Resources For Describing Emotion

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Emotions

• Without Making Your Character Feel Too Self Aware
  
• Showing Emotion Without Telling About It
  
• Emotions Associated With Body Language
  
• Telling Readers What The Character Doesn’t Want To Show
  
• Hiding Emotions
  
• Expressing Cardinal Emotions: Masculine vs. Feminine
  
• Writing Extreme Emotion Without Melodrama

Specific Emotions

• Conveying Shock
  
• Conveying Embarrassment
  
• Conveying Disappointment
  
• Conveying Love/Attraction
  
• Conveying Annoyance
  
• Conveying Relief
  
• Conveying Uncertainty
  
• Conveying Impatience
  
• Conveying Shame
  
• Conveying Resentment
  
• Conveying Panic
  
• Conveying Guilt
  
• Conveying Desperation
  
• Conveying Sarcasm & Verbal Disrespect
  
• Conveying Confusion
  
• Conveying Stubbornness
  
• Conveying Frustration
  
• Conveying Indifference
  
• Conveying Indignation
  
• Conveying Confidence & Pride
  
• Conveying Smugness
  
• Conveying Enthusiasm
  
• Conveying Curiosity
  
• Conveying Hopefulness
  
• Conveying Unease
  
• Conveying Reluctance
  
• Conveying Worry
  
• Conveying Humility & Meekness
  
• Conveying Happiness & Joy
  
• Conveying Amusement
  
• Conveying Disgust
  
• Conveying Resignation
  
• Conveying Jealousy
  
• Conveying Anticipation
  
• Conveying Contentment
  
• Conveying Defeat
  
• Conveying Excitement
  
• Conveying Fear
  
• Conveying Hatred
  
• Conveying Hurt
  
• Conveying Being Overwhelmed
  
• Conveying Sadness & Grief
  
• Conveying Satisfaction
  
• Conveying Somberness
  
• Conveying Sympathy & Empathy
  
• Conveying Wariness
  
• Conveying Defensiveness
  
• Conveying Desire
  
• Conveying Doubt
  
• Conveying Energy
  
• Conveying Exhaustion
  
• Conveying Hunger
  
• Conveying Loneliness
  
• Conveying Physical Pain

Emotional Wounds

• A Role Model Who Disappoints
  
• A Sibling’s Betrayal
  
• A Speech Impediment
  
• Becoming a Caregiver at an Early Age
  
• Being Bullied
  
• Being Fired or Laid Off
  
• Being Held Captive
  
• Being Mugged
  
• Being Publicly Humiliated
  
• Being Raised by Neglectful Parents
  
• Being Raised by Overprotective Parents
  
• Being So Beautiful It’s All People See
  
• Being the Victim of a Vicious Rumor
  
• Being Stalked
  
• Being Trapped in a Collapsed Building
  
• Being Unfairly Blamed For The Death of Another
  
• Childhood Sexual Abuse (by a family member or known person)
  
• Discovering One’s Parent is a Monster
  
• Discovering One’s Sibling was Abused
  
• Experiencing a Miscarriage or Stillbirth
  
• Failing At School
  
• Failing To Do The Right Thing
  
• Financial Ruin Due To A Spouse’s Irresponsibility
  
• Finding Out One’s Child Was Abused
  
• Finding Out One Was Adopted
  
• Getting Lost In a Natural Environment
  
• Growing Up In A Cult
  
• Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood
  
• Growing Up In Foster Care
  
• Growing Up In The Public Eye
  
• Growing Up In The Shadow of a Successful Sibling
  
• Growing Up with a Sibling Who Has a Chronic Disability or Illness
  
• Having Parents Who Favored One Child Over Another
  
• Having To Kill Another Person To Survive
  
• Infertility
  
• Infidelity (emotional or physical)
  
• Losing a Limb
  
• Losing a Loved One To A Random Act of Violence
  
• Making a Very Public Mistake
  
• Overly Critical or Strict Parents
  
• Physical Disfigurement
  
• Rejection By One’s Peers
  
• Telling The Truth But Not Being Believed
  
• The Death of a Child On One’s Watch
  
• Victimization via Identity Theft
  
• Watching A Loved One Die
  
• Wrongful Imprisonment
  
• Spending Time In Jail
  
• Suffering From a Learning Disability

Motivation

• Achieving Spiritual Enlightenment
  
• Avoiding Certain Death
  
• Avoiding Financial Ruin
  
• Beating a Diagnosis or Condition
  
• Being Acknowledged and Appreciated by Family
  
• Being a Leader of Others
  
• Being the Best At Something
  
• Caring for an Aging Parent
  
• Carrying on a Legacy
  
• Catching The Bad Guy or Girl
  
• Coming To Grips With Mental Illness
  
• Discovering One’s True Self
  
• Escaping a Dangerous Life one Doesn’t Want
  
• Escaping a Killer
  
• Escaping a Widespread Disaster
  
• Escaping Confinement
  
• Escaping Homelessness
  
• Escaping Invaders
  
• Finding Friendship or Companionship
  
• Finding a Lifelong Partner
  
• Having a Child
  
• Helping a Loved One See They Are Hurting Themselves and Others
  
• Obtaining Shelter From The Elements
  
• Overcoming Abuse and Learning To Trust
  
• Overcoming Addiction
  
• Protecting One’s Home or Property
  
• Pursuing Justice For Oneself or Others
  
• Realizing a Dream
  
• Reconciling with an Estranged Family Member
  
• Rescuing a Loved One From a Captor
  
• Restoring A Name or Reputation
  
• Righting a Deep Wrong
  
• Seeking Out One’s Biological Roots
  
• Stopping an Event From Happening
  
• Trying Again When One Has Previously Failed

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