keyboardsmashwriters:

Finding Unique Character Traits || Part 2

Exercise –
Take a character. Put them in a conversation with someone they absolutely loathe – a coworker, a family member, an arch nemesis. Focus on their body language.

Why?
Dialogue is more than just the tone of voice. Speech is physical. Speech alters chemistry and manifests in our bodies. The way a character acts as they or someone else is talking tells a story beyond what’s being said, and it also defines a character beyond outright telling the reader “She was shy” or “He felt sick” (although there are certainly times where this is necessary).

Goal –
Does your character have any habits? Does she fidget with or bite her nails? Does he usually pace when he’s on the phone and shift from foot to foot when he’s in public? Does she need to fix things or grab something and spin it around?

Does your character have any typical mannerisms that they fall back on? Raising the eyebrows? Gnawing or pursing the lips? Wide or slight hand gestures? Squinting or crinkling around the eyes? Tilting the head?

Now, how does this change if they’re talking to someone who makes them absolutely uncomfortable? How do they physically react to the words of this person that they so deeply hate? Do they tense up? Do their fingers curl or palms squeeze? Do they sweat or shake or feel their stomach burn with nausea? Capitalize on how the loathing manifests physically in your character.

If you’re up to the challenge, write multiple characters and capitalize on how different their body language is from each other.

Make sure to tag your posts with “ksw exercise”!

Helpful References –

• Body Language Reference Sheet
• Tips for Writers: Body Language
• Body Language Cheat Sheet for Writers
• Further Understanding Body Language
• Five Things You Should Know About Body Language