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Hi SEers. John with you today.
As a wrap-up to the subject of gestures (or beats) to convey non-verbal communication, I found a great cheat sheet for writers on body language. The cheat sheet is below the text and was developed by ArchetypeWriting.com.
The cheat sheet can be used in developing characterizations beyond having to explain just how your character is feeling. I hope you find this cheat sheet useful and perhaps dig deeper into the subject of body language.
I became more confident in using beats to convey my character’s emotions in looking into this subject. However, I got a comment from a beta reader on my next book that maybe I went a little too overboard on the beats. There is always a warning on using any of the writing tools. The writer should use moderation with all of them.
How about you? Let us hear in the comments your thoughts on beats, this cheat sheet, or anything else that is on your mind.
How did I miss this, John? A great resource.
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Thank you, Viv.
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Thanks for sharing this valuable information!
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Thak you for the visit and comment.
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Reblogged this on wordrefiner.
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Pingback: A Cheat Sheet on Body Language for Writers – Written By John W. Howell – Writer's Treasure Chest
Thank you for the share
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Great share. Thanks John 🙂
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Thank you, Debbie.
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🙂
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This is an awesome share! Thanks so much, John!!
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I’m glad you like it Mar. Thanks for letting me know.
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Hi John, thanks for sharing this sheet, it is a good one. I never knew some of these things and am going to watch for them in my colleagues (never mind the writing) – hehe.
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Yes. A good way to read people. Thanks, Robbie.
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This is wonderful reference for an author, John! Thank you for sharing! I am conscious of body language and always observe others for signs of how they really feel. It does work! I will use some of these in my books. I agree using them may confuse some while others will understand what they mean. Use in moderation is the best way. Thanks again, John! Hugs x
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Janice.
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🥰
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Pingback: A Cheat Sheet on Body Language for Writers – MI way (Meristem Intelligence® way)
Thank you for sharing my post.
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Thank you for the body language cheat sheet, John, and for the caution about using too many action beats. I’ll certainly be using this!
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Patty
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Reblogged this on PTL Perrin Writes… and commented:
How many ways can you describe a character’s emotions? John Howell shares a handy cheat sheet for writers in this informative post. I know I’ll be using it! Thanks, John!
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Thank you for sharing my post, Patty
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You’re so welcome, John. Thank you!
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Thanks, John! That’s very interesting. xx Michael
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Yes it is. Thanks, Michael.
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💛
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael
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You are welcome, John! Thank you as well! xx Michael
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What a great list and post, John :)I am always looking for new ways to get those emotions across.
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Thank you, Denise. 😊
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You probably are already familiar with it, but the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is another great resource.
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Yes it is. Thanks, Pete.
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I really liked that explanation about lying, John. I hadn’t heard that before. And I agree about having to find that fine line between too many beats, too much telling, and just letting the reader’s imagination fill in the details. Yeesh, not easy! Thanks for the great resource. 🙂
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I love a good cheat sheet. You can also count me as a fan of the Emotion Thesaurus. I have a couple books in that series and refer to them frequently.
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Although I can see how these could be overused, I think these beats (I have never heard that term before) could come in handy. I will definitely keep this list for future reference.
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I’m glad, Janis. Thanks for letting me know.
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Excellent, John! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Bette.
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I love a good cheat sheet. I’m adding this to my folder.
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Thank you, Michele.
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This cheat sheet is a keeper! Aren’t beta readers awesome? Too much of even a good thing can be overkill. I’m happy your beta reader spoke up. Still, this list would make it easier for a reader to be one with the story. Thanks for sharing, John! 🙂
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Thanks, Yvette. I think the list could go a long was in getting the reader to identify with the characters more. 😁
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Reblogged this on Voices of the past, present and future and commented:
An added surprise for my fellow writers! I hope you enjoy!
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Thank you for sharing, Pamela.
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That is a great list, John. I’m going to tack it in my writing file 🙂
Thank you!
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Good idea. I am going to do that too.
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Great suggestions. It can be a struggle to “show, don’t tell” when I’m trying not to use the same beat too many times. Thanks, John.
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Thank you, Judi. 😊
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Great list. Saving…
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Very helpful, John. I’m going to save this cheat sheet — lots of good suggestions and wisdom. Thanks!
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Thank you, Gwen. It does come in handy. 😁
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Reblogged this on The Indie Spot! and commented:
Here’s a great writing resource by author John Howell.
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Thank you for the lovely share, Beem.
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I love a good cheat sheet. Thanks for sharing this, John.
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You can put it up your sleeve for use on the next test. 😁
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Wonderful sheet. I’m going to keep it in mind as I draft my next stories. Of course one of my characters is a hat, so what can I do with that?
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Brim beats
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You’ll think of something. Maybe he curls his rim?
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An excellent reference, John. I keep my Emotion Thesaurus and Nicolas Rossi’s Emotional Beats book next to my computer and use them a lot. However, I think I fall into the category of using the same ones over and again. This is a good reminder to step outside the box. Thank you for sharing!! Great post!
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Thank you, Jan. I found it very helpful as well.
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I rarely use these, but I can see how the imagery could be helpful. It is definitely for thought.
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Thanks, Maggie. It is food for thought for sure. 😊
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I try to skip attributions when I can, use beats when I can’t, and fill in with occasional tags. (A million “said/asked” on a page is dull.) And if your characters are distinct, their voices should be, too, so you shouldn’t need an attribution for everything. I hope I use the proper mix.
I love the cheat sheet. I’m sure I rely on the same actions over and over, and while I love The Emotion Thesaurus and the authors’ many companion works, sometimes I’m just too lazy or too busy to stop and look through a book or twelve. This will be a handy reference. Thanks, John.
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Maybe it will trigger others as well. Thanks, Staci. 😊
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Bookmarked! Immensely practical help, John. These gestures are a great example of ‘show don’t tell’ and prevent endless iterations of said/shouted/snarled etc.
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Thank you, Alex. I’m glad they are helpful. 😊
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Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
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Thank you for sharing the post today, Jeanne. 😊
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I’ve saved this handy list in my writing resources folder. Thank you, John!
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I hope it comes in handy, Liz.
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I expect it will.
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I’m always on the lookout for cheat sheets and will add this one to my collection. I prefer a blend of beats and tags with an emphasis on beats. There’s nothing quite as boring as a page full of “he said, she said.” The key is a proper balance. Thanks, John
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Thank you for your advice, Joan. I agree on the “he said,she said” way to incite a yawn.
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Great list, John, and spot on advice about using any tool in moderation. An excellent way of avoiding the “he said, angrily” type of tags. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week 💕🙂
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Have a wonderful week as well, Harmony. Thank you for your lovely comment too. 😊
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Pingback: A Cheat Sheet on Body Language for Writers | Legends of Windemere
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thank you, Chris.
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My pleasure, John 👍😃
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This list is bound to come in handy, John…
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I hope so, Jaye. Thank you. 😊
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Some I hadn’t thought of in that list, John. Thank you.
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Thank you, Sarah. 😁
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I love a great cheat sheet, John. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Jill. 😊
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Saved – thanks.
I have my own, of course, but we all tend to overuse the same set of gestures if we don’t freshen it up occasionally.
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I agree, Alicia. Thank you. 😊
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Good list, John! I haven’t seen some of these before, and the explanations are helpful. Agreed with your caution to be moderate with these. I have noticed that after advice about something makes its way around the blogosphere, its followed by advice NOT to do that, or at least not to do it too much.
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I agree, Audrey. That’s why I tossed a caution in there s well. 😁
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