#character behavior

[brainstreams]

Underused Ways to Show a Character Is Neglecting Themself

Everyone writes “they looked tired.” But let's look closer.

Here are some quick ways to show a character is neglecting themselves (without saying "they were neglecting themselves"):

• They drink coffee instead of eating again

• They never ask for help

• They keep wearing the same jacket even when it’s too warm

• Their phone battery is always at 3%

• Spending a long time away from others

• They say “I’ll eat later” three times in the same day

• Withdrawing quietly when stressed rather than seeking help

• Their place runs out of small things (soap, clean cups, toothpaste)

• Always late or overdue on bills

• They sleep in strange places because the bed is buried under things

• Using alcohol or substances to cope

• Overworking or staying constantly busy to avoid thinking about personal needs

• They stop replacing things that break

• Being highly critical of themselves while being extremely compassionate toward others

• They forget what day it is, but remember every obligation

• Lack of concern about their own wellbeing (acting reckless/stupid)

• They open the fridge, stare, and close it again

• Their laundry slowly becomes “the chair”

• Saying "I'm fine" to everything.

• Being the “listener” or emotional support for everyone else, but rarely opening up themselves

• Someone asks if they’ve eaten and they have to actually think about it

Those are some quick tips. Reblog if you want more. Idk if people like these. <3

⤷ my printable novel planner

[yugenronin]

𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞  ⁝  𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Takenaka Hanbei

♦ DEFENSIVENESS.

arms crossed on chest / crossing legs / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / karate chops / stiffening of shoulders / tense posture / curling of lip / baring of teeth

♦ REFLECTIVE.

hand-to-face gestures / head tilted /  stroking chin / peering over glasses / taking glasses off — cleaning /  putting earpiece of glasses in mouth / pipe smoker gestures / putting hand to bridge of nose / pursed lips / knitted brows

♦ SUSPICION.

arms crossed / sideways glance / touching or rubbing nose / rubbing eyes / hands resting on weapon / brows raising / lips pressing into a thin line / strict, unwavering eye contact / wrinkling of nose / narrowed eyes

♦ CONFIDENCE.

hands behind back / hands on lapels of coat / steepled hands / baring teeth in a grin / rolling shoulders / tipping head back but maintaining eye contact / chest puffed up / shoulders back / arms folded just above navel / wide eyes / standing akimbo

♦ INSECURITY & ANXIETY.

chewing pen or pencil / rubbing thumb over opposite thumb / biting fingernails / biting lips / hands in pockets / elbow bent / closed gestures / clearing throat / “whew” sound / picking or pinching flesh / fidgeting in chair / hand covering mouth whilst speaking / poor eye contact / tugging at pants whilst seated / jingling money in pockets / tugging at ear / perspiring hands / playing with hair / swaying / playing with pointer/marker/cane / smacking lips / sighing / rocking on balls of feet / flexing or cracking fingers sporadically

♦ ANGER & FRUSTRATION.

short breaths / “tsk” sounds / tightly-clenched hands / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / running hand through hair / rubbing back of neck / snarling / revealing teeth / grimacing / sharp-eye glowers / notable tension in brow / shoulders back, head up – defensive posturing / clenching of jaw / grinding teeth / nostrils flaring / heavy exhales

tagged by: @tximidity​

tagging: @thebloomingrosefamily​ @akumanoken​ @fleetingblossomofthedawn​ (if you want to do it for an oc?) and anyone else! I have been gone a bit so I’m not sure who wants to do it, but feel free to steal and tag me!

[ahb-writes]

[I]s THE HANDMAID'S TALE a “feminist” novel? If you mean an ideological tract in which all women are angels and/or so victimized they are incapable of moral choice, no. If you mean a novel in which women are human beings — with all the variety of character and behavior that implies — and are also interesting and important, and what happens to them is crucial to the theme, structure and plot of the book, then yes. In that sense, many books are “feminist.”

Margaret Atwood

[brainstreams]

Ways To Show a Character Is Terrified

Everyone writes shaking hands and racing hearts. Those are fine. But fear often shows up in unexpected ways.

Here are some quick writing tips for writing a terrified character (without saying "they were terrified").

• They suddenly become very polite (fawn response)

• They start explaining things no one asked about (changing subject)

• They laugh once when no one else does.

• They keep glancing at the door like they’re measuring the distance

• They agree too quickly

• They hold perfectly still like they don't want to draw attention

• They start noticing extremely small details in the room

• They talk slower than usual, choosing every word carefully

• They disassociate and become unresponsive

• They try to sound reasonable when no one else is being reasonable

• They swallow before every sentence

• They weigh every consequence before speaking

• They keep their hands where everyone can see them (hands in their pockets)

• They cross their arms and/or avoid eye contact

• They frequently make eye contact with a familiar person

• They thank someone who clearly doesn’t deserve it

Those are some quick tips. Reblog if you want more. Idk if people like these. <3

⤷ my printable novel planner

[brainstreams]

Ways To Show a Character Is Lying

Everyone writes: “They avoided eye contact.”

Let's do something a little different.

Here are some quick ways to show a character is lying (without saying "lie"):

• Answering the wrong part of the question

• Giving way more detail than anyone asked for

• Acting offended instead of answering

• Correcting a tiny, irrelevant detail in the conversation

• Asking you a question immediately after being asked one (deflection)

• Pausing just long enough that the response feels orchestrated

• Overexplaining something simple

• Texting an answer then deleting it

• Saying “to be honest” or “if I’m being honest”

• Avoiding eye contact (or making eye contact with someone else)

• Laughing like the conversation is suddenly very funny

• Getting oddly specific about the timing of things

• Or their story leaves out details

• Abruptly changing the subject (or quietly steering it away)

Those are some quick tips. Reblog if you want more. Idk if people like these. <3

Anyways, good lies aren't super dramatic revelations. Sometimes they sound normal, just normal enough that the reader feels something is... 'off', but they can't prove it.

Leave a breadcrumb or two of doubt. They might just connect the dots!

⤷ my printable novel planner

[eclectixress]

Instead of this saying kind of men...it should say kind of people. It goes both ways. If you're in a relationship say it. People find out. That just shows what kind of person you are.

[loninelovely]

[homegoingss]

Molly’s Game - Aaron Sorkin, based on the memoir Molly’s Game: From Hollywood’s Elite to Wall Street’s Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker by Molly Bloom

Doug? I’m the woman all of you have always dreamed of. I’m the anti-wife. Instead of making you feel bad about going out every night and gambling, I encourage it. And instead of asking you to cut down on your drinking, I have drinks served to you by models who simultaneously create the impression that you’re the kind of guy who can score a dime piece anytime you want. Do you know who Circe was?  She was the Greek goddess of magic and she gave men feasts and wine and honey and then she turned them into swine.