as redundant, pointless, and boring.

If you struggle to convey realistic body language in your stories, don’t feel bad! Many other writers are in the same boat. With a little bit of help and direction, you’ll be adding subtle movements and gestures into your writing without even thinking about it in no time!

Why Body Language is Important in Writing

Nonverbal cues make up a large part of communication, so if you aren’t drawing attention to how your characters move and emote, your readers will be missing elements of what they’re communicating. 

Not only that, but body language has many important uses in stories, such as:

• Keeping dialogue interesting
• Setting the tone of the scene
• Conveying emotion
• Hinting at hidden emotions, deception, and true feelings
• Hinting at relationships between characters, such as tension, romantic feelings, or distrust
• Illustrating parts of a character’s personality

Finally, body language is a key element of utilizing the technique “Show, Don’t Tell.” By using body language to indicate certain emotions, relations, and personality traits, you are allowing readers to make inferences about these things themselves. This can help to further invest readers into your story by making them feel like they are playing a part in deciphering what is going on. It is also much more fun to read than statements like “he felt angry” or “he looked at her sadly.”

If you want some guidance on how else you can use this technique, check out my other article Show, Don’t Tell: What It Is and How to Use It .

Using Body Language to Enhance Dialogue

It’s no secret that long stretches of dialogue and lengthy conversations often feel like they’re dragging on. When characters are talking for more than a few pages, it can start to get really tiring. 

One of the ways you can combat this is by describing what the characters are doing as they are conversing with one another. If the conversation is tense, are your characters behaving nervously? Are they fidgeting? If they’re arguing, what are they doing with their hands? Are they gesturing wildly, or standing stiffly in one place? 

Not only does this narration give readers a refreshing break from the dialogue, but it also gives the characters’ words more meaning. You can add context to the conversation by showing how the characters are feeling, moving, and emoting. 

One of the easiest ways to seamlessly integrate body language into a dialogue-heavy scene is with action beats. If you want to know more about that, check out the article Action Beats: What They Are and How to Use Them .

How to Show Body Language for Different Emotions

Body language is one of the easiest ways to convey how a character is feeling, since different emotions can influence the ways a character moves and the gestures they use. Drawing attention to a character’s body language can be a subtle way of hinting at how they’re feeling.

It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone experiences or expresses emotions in exactly the same way. Keep your characters consistent, and always take their personality into account when writing their body language. For example, a particularly stoic character may not emote dramatically, while a nervous character could behave more exaggeratedly. 

Keep in mind that this article is focusing mostly on body language . If you want to know how to write about facial expression, you should check out How to Describe Facial Expressions in Writing next. 

Excited Body Language

Excitement can be an overwhelming emotion. Excited characters are likely to have an abundance of energy, and without a way to talk about their excitement, they may feel as if they are about to explode. 

Remember that energy is the most important element of portraying excitement, so bring a little extra energy into everything the character does—whether that’s stirring soup or stocking shelves.

To show that your characters are excited, you could have them:

• Gesture wildly
• Talk a lot 
• Take up a lot of extra space in a scene, by gesturing wildly, being loud, or drawing a lot of attention
• Bounce around
• Cry happy tears
• Laugh loudly
• Be completely unable to sit still
• Grab onto others, and even shake them around
• Cross their arms or tuck their hands under their arms to control them
• Place a hand on their chest
• Clap their hands together
• Cover their face with their hands or peek through their fingers
• Randomly burst out giggling or laughing

If the character cannot properly contain or vent out their excitement, they can become restless, which results in fidgeting, speaking quickly or loudly, pacing around, and having trouble focusing. This is especially the case with children, who are often not emotionally mature enough to contain intense excitement. 

Excitement may also turn into anxiety as whatever the character is excited about draws near, since they may fear it won’t go as planned or meet their expectations. 

Happy Body Language

When a character is feeling happy, then they will be at peace with their surroundings, comfortable, and relaxed. There can also be a lot of overlap between happiness and excitement, however, so make sure you take that into consideration when determining how your character would be moving. 

Being in a good mood can result in your character having more patience for situations they otherwise wouldn’t, and their body language will reflect that. A happy character is likely going to be calm and receptive, and they may smile often, maintain eye contact longer, and gesture animatedly as they speak. They are also far more likely to touch others, especially those they are comfortable around or care about. 

To show that your character is feeling happy, you could have them: 

• Prop their head up on one arm and stare lovingly at something or someone
• Touch another character on the shoulder
• Laugh often
• Playfully shove or swat at another character
• Lock their hands behind their head
• Whistle or hum
• Skip, or walk with more bounce than usual
• Sit cross-legged or in a relaxed position
• Twist, bounce, or wiggle
• Clasp their hands together
• Lean back or settle in a relaxed position
• Angle their body (or even lean) towards another character
• Speak with a bubbly tone

Each character is going to have different behaviors, and those behaviors may change depending on the context. A naturally playful character will likely express joy more bombastically, while a more reserved character may only show small signs, such as a small smile and a relaxed posture. 

Angry Body Language

Anger is one of the easiest emotions to identify with body language. Anger is powerful , and it can be hard to conceal, so it typically results in many telltale signs.

An angry character may:

• Clench their fists
• Lean towards other characters or intrude on others’ personal space
• Bare their teeth
• Widen their stance and stand tensely
• Bang on tables
• Throw things, or pretend to do so
• Gesture aggressively, such as waving fists, imitating striking something, or stomping
• Cry, though maintain an aggressive stance
• Spit while they speak
• Point or jab at other characters
• Get red in the face

Anger makes people want to lash out, so in addition to behaviors like those listed above, you can weave aggressive gestures into everything the character does. If you’ve ever seen anyone aggressively buckle a seatbelt or angrily organize a stack of mail, then you know what I mean. 

However, not every character is going to be willing to give in to their anger, and they may be more conscious of their own body language. Characters who want to control their anger will behave differently, though it should still be equally obvious to readers how the character is feeling. If a character is at work or otherwise in public, then they are much more likely to try to keep a lid on their anger. 

When a character is trying to control their anger, they may:

• Force a deadpan expression
• Breathe slowly and deliberately
• Stand tensely, without moving much or walking around
• Speak in a low tone or keep their voice down
• Stand straight up with their shoulders squared
• Cross their arms
• Rub their face, temples, neck, hands, or arms
• Cover their mouth
• Pretend not to care about whatever is making them angry
• Take a walk 

Angry body language is also very similar to tense or frustrated body language. A tense character may be more likely to freeze up or shut down, while a frustrated character will gradually get more aggressive if they cannot escape from what is frustrating them. 

Nervous Body Language

It is usually easy to tell when a character is nervous because they will have a lot of restless energy to deal with—which often results in a lot of fidgeting. Nervousness is a precursor to fear, but it also has a lot in common with embarrassment. 

Nervous characters are likely to:

• Pick at things, such as their nails and lips or objects around them
• Play with their hair
• Tap on objects or other parts of their body
• Chew on their lips or nails
• Glance around the room and behind themselves
• Move stiffly
• Sway slightly as they stand
• Tremble, both with their body and their voice
• Avoid eye contact with others 

Depending on what is making a character nervous, they might try to conceal their nerves. At a job interview or date, for example, a character is likely to try controlling their nerves by using a variety of coping mechanisms, such as focusing on their breathing, keeping their hands in their pockets, or talking constantly to avoid awkward silence. 

While we’re on the topic of controlling nerves, have your nervous character also engage in self-soothing behaviors when they are nervous, such as:

• Running a hand through their own hair
• Rubbing the back of their neck
• Humming quietly
• Sighing or clearing their throat
• Pinching the bridge of their nose
• Rubbing their hands together
• Wrapping their arms around their upper body (or around their knees, if they are seated)

These motions are always going to be specific to the character, so pick a few per character and try to keep them consistent whenever the character in question is feeling nervous. 

Nervousness is about more than just body language. Check out How to Write a Nervous Character for more tips on writing about your character’s nerves. 

Scared Body Language

When a character gets scared, the first thing that will happen is the “ fight or flight ” response will be triggered, causing a release of adrenaline. This causes dilated pupils, trembling, quickened heartbeat, fast breathing, and flushed skin. Characters will suddenly experience a rush of energy, and they may react to stimuli (such as noise or touch) quickly—or even violently.

This adrenaline response is instinctive, and it allows a person to protect themself when they are in danger, by giving them the energy to flee or fight off the threat. However, your characters are likely to get spooked in situations where a threat isn’t easily identifiable—or even present at all. Characters could be scared of another person, a concept, a specific animal, a loud noise, and any number of other things. Regardless, that adrenaline response is still going to impact them the same. 

A character who is scared may:

• Grab onto other characters or objects suddenly
• Recoil, lean away, or retreat several steps
• Cover their face with their hands
• Wrap their arms around their torso
• Hold their arms up as if to strike at something
• Drift away from whatever is frightening them
• Angle their body away, as if prepared to run at any moment
• Flinch at the slightest noise, feeling, movement, etc
• Chew on something, such as their own lips, nails, clothing, hair, etc
• Shake or flap their hands around to “shake off” the adrenaline
• Shrink themself away, drawing their limbs close to their body
• Hide behind another character or object
• Stare at something intensely
• Avoid eye contact
• Sweat profusely
• Hyperventilate
• Go pale or flushed
• Speak quickly and repeat words, or not speak at all
• Speak in a hushed, shrill, or raspy voice
• Clench their jaw
• Force a smile
• Clutch their hands together tightly
• Stumble or act clumsily

Another unfortunate consequence of adrenaline is nausea. This nausea will be worse the longer a character is frightened, and if they aren’t able to use their adrenaline, they will be left feeling shaky, sick to their stomach, and with a throbbing headache. It is not uncommon for someone to throw up as a result of being frightened. 

Sad Body Language

Unlike many of the other emotions described above, sadness results in a lack of energy. Everything your character attempts to do will consume much more of their energy, and they may simply give up on simple tasks such as showering or making dinner. 

Sadness is not the same as depression (depression isn’t an emotion, but a medical condition), but there is a lot of overlap between the two states—especially in regard to body language. 

A character who is sad may:

• Move much slower than usual
• Curl up in a ball when seated
• Have bad posture
• Act lethargic
• Snap at others or show signs of anger or frustration
• Drag their feet as they walk
• Have a slow reaction time
• Keep their head angled downward and look at the ground
• Zone out (stare off at nothing, with little to no awareness of what is going on around them)
• Swallow more audibly and frequently
• Cover their head, face, ears, or neck with their hands
• Lay their head on a surface, like a table or wall
• Hide their face in the crook of their elbow
• Speak in a low, monotone voice
• Wipe or rub at their eyes and face
• Press their palms against their eyes
• Let their hair hang in front of their face
• Blink rapidly or look to the sky to keep tears from slipping out of their eyes
• Breath slowly and deeply

Sadness can make everything seem much harder to do, and if your character is truly sad, they may not have the energy to even try to do anything. They are also likely to be more apathetic about everything, and not see the point of putting in the energy to shower, eat, or get enough rest. Characters who are experiencing intense sadness, grief, or depression may also self-harm or turn to substances like alcohol to cope. 

If your characters are using alcohol to cope with sadness, then that is going to completely change the body language they display and the way you should write it. If you want help with that, you should check out How to Write a Drunk Character next. 

Disgusted Body Language

Disgust, like fear, is an emotion that is driven by instinct. Humans experience disgust to keep them away from things that could infect them or make them sick in some way. Anything that is considered offensive (or potentially harmful) to any of the five senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound) can elicit a disgusted reaction—for example, the smell of rotten food or the sound of something gooey being squished.

However, disgust can also be triggered by another character’s political ideas, hobbies, behaviors, or preferences. That also means that disgust can be influenced by culture, since certain foods or behaviors might be considered normal in one culture, but gross and unacceptable in another. Disgust, when directed at another person’s traits or behaviors, is more often described as “contempt,” but that emotion also comes with an inherent sense of superiority.

When a character is disgusted, the most important thing to keep in mind is that they will be doing whatever they can to get away from the thing that is disgusting them. A character experiencing disgust may also:

• Recoil, or take several steps back
• Cover their mouth with their hand
• Squint their eyes
• Feel nauseous 
• Flinch or recoil at being touched, or at feeling certain objects
• Swallow hard and often
• Gag or choke
• Shake their head side-to-side
• Stick out their tongue
• Avoid being touched
• Close their eyes
• Hold their arms up by their torso or chest
• Cover their nose, ears, eyes, etc 
• Move away from other characters and maintain a large radius of personal space

The context for the character’s disgusted reaction matters tremendously. A character reacting to a nasty smell is not going to behave in the same way as a character who is learning about their aunt’s strange weekend plans. 

The Body Language of Attraction

Every romance writer wants to know how to amp up the chemistry between their characters, and subtly weaving body language cues throughout the text is one of the best ways to do that. By having each character indicate that they are attracted to each other with their behaviors long before a real romance begins to bud, your readers will be more likely to accept the relationship between the two characters. 

When a character experiences attraction for another character, they will experience a sense of awe (that “oh my gosh, they’re beautiful ” moment). This is commonly associated with a warm feeling in the chest, an increased heart rate, and dilated eyes. 

A character who is attracted to another character in the room is likely to:

• Point their feet at the person they are interested in, instead of pointing them away or in separate directions
• Tilt their head to the side
• Maintain eye contact with the person they are interested in
• Blink faster than normal (but not like a Disney Princess fluttering her eyelashes)
• Face their whole body towards the person they are interested in, instead of pivoting or turning their head to look at them
• Run their hand through their hair in a big, sweeping motion, or twirling with the ends of long hair
• Mirror the body language of the person they are attracted to
• Stand up straight and puff out their chest
• Speak with a lighter, softer tone to their voice
• Steal glances at the person they are attracted to (especially when the other person isn’t looking)
• Look at the lips of the person they are attracted to
• Lick their lips
• Smile often
• Push the boundaries of personal space
• Straighten out their clothes, fix their hair, or otherwise attempt to keep their appearance in-check
• Maintain an open posture, such as with their hands behind their back, their arms at their sides, or their hands on their hips

There’s a lot that goes into conveying good chemistry between characters. If you want some more specific instruction for writing about chemistry, attraction, and love, head over to Romance 101: How to Write Characters Falling in Love . 

Body Language and Personality in Character Creation

When you’re creating a new character, you should take the time to consider how they move, and the ways they cope with their emotions. In fact, the way a character moves is just as important as the ways they look or behave. Giving a character distinct body language can take a well-designed character and bring them to life in your readers’ imaginations. 

Body language is a powerful tool for creating distinct characters. Every person in the world has their own specific ways of reacting to different emotions and situations, and everyone has different behavioral quirks. By taking the time to consider a character’s personal body language and the ways they gesture and move, you are adding in another layer of individuality that makes them unique. 

When designing a character’s body language, it can be helpful to make a list of the most common emotions. (You can even take inspiration from the table of contents for this article!) Under each emotion, write out just a few distinct behaviors for the character to utilize in situations where they would feel that emotion. For example, maybe a character will always clear their throat when they get nervous, or they have a habit of tugging at their earlobe when they are happy. 

Those aren’t the only behaviors the character can use, but they should always be present whenever the character is feeling the emotion in question. This keeps them consistent and allows readers to pick up on how that character is feeling as they get more familiar with them.

Avoid Excessive Use of Characters’ Body Language

Although body language is important to include in your stories, you should be careful not to overdo it. Humans (and other humanoids, of course) move constantly , but that doesn’t mean you should draw attention to every micro-expression and subtle gesture they make. Only point out the behaviors that are relevant to the situation, or those that illustrate something about the character in question. If you overdo it, body language can really clutter up your scenes and add a lot of unnecessary length to your draft. Remember writers, there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing.”

Start your free trial to access brainstorming lists of body language, thoughts, vocal cues, and sensations for over 130 emotions. Writing can be easier!

ANTICIPATION

APPREHENSION

CONNECTEDNESS

DEFENSIVENESS

DESPERATION

DETERMINATION

DEVASTATION

DISAPPOINTMENT

DISCOURAGEMENT

DISILLUSIONMENT

DISSATISFACTION

EMASCULATION

EMBARRASSMENT

FEARLESSNESS

FRUSTRATION

HOMESICKNESS

HOPEFULNESS

HUMILIATION

INDIFFERENCE

INDIGNATION

INTIMIDATION

NERVOUSNESS

OVERWHELMED

PEACEFULNESS

POWERLESSNESS

RESIGNATION

SATISFACTION

SCHADENFREUDE

SELF-LOATHING

UNAPPRECIATED

UNCERTAINTY

VENGEFULNESS

VINDICATION

VULNERABILITY

WISTFULNESS

WORTHLESSNESS

MINI LESSON

No two characters should express emotion the same way. To avoid reusing tired gestures or slipping into telling, use this thesaurus to brainstorm fresh body language, visceral sensations, and thoughts to express your character’s emotions in ways that make sense for them.

EMOTION AMPLIFIERS

BEING STUCK

BEREAVEMENT

BRAINWASHING

CHRONIC PAIN

COGNITIVE BIAS

COGNITIVE DECLINE

COMPETITION

CONFINEMENT

DEHYDRATION

DISTRACTION

HORMONAL IMBALANCE

HYPERACTIVITY

INSTABILITY

INTOXICATION

MALNUTRITION

MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION

MORTAL PERIL

PANIC ATTACK

PHYSICAL DISORIENTATION

PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITION

SENSORY OVERLOAD

SLEEP DEPRIVATION

SUBSTANCE WITHDRAWAL

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How to Describe Gestures in Writing

By A.W. Naves

You can really bring out the characters in your book through the use of body language in your narrative. We’ll show you how to describe gestures in writing in this post. Scroll down to learn about 10 words that you can use.

Anxious, apprehensive ; feeling uneasy or worried.

“She bit her nails and tapped her foot, making her appear nervous to the jurors.”

“His fidgeting and head-scratching were nervous gestures that revealed how distraught he was during the interrogation.”

How it Adds Description

The word “nervous” conveys a state of unease or anxiety, revealing inner emotional turmoil. The fidgeting of fingers, pacing back and forth, or biting of lips all become manifestations of an underlying nervousness. It hints at a character’s apprehension about events that may later become significant developments that affect the arc of the story.

2. Confident

Self-assured, certain ; displaying a sense of poise and assurance.

“She stood tall with her head held high, trying to appear more confident than she felt.”

“His firm handshake and prolonged eye contact reflected his confident state of mind.”

The word “confident” suggests a sense of self-assurance, poise, and certainty in their actions. Such gestures might include standing tall, maintaining eye contact, speaking with authority, or making decisive movements. A confident character is more likely to take risks, make bold decisions, and face challenges head-on, thus influencing the direction and pace of the story.

3. Agitated

Disturbed, restless ; displaying signs of anxiety or irritability.

“He paced back and forth, his agitated pointing as he spoke betraying his inner turmoil.”

“Her clenched fists and furrowed brow made it quite obvious just how agitated she was.”

The word “agitated” implies that a character is displaying signs of inner turmoil or heightened emotions. Agitated gestures can indicate a character’s increasing frustration, anxiety, or anger, creating a sense of urgency and propelling the narrative toward a climactic moment or a crucial turning point in the story.

4. Flirtatious

Playful, suggestive ; displaying behavior intended to attract or charm someone.

“She twirled her hair and flashed a flirtatious smile, batting her eyelashes as she spoke.”

“His raised eyebrow and sly wink were unmistakably flirtatious gestures that made my husband uncomfortable.”

The word “flirtatious” illustrates a sense of coquetry, charm, or romantic interest. By using this word, the writer can create a dynamic atmosphere, teasing the reader with the possibility of romantic or interpersonal tension. This description might be a precursor to introducing a potential love interest, creating intrigue, or even setting the stage for future conflicts or alliances.

5. Hesitant

Uncertain, tentative ; displaying a lack of confidence or reluctance.

“She was hesitant , chewing her lip and glancing around before slipping the note to the bank teller.”

“His shuffling feet and averted gaze betrayed his hesitant nature and reluctance to act.”

The word “hesitant” hints at a sense of hesitation, doubt, or insecurity in a character’s movements, emphasizing their internal struggle or conflicting emotions. It not only provides readers with a more nuanced image of the character’s body language but also serves to deepen their understanding of the character’s state of mind as the plot unfolds.

6. Apologetic

Regretful, remorseful ; displaying gestures that express remorse.

“He bowed his head and clasped his hands together in an apologetic stance meant to garner leniency from the judge.”

“She appeared apologetic with downcast eyes and slumped shoulders, but the security guard couldn’t just ignore her attempted theft.”

The word “apologetic” illustrates that a character’s movements are characterized by a sense of regret, remorse, or an earnest desire to make amends. It allows the reader to empathize with their internal struggles and the external consequences of their actions. It can spawn conversations, spur characters into action, and even serve as a catalyst for twists and turns in the story.

Rebellious, resistant ; displaying gestures that defy authority or challenge the status quo.

“He crossed his arms and squared his shoulders in an openly defiant gesture of contempt.”

“Her clenched fists and defiant stare showed her resistance to adhering to the rules set forth by the New Republic Council.”

The word “defiant” suggests that a person is acting in defiance of authority, norms, or expectations. This word imbues the gestures with a distinct energy, emphasizing the character’s determination, strength, and refusal to conform. It can set the stage for clashes with antagonistic forces, and moral dilemmas, and signal opportunities for growth or transformation.

8. Comforting

Soothing, consoling ; displaying gestures that provide comfort or solace to others.

“She reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder in a gesture of kindness.”

“His warm smile and reassuring pat on the back were extremely comforting .”

The word “comforting” portrays gestures as having a sense of solace, reassurance, and emotional support. It can be used to convey the compassionate nature of the action and portray the character as empathetic and caring. This deepens the readers’ connection to the characters and moves the plot forward by fostering a sense of trust, fostering alliances, or resolving conflicts.

9. Menacing

Threatening, intimidating ; displaying gestures that evoke a sense of danger or impending harm.

“He was clenching his fists and waving around his arms in a menacing manner meant to intimidate his opponent.”

“Her narrowed eyes and snarl revealed the level of her menacing intent toward her sister.”

The word “menacing” allows the reader to envision a particular gesture as more than just a simple action, instilling it with an undertone of hostility or impending harm. It effectively heightens the tension and builds suspense within the narrative, indicating potential conflicts, foreshadowing danger, or hinting at a forthcoming confrontation.

10. Dismissive

Disregarding, ignoring ; displaying gestures that indicate a lack of interest or contempt.

“He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, signaling that he was done listening to my pitch.”

“She rolled her eyes and turned her back in a dismissive manner that only angered her professor more.”

The word “dismissive” depicts someone who is making a conscious effort to diminish or belittle someone or something. This word captures the tone and intention behind the gestures, emphasizing the character’s lack of interest or respect. It highlights the character’s attitude and their impact on the situation or other characters.

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19,898 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

nervous or anxious - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• Feeling anxious
• Masking fear
• starting at a new school
• territorial

Nervous or anxious feelings are there to protect you; yet all they are really asking you to do is check for traffic before you cross the road. It's a protective mechanism, traffic lights that turn green once you have done your due diligence.

I'm nervous or anxious when I'm about to do something big, and so these emotions have become markers for me to find my bravery, to go forwards, to tell myself that I am worthy of success and that by doing so I can bring goodness to others.

I'd be more concerned if you weren't anxious or nervous, because there is all the difference in the world between brave and foolhardy. You are brave, so you have these feelings. It's good. It makes you more reliable and solid.

Feeling nervous or anxious is an invitation to check in with myself, to have that moment of tuning into my emotions and finding the best way forwards. Often... well... always.... I live at the intersection of needing adventure and feeling shy... so at these times if I give the shy aspect of my personality a bit of nurture, the adventurous aspect can have its chance in on stage.

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Cheat Sheets For Writing Body Language

What is body language and how do you use it when you write? Use these cheat sheets to help you with your body language descriptions.

What Is Body Language?

People react to situations with micro-expressions, hand gestures, and posture. Most of us are not even aware of them. However, what we do with our body language has a huge impact on other people and how they interpret and perceive us.

‘Even when they don’t express their thoughts verbally, most people constantly throw off clues to what they’re thinking and feeling. Non-verbal messages communicated through the sender’s body movements, facial expressions, vocal tone and volume, and other clues are collectively known as body language.’ ( Psychology Today )

Body language happens when we are doing something. We could be sitting, standing, or walking. We could be talking or thinking . Body language is often an involuntary reaction to something perceived by one of the five senses .

How To Use It In Writing

Using body language is one of the best ways to show and not tell when we write.

This is why we are always told to use body language in our writing. Sometimes, it’s easier said than written. So, I created these cheat sheets to help you show a character’s state of mind through their body language.

When you are completing your character biographies , be sure to include how your main characters move and talk. This is especially important for your protagonist , antagonist , confidant , and love interest . They are the characters that hold the story together and they should be as well-rounded and believable as possible.

The Top Five Tips For Using Body Language

• Use body language to add depth to dialogue .
• Use it because more than 50% of human communication is non-verbal.
• Use it to show how your character’s emotions affect their actions.
• Use it to help you show rather than tell your reader everything.
• Use it in moderation. If overused, it can slow your story down.

TIP: Use our Character Creation Kit  to create great characters for your stories.

Use this list to help you with your body language descriptions. It will help you to translate emotions and thoughts into written body language.

Obviously, a character may exhibit a number of these behaviours. For example, they may be shocked and angry, or shocked and happy.

Use these combinations as needed.

Use our  Character Creation Kit  to create great characters for your stories.

If you enjoyed this, read:

• The 17 Most Popular Genres In Fiction – And Why They Matter
• How To Write A One-Page Synopsis
• 123 Ideas For Character Flaws – A Writer’s Resource
• The 7 Critical Elements Of A Great Book
• All About Parts Of Speech
• Punctuation For Beginners
• 5 Incredibly Simple Ways to Help Writers Show and Not Tell
• 5  Instances When You Need To Tell (And Not Show)
• The 4 Main Characters As Literary Devices
• 106 Ways To Describe Sounds

Source for skeleton image

Top Tip : Find out more about our workbooks and online courses in our shop .

• Body Language , Creating Characters , Show Don't Tell , Writing Tips from Amanda Patterson

53 thoughts on “Cheat Sheets For Writing Body Language”

Wow….that’s probably one of the most useful lists I’ve ever seen…thanks!

Very useful…simply superb. Will be handy for me when I sit down to write next time.

A mullion trillion thanks for this incredibly useful page of “show” instead of telling. Thank you xx

I would have liked to pin this on pint rest 🙁

This is the best of the “show” lists I have either made or found. Superb.

Love, love, love these! Thanks for compiling them. I’m going to share them and put them in a file to resource. Michelle Random Writing Rants

This is very useful.

Its really helpful….

great post really!!! thanks for sharing

This is one of the most helpful writer’s guide posts I have ever seen. It is so hard not to write “He looked at her in awe”, but think about the specific body language in that situation. It also helps think about the traits a character can have… Every person is different so one can even put individuality into the writing by giving certain characters characteristic emotional expressions.

Thank you so much for sharing this!!

Thank you, Kimberley.

I know I’ll be referring back to this list often. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thank you, Melissa.

Perhaps this is the best way to hone up the writing skills of one’s own and I should be very thankful to you for helping the writers through this .

This is dangerous if astute advice. Anything that aids progress writing is useful, but anything that aids progress stops you thinking – and it is only by thinking that he universe opens a portal and pours out something original.

Great information not only for writing but observation of these behaviors in action. As a school counselor I am interested in non-verbal cues from others.

Great work! high degree of observation! really impressed.

This is great. There is one word that comes up SO OFTEN that it is distracting to me as a reader and that is “gaze.” People are gazing at things, at each other, they’re gazing all over the place. One time I counted the number of times “gaze” was used in a book and found an instance of 5 times in 4 consecutive pages. But another book used “gaze” 5 times in 4 consecutive PARAGRAPHS. Why the editors don’t catch this is beyond me. My favorite “gaze” quote from a book is, “Her brown gaze settled upon the distant mountains.” That didn’t make me think of her brown eyes. My first thought was that she was seeing smog! Is it strange to say a color with “gaze”? I’ve also seen something like, “His blue gaze swung up.” (the man was driving at the time) It sounds strange to me, but maybe that’s just me. The book with the distant mountains sentence used “gaze” heavily from the second page all the way to the second to the last paragraph! It was painful to read. I got rid of the book.

Very helpful to have this all in one place! Thanks!!!

Thank you! This is great! 🙂

Thank you for this post. It’s very helpful.

This is a good list. But I believe we can always be a little more creative in mixing them up to denote various degrees and subtleties in an emotion.

Yes, Ayan. As it says in the post: ‘Obviously, a character may exhibit a number of these behaviours. For example, he may be shocked and angry, or shocked and happy. Use these combinations as needed.’

These cheat sheets are worth their weight in gold! Thank you for taking the time to put them together.

AWESOME! I was just speaking with a friend who mentioned I needed to do this a little more. Thank you so much.

such an amazingly helpful post! Thank you!

Thank you. We’re glad you find this useful.

Melody, Would have ditched that book too. That’s just bad writing.

Please send me any further articles you put out. This one is very helpful. It makes us aware of the use of each movement as a symbol of inner thought. Thanks

This is the most helpful article I have read about telling vs. Showing. Thank you.

Thank you, Wendy.

Thanks for this really usefull I find that I use the same emotions over and over.

Thank you! This is an excellent reference for a desirable result.

“Excellent list,” she said, rubbing her hands together and grinning. ; ) Thank you!

Thank you, Melissa! I love it!!

Excellent!!

I read this very useful and generous article on stumbleupon.com Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me!

Thank you for the positive feedback. I’m pleased that this helps.

Thank you for this :))

Thanks for the helpful post! Great resource for the scripts I’m co-writing.

Simply superb compilation ! No more adjectives.

Thank you! We’re glad that you find these lists helpful.

Very useful! Thank you so much!

What a succinct and useful list!

“Unfortunately,” (pause, lips pursed indicating deliberation and thought) “these are almost” (stress on final word, downward tilt of the head with slight inclination to the left as the speaker maintains gaze on listener indicating mock-serious intent) “entirely” (extra stress on this word, head lifts and turns full-on indicating intent) “cliché” (jaw firms, slight downward shift of the brow, eyes narrow indicating mild annoyance.) “Sorry” (head lifts, jaw pushes out, eyebrows raised indicating belligerence and complete lack of genuine apology).

quite informative, and precise. thanks.

i’m highly grateful to you, thanks a lot n million, may god bless you a long and happy life

This is so useful! Thank you, thank you very much!

OMG! I impressed to read it. Really, you are doing good job.

Very informative thanks!

I need something different for pleading. and it’s not on the list. Why is the emotion I want not almost never on the lists? xP (Arg)

Comments are closed.

© Writers Write 2022

Describing Fear

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Fear is a re-occurring emotion in fiction especially in thrillers. Use the following examples to accurately describe the level of fear your character is experiencing.

A stab of fear

A prick of fear

These thoughts are like needles jabbing at my skin

Fear/ sweat prickles over my skin

All of my anxieties come tumbling back

Dizzying sense of anxiety

It sends a brusque bolt of shock right through me

A bullet of panic rises in my throat

Eyes darkened with worry

Darkness gathered in her eyes and filled it

My stomach flips

Paralyzed by fear

Consumed by paranoia

Vibrating with anxiety

Wobbling with shock

Fear crawls over my body, prickling my skin

Fear squeezes the air from my lungs

A blind panic

Worry gnaws away at me

I sigh with despair

An icy cold calm washes over me chilling thought

All I feel is desperate despair

I feel a rush of fear

My stomach churns

Panic surges through me

I feel a dull ache in my chest

My throat squeezes shut

A deep sense of uneasiness held me rigid

Her gaze went through me like a blast of Ice

She gave me a quick nervous glance

She threw me a warning glance

She drew a sharp breath

I could hear the slow, dragging beat of my heart

My heart was clenching with dread

She felt a sharp bolt of fear

She felt a flutter of panic

It gave me chills

She made terrible, strangled sounds

I felt as if I couldn’t breathe

The weight of my anxiety

I said with alarm

Fear chilled my heart

Her face was a mask of alarm

I felt my spirits sink

I felt my chest constrict

I swallowed hard

I was frowning with worry

He was overcome by a flat sense of depression

My heart gave a lurch

My heart was hampering in my chest

She looked at me with fear in her eyes

Rigid with fear

Choked with horror

A harassing anxiety

Frozen in silence

I realized with a kind of panic

There was a faint note of hysteria in her eyes

My nerves were on fire

His eyes were lined with anxiety

I watched with numb horror

Tumbling anxiety

His eyes were flat with resignation

Feeling the cursing wave of despair

Her face grew dramatically stricken

My muscles stiffened

Panic bloomed in my chest

His eyes were big and worried

An anxious expectancy rose in his chest

She turned pink with distress

My heart turned cold

My insides dropped with disappointment and fear

Ravaged with despair

Chagrined – feel distressed to humiliated – he was chagrined when his friend poured scorn on him.

His face was flat and white

Our throats clenched

My breath caught in my throat

Her eyes jumped with fear

He went cold at the thought

A child crept through him

A tingling dread crept through her body

He glanced urgently at her, eyes wide, sweat beading on his lip

His heart was thundering

His face turned grey

The words thudded in his skull

Dread crawled up his spine

His pulsed raced

Filled with dread

A shuddering sigh

Churning in his gut

I took a hot, impatient breath

My blood went cold

I saw a glint of fear in her eye

A twinge of fear

Mu insides tighten

Fear prickled at the base of my spine

Her pulse skyrocketed

Her knees buckled

My skin prickles

Panic roared through me

She felt a tingling coarse through her

Her voice was shaking

My stomach / Legs / insides turn to jelly

My voice was frozen in my throat

The hair on my arms / back of my neck stand up

Anxiety gnaws at me 

My heart jack hammers

My mind is roaring with panic

I startle awake

The shrill sound had made her heart take flight

My throat thickens

My heart buckled

A tangled mass of anxiety

I feel sick with fear

The hairs on my arm prickle

A sense of menace

They stare in silent horror

Hi face was white with fear

Eyes wide with fear

She felt the blood drain from her face.

Sweating with nerves

He looks at her in growing horror

Her anxiety, spiking

She feels a terrible anxiety creeping over her

A troubled sleep

A clutch of fear at her heart

I feel light headed as if I might be sick

He feels a tremor of fear go up his spine

The ensuing silence is one laden with terror

She feels the bile rising in her throat

Her adrenaline surges

Frozen in disbelief

A chilll creeps over her like cold fingers over her body

Adrenaline shoots through her system

Her heart begins to beat wildly

Her heart knocking at her ribs

He can feel himself unravelling

She blanches slightly

A suggestion of panic

I take a sharp breath in

Fear rushes over her, a dark suffocating wave

Cold fingers of fear brushed against her neck

Bile rising in her throat

Her heart was thudding at the back of her throat

A mask of blank terror

Something inside her wrenched and soured

A flash of white, hot terror

Her heart seized

She felt a clutch of fear

Paper thin nerves

His legs went weak

The blind terror on her face

Rising tide of panic

A spark of fear

HIs knee began to judder under the desk

A lick of fear went up his spine

A stifling wave of fear swept over me

A terrible sickening dread came over me

The sight of him slows my blood

Fear shimmers through out my body. It’s hard to breathe

Fury seizes me

Panic shoots through me

The panic thrums

He takes a shaky breath

His chest tightened

Unease unfurled in her chest

An icy current went up and down my spine.

I felt sweat cling to the back of my neck, dampening my hair

A thrill of fear

My nerves jangle

My chest constricted and my throat closed

A fist of panic squeezes me inside

She stood with alarm

Her spine tingling with fear

She watches, her nerves splintering

A scream rumbled up her throat

Her throat closed up in terror

A slike of anxiety

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Amazing! I’m a 14-year-old author and these phrases are absolutely amazing! I’m so glad that I stumbled upon this website 🙂

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KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers

Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

75+ Ways to Say “Heart Pounded”: A Word List for Writers

Do you fall back on the heart pounded phrase whenever your characters are afraid or stressed? Guess what, dear writer. There’s a cure for that.

Ask Yourself Why ?

Before considering alternatives, you need to know why your protagonist’s heart is pounding.

Here are just a few activities, emotions, and external factors that could make a person’s heart beat faster:

• physical exertion like climbing, running a marathon, or swimming several lengths of the pool
• dehydration
• stress or conflict
• phobias and fears, which might also escalate into a panic attack
• sexual desire, love
• annoyance with telemarketers, noisy dogs, door-to-door salespeople, or slow restaurant service
• anticipation before attempting something like public speaking or cliff jumping
• other strong emotions such as anger , anxiety, defeat, disappointment, enthusiasm, excitement, fear, nervousness, worry
• mitral valve disease, tachycardia, or heart attack
• many other medical conditions
• hormonal changes
• caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
• medications such as decongestants, diet pills, and asthma inhalers
• some herbal preparations
• street drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine

If you need additional beats, consult a body language dictionary . (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Consider Other Possibilities

Once you’ve determined the reason for the pounding heart, investigate different ways of peeking behind the curtain. Although some of the following might be deemed cliché, evaluate emotion beats and physical manifestations you could substitute instead:

• racing pulse
• rising temperature
• light-headedness
• tingling skin
• breathlessness
• an unpleasant taste in the mouth
• dry mouth or tongue
• hyperventilation
• flushing face, neck, and upper torso

Dialogue Can Treat the Heart Pounded Disease While Maintaining Point of View

Unless you’re an omniscient narrator, you can’t know what other people in your narrative are feeling.

You might notice Jordan’s wheezing or flushing, but you would be unable to perceive an unpleasant taste in his mouth or his racing pulse. When Jordan experiences these physical signs, he might make a sour face and announce:

“That tastes horrible. Did you put MSG in it? My pulse is racing like a freight train.”

Yes, Joe used a cliché, but it’s all right. He’s speaking in character.

Cowboy Ken, our POV character, might declare his love for Susan something like this:

“Gosh darn it, Susie, can’t you tell how I feel about you? I’m all lathered up like an old stud horse chasin’ after a filly, and my heart’s poundin’ like a blacksmith’s hammer in my chest. C’mon, give me a chance. Please?”

Susan has a pounding heart too, but maybe you can introduce a hurdle:

Susan gazed at Ken from behind her fan. “You know I could never love you. You don’t have two cents to rub together in the pockets of those threadbare jeans, and I’m already promised to another.”

Her red cheeks and bright eyes reminded Ken of a mare in heat. Shucks. She was lying.

It’s up to readers to decide whether Ken has interpreted her feelings correctly. Of course you will provide clues or misdirection as appropriate, won’t you?

Now We Get to the List of Direct Replacements for Pounded

Note that some of these verbs are tells, which are appropriate when word count is limited. For instance, a groaning heart paints a different picture than a cartwheeling one. In each case, a single word describes how the protagonist is feeling .

A jackhammering heart could be the result of many emotions, which you can show elsewhere in your story or poem. Likewise with a rocketing or galloping heart. Consider the subtle nuances of each verb before choosing it.

Instead of pounded , try:

A to E ached, banged, beat, bounced, bounded, bumped, capered, careened, careered, cartwheeled, convulsed, danced, drummed, exploded

F to H faltered, fell, flailed, flapped, flip-flopped, flounced, fluttered, frolicked, froze, galloped, galumphed, gamboled, groaned, hammered, heaved, hopped

J to P jackhammered, jerked, jigged, jogged, joggled, jounced, juddered, jumped, knocked, leaped/leapt, lurched, palpitated, plummeted, pranced, pulsated, pulsed, pumped

Q and R quaked, quavered, quivered, raced, raged, reeled, reveled, rocketed, rollicked, romped

S sighed, skipped, soared, somersaulted, sped, sprinted, stormed, strutted, swaggered

T to W thrashed, throbbed, thudded, thumped, tossed, trembled, trotted, tumbled, vaulted, vibrated, writhed

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16 thoughts on “ 75+ Ways to Say “Heart Pounded”: A Word List for Writers ”

Thank you so much. And, why didn’t I discover your site earlier? I purchased your books today. I can’t wait to dive in and vary my character’s reactions. I was one ‘eyes wide’ away from gouging out my own.

It’s great to hear from you, Janelle. Thanks for buying the books. I’m glad you didn’t gouge out your eyes. 😉

Good luck with your writing, and stay safe!

I have been using this post for two days now. In my 100,000 word debut novel I must have said ‘her heart pounded’ a hundred times and now even I’m bored of saying it- heaven forbid I subject a reader to that. So, I’ve been editing them out, with the help of this post. Thanks

I’m so glad this helped you, Liz. Good luck with your novel, and stay safe.

This was super helpful!!! Like I am writing a book, where the character experience so much heart beating episodes and nervousness and this is exactly what I needed!!

Thank you so much❤❤

I’m so glad it helped you. Thanks for stopping by!

Very informative and useful

Thanks, Roel.

And thanks for stopping by!

Her heart prance like a hammer?

Could that be possible ma’am?

Thanks for your thoughts, Jonelyn. That’s an interesting phrase. I can see a couple of problems with it, though.

Hammers might pound or thump, but I can’t envision one prancing.

Ponies prance. A protagonist who is in love might have a heart that prances like a pony or a mustang. Or a peacock?

Anything too unusual might create a mental image that seems off to readers. Create a phrase, leave your WIP for a while, and then reread hours or days later. Does it convey your intended meaning without coming across as weird or purple prose? If not, try again. Ultimately, the narrative is yours and must convey your writer’s voice.

May the muse be with you!

Thanks, this is very helpful.

I’m glad you found the post useful, Conor. Thanks for dropping by!

This came at the right time. Had some ‘hearts beating faster’ here and there, now I can use something different. Thank you!

My heart cavorted when I read your remark. 🙂 Thanks, Tonia. Do you have any words or phrases you’d like me to work on for a future post?

Fab! Great list of ways to make this cliche less tired. Another one to bookmark 🙂

All thanks to Elise. Good idea! I’ll work on the others over the next few weeks.

On the 25th, I should have an interview with Alex Cabal online.

36 Creative Ways People Describe Their Anxiety to Those Who Don't Understand

Everyone knows what it’s like to feel nervous. It’s what rattles you before a big test, and what makes your heart beat a little faster before a first date. But for people who live with anxiety, it’s frustrating when your experience is likened to the everyday nervousness everyone feels.

Mighty contributor B.L. Acker knows this well. She wrote :

Whenever I start to explain the part of my mental illness diagnosis that includes severe anxiety, I always receive confused looks. They are usually followed by judgmental comments about how “everyone has problems and stress in their lives,” telling me that I need to “learn to cope and work through it all.”

To help people understand what her anxiety was like, Acker did something creative — she made an anxiety chart , similar to a pain level chart, and now uses it to explain how anxious she feels to loved ones.

Inspired by this, we wanted to see other creative ways people explain their anxiety to others who may not understand.

Here’s what our mental health community shared with us : 

1. “[Anxiety is] a gremlin who undermines you and sits there talking crap constantly.” —  Alex G.

2. “I named her Sierra. The girl in my head I can keep caged up sometimes. But she screams, so loudly and so horribly, that it breaks her cage. Then she brings out the club and mercilessly beats me up with everything I have ever done in my life, all while screaming at me that I’m a failure, and I deserve nothing good in my life. All I can do is curl up in the fetal position while she violently strikes me with the weight of my mistakes.” —  Sarah G.

3. “It’s like having super powers but having no control over them. It’s the strength of the Hulk, but it comes out as anger. It’s Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak, but you can’t choose when you get to wear it. It’s wanting to be as brave as Batman, but being too afraid to leave the bat cave. It’s knowing you are a superhero, but you are stuck in a body/mind that won’t let you. It’s wanting to save the world, but you can’t even save yourself.” —  Bex A.

4. “When I’m on the edge of a panic attack, it feels like my brain is breaking. Like it’s being split into two hemispheres.” —  Kerrie W.

5. “You know those special effects in movies when the character is moving in slow motion, but their surroundings are racing past them?  That’s what it’s like.” —  Alyssa K.

6. “It almost feels like your mind is stuck on vibrate and you can’t calm it down.” —  Roxy R.

7. “It’s the feeling of worry you get when you can’t sleep because you have an important exam the next morning. Except it’s there for many other reasons at many different times.” —  Anahita H.

8. “It’s like a thousand tabs are open at the same time and you have to watch them carefully, each one of them at the same time. But then everything closes down with no warning, and it’s like a fatal error, and nothing seems to work anymore.” —  Emu S.

9. “Panic attacks give you a pulse of adrenaline like you got rear-ended going 70 down the highway. All sense of fear and survival are heightened, but in actuality, you’re just in line at a cafe for a muffin.” —  Chandra G.

10. “It feels like you’re wading in water, and on your bad days you’re drowning and can’t catch your breath.” —  Kristen B.

11. “It’s having your body reacting to a real emergency while your brain is wondering what the emergency is — because there is not one. But your body continues and you cannot turn off the alarm.” —  Cathy W.

12. “It’s the panic-y feeling you get when you’re underwater in a dream and you think you’re drowning, when you can actually breath just fine.” —  Mikelle M.

13. “If you went skydiving for the first time and you pulled the ripcord and your chute didn’t open — my panic attacks feel like how you would feel in that second.” —  Kitty C.

14. “Imagine being stressed about a test. Your heart is racing, your breathing quickens… And now imagine having that feeling constantly — 24/7 for no reason and every reason at the same time.” —  Michelle W.

15. “It’s that bad feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when something bad is going to happen. Except it’s all the time, and you never find out what the bad thing that’s going to happen is.” —  Hali B.

16. “That constant feeling when you miss a step walking down stairs or you almost fall back in your chair.” —  Tim G.

17. “It’s like water sloshing in your stomach, you can feel it crashing around, hitting all sides, changing in intensity, getting worse and worse.” —  Kaitlyn R.

18. “I call it my shoulder devil because it’s always whispering horrible things in my head and I can’t stop it.” —  Alyson S.

19. “My anxiety is so bad at times that this is all I can do. Just sit and let it happen. I get so tired, I have no more fight.” —  Kelly H.

20. “It’s like the walls are closing in and you have no means of escape.” —  Heather S.

21. Submitted by  Lucy Hackett

22. “It’s like having a hamster on a hamster wheel or a carousel on steroids inside of your head.” — Madison A.

23. “Everything is screaming, even the silence.” — Chelsea G.  

24. “It’s like having your brain on overload. It’s on fire and you can’t put the fire out.” — Bethan L.

25. “This is what my brain looks like during an anxiety attack. I can’t formulate sentences or full ideas. I’m in a full panic.” — Kacey K

26. “I feel like my insides are going to explode.” — Tami G.  

27. “You know that three seconds of fear you get when you slip, trip, etc.? It’s like that. All day, every day.” — Stephanie Q.

28.  “You know that feeling of laughing so hard with your friend, you just look at them, and you start again and can’t stop. That on the opposite end of the spectrum. I cry and have no control over it. And I don’t know why I’m crying. Other than that, it would be feeling overwhelmed over little things.” — Coral M.

29. “You know that feeling you get when you’re faced with your greatest fear?  It’s like that … but for the littlest things like getting a haircut or something as simple as riding in a car.” — Reba E.

30. “Like trying to find air while you’re underwater. Impossible.” — Emma G.

31 . “It’s living with a feeling of doom constantly, or that you’ve forgotten something and can’t remember what.” — Christiana T.  

32. Submitted by Maree M.

33. “When you’re driving and see a cop car come out of nowhere and you get that rush of fear that you’ve done something wrong, when you haven’t and they are not there for you at all. But the feeling never leaves, even after the cop car has gone.” — Courtney D.

34. “You know that feeling of falling when you’re asleep? That moment of sheer panic when you jerk awake right before you realize you don’t have to be scared? It’s that. All the time.” — Meghan D.

35. “Like constant chatter jumping from subject to subject and going down a rabbit hole in my head.” — Jordan T.

36. “You know when you’re watching a scary movie and the music changes so you know there’s going to be a jump scare any moment and you don’t know when? It’s like that except the jump scare never comes.” — Nikki G.

How would you describe your anxiety to someone who doesn’t understand?

Former Mighty editor // Current MSW student // In love with helping people tell their stories

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How can you show a character trembling without telling the reader

I'm trying to write this scene where the character is trembling but it's unrealistically.

"My heart was pounding beneath my chest. I trembled and felt terrible pain as if someone had hit me in the stomach."

• creative-writing

• It seems as though you keep forgetting your login details. Ordinarily I'd suggest contacting the moderators to ask them to merge your accounts, but our only moderator is inactive, so I'm not sure there's any point. –  F1Krazy ♦ Commented Jan 22, 2020 at 17:12
• @F1Krazy Looks like merging isn’t a mod power anymore. Account merges are handled by CMs on owner request . –  Robin Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 1:58
• In that case, R Brown, use the contact form and see if you can get the CMs to merge your accounts, I think you have three by now. –  F1Krazy ♦ Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 6:42

If you want to avoid outright describing the character as trembling, you could focus on how this feels from the character's perspective and how it affects nearby objects .

In all likelihood, the character's hands are shaking. Maybe their teeth chatter, or their knees keep knocking together. Anything jingly they happen to hold or wear (such as keys or bracelets) will make a noise. Any openly carried liquid is likely to slosh and spill over.

They'd definitely have trouble with anything requiring fine motor skills (such as picking up an object or unlocking a door). When walking close to objects, they're more likely to bump into things.

Alternatively (or in addition to that), the character could be trembling with such force that it affects their surroundings. If the floor is a bit unstable, this could cause nearby furniture to wobble.

You might also include other details depending on what causes the character to tremble. Excitement, fear, shock, or physical illness?

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