There’s one thing I’m guilty of doing in my first draft, and that’s writing characters who constantly respond by smiling, frowning, nodding or shaking their heads. So, when I go back to update that draft, I try to come up with more expressive and emotional responses.
I’ve put together a list of bland, generic verbs and suggestions that more clearly show what’s happening. These are just some random ideas to get the creative juices flowing.
INSTEAD OF…
TRY USING…
she smiled
her eyebrows rose with excitement
there was a suspicious line at the corners of her mouth
her lips parted in surprise
she bit her lip to stifle a grin
her mouth curved into an unconscious smile
her face brightened at the suggestion
he frowned
his brows drew together in an agonized expression
a muscle flicked angrily in his jaw
a cold, congested expression settled on his faced
his brow furrow
his mouth thinning with displeasure
he pressed his lips together in anger
she nodded
she reached out, lacing his fingers with her own
she put a hand on his shoulder, comforting him
an electrifying shudder reverberated through her
she licked her shiny lips
somehow she managed to face him
she hugged her arms to her
she moved in an instinctive gesture of comfort
she slapped him heartily on the back
she touched her forehead slightly in a mock salute
Boat safety instructor Kate Parks recovers from an injury that ended her career with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, repairs her relationship with her estranged sister, and investigates a series of murders in her little beach town.
There’s one thing I’m guilty of doing in my first draft, and that’s writing characters who constantly respond by smiling, frowning, nodding or shaking their heads. So, when I go back to update that draft, I try to come up with more expressive and emotional responses.
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