"More Than Words"

[JackLuis]

Ever wonder how to imply a characters reaction to things?
Sometimes you need to give clues to a characters inner dialog but words take too long, or are too obvious.

I was recently castigated for "looks", smiles, ect and was looking for better descriptions of facial expressions.

http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/496848-50513-57.jpg

I found this and it is a links page to lots of things that can be used to make your descriptions, "More Than Words".

 

[PennLady]

Ages ago someone sent me a link to a blog of some kind that had pages for this kind of thing -- lots of different ways to get across expressions or feelings. It's on my other computer, though. I'll try to find it later. I tried searching for it but at the moment I don't have any idea what the best search terms would be.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't see the fun--or creative process--of plunking in formula descriptions someone else has provided. Mine might get repetitive for repeat readers (and why wouldn't they after 600 stories?), but they are mine and reflect the images I create.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

There are stereotype 'looks' tho some people have poker faces that can mean anything.

 

[slyc_willie]

I don't see the fun--or creative process--of plunking in formula descriptions someone else has provided. Mine might get repetitive for repeat readers (and why wouldn't they after 600 stories?), but they are mine and reflect the images I create.

I use a lot of the same descriptions in my stories as well. "He gave her a look," "Her eyes glazed over in passion," that I'm sure many of my readers catch. But I just figure that's part of my particular style.

Although I admit I'm always looking for new ways to change it up, so thanks for the link, Jack.

 

[PayDay]

There are stereotype 'looks' tho some people have poker faces that can mean anything.

+it assumes that there is a standard set of facial responses that @ normal.

I also call bullisht.

 

[PennLady]

I don't see the fun--or creative process--of plunking in formula descriptions someone else has provided. Mine might get repetitive for repeat readers (and why wouldn't they after 600 stories?), but they are mine and reflect the images I create.

They're just suggestions. They might remind you of a phrase you haven't used in a while, or prompt a new idea for you. No one's saying you have to use them exactly as provided. Sometimes looking at suggestions like that are good for jumpstarting your own ideas. If you don't need such help, fine.

 

[sr71plt]

They're just suggestions. They might remind you of a phrase you haven't used in a while, or prompt a new idea for you. No one's saying you have to use them exactly as provided. Sometimes looking at suggestions like that are good for jumpstarting your own ideas. If you don't need such help, fine.

That's fine. There are a lot of beginners here, though, looking for the easy button--and being told by some that there are far more "rules" than there are. Just providing balance.

The creative process doesn't require (or even often work that well with) a large committee and formulas, if any.

 

[Dyslexicea]

By the way Jack I need to give you the thumbs-up, wish we had an icon, on this post. Understanding body language isn't just important to writers it is for all of us in our day to day lives. For some of us it's inessential for our careers. More and more police forces are being given courses on body language as a way to help officers access dangerous situations. A lot of universities offer courses on understanding body language and even how it can vary between cultures.

They're just suggestions. They might remind you of a phrase you haven't used in a while, or prompt a new idea for you. No one's saying you have to use them exactly as provided. Sometimes looking at suggestions like that are good for jumpstarting your own ideas. If you don't need such help, fine.

Of course no real author would need to grow, learn new things, incorporate new ideas into their writing. Surely no best selling author, fiction or non-fiction would attend one of the University of Iowa's world renowned writers workshop. I'm sure none are going to be at this years Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Just a bunch of us beginners.

I'm not good at sarcasm but I'm learning.

By the way I'm not being sarcastic when I say your advice is excellent.

 

[PayDay]

By the way Jack I need to give you the thumbs-up, wish we had an icon, on this post. Understanding body language isn't just important to writers it is for all of us in our day to day lives. For some of us it's inessential for our careers. More and more police forces are being given courses on body language as a way to help officers access dangerous situations. A lot of universities offer courses on understanding body language and even how it can vary between cultures.
.

That's frightening. There are those of us who have zero 'standardized' body language and facial expression, not to mention it's teaching people how to lie correctly.

No part of that is ok.

 

[sr71plt]

Of course no real author would need to grow, learn new things, incorporate new ideas into their writing. Surely no best selling author, fiction or non-fiction would attend one of the University of Iowa's world renowned writers workshop. I'm sure none are going to be at this years Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Just a bunch of us beginners.

You'd be surprised how many best-selling authors would agree with a straight read of what you've written here.

Of course all of these things have their place in a writer's development. Suggesting writers early in their development--especially ones who are looking for the easy button--look for and regurgitate formulas isn't the best way to bring out their creativity and their own voice, however. They really should start out with their own ideas rather than looking for riding piggy back on someone else's--or they will never get out of the slush pile.

You might try something less bitter yourself. Your hate-invested approach is getting pretty stale.

 

[JackLuis]

I don't think that the link offered standardized descriptions at all. I wonder what got under the Pilot seat?

I thought that the linked pages offered a way of looking at and understanding body language that would allow an author, like myself, unpublished and struggling, to gain a greater depth in their descriptions.

I seldom, jf ever, use formulas in my stories, I'd rather not read forulamatic regurgitation and I'm betting that new ways to think of stories, particularly stories aimed at readers who like a long ride and want a bit of titillation before the end, will sell.

I always felt that a story with twists and turns, highs and lows was more interesting than ones with a goose stepping progression to an ending that you can deduce from the first paragraph are more satisfying.

Pennlady, do post that info when you find it. I have a lot to learn and unlike our Pilot don't think I know everything.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't think that the link offered standardized descriptions at all. I wonder what got under the Pilot seat?

Nothing other than hedging on it because of how early developing writers would (and do) encourage themselves to see it. I think there's rather not enough individual creativity in the writing around here rather than too much. It's useful to read, yes. It's also useful for folks like Dys to then tee off on me. So, all good.

 

[JackLuis]

Nothing other than hedging on it because of how early developing writers would (and do) encourage themselves to see it. I think there's rather not enough individual creativity in the writing around here rather than too much. It's useful to read, yes. It's also useful for folks like Dys to then tee off on me. So, all good.

Perhaps you'd get less negative feedback if you took a more positive view and expressed your points in a positive manner? You do make some good points Pilot, but often in unsupportive ways.

 

[sr71plt]

Perhaps you'd get less negative feedback if you took a more positive view and expressed your points in a positive manner? You do make some good points Pilot, but often in unsupportive ways.

Most posters (as with some other's who post here) have already decided what tack to take with my comments. Sorry, but it's not uncommon on the Internet for posters to try to level the expertise ratio down to where they are--often by belittling comments and personal attacks.

I could have posted, "yeah, wonderful stuff" on this thread and still be slammed. And, of course, folks just ignore how often I do post "yeah, wonderful stuff" and/or handhold a newbie to where they need to go to get the quickest, highest level of satisfaction. But it just goes with posting to an Internet forum for any length of time.

For laughs, let's look up the last time Dys helped a newbie with a Web site quandary here. Or you, for that matter.

 

[JackLuis]

This one is a little more scientific, but interesting none the less,

Facial Expression: A Primary Communication System

 

[slyc_willie]

This one is a little more scientific, but interesting none the less,

Facial Expression: A Primary Communication System

I think that one's probably a bit too clinical to be of use to many writers. Still, interesting reading if only for all the colorful acronyms they use.

 

[JackLuis]

Facial expressions 'not global'

It's hardly surprising but often overlooked that there are cultural differences we should be aware of. Particularly true if we consider the phrase, "Inscrutable Orientals."

 

[TxRad]

It's hardly surprising but often overlooked that there are cultural differences we should be aware of. Particularly true if we consider the phrase, "Inscrutable Orientals."

Inscrutable, better known as self control.

 

[JackLuis]

Inscrutable, better known as self control.

I kind'a liked the screwable orientals better.

Some of them had great control!

 

[PennLady]

Here's the link I mentioned earlier:

http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/2008/01/introducing-thesaurus-thursdays.html

The blog itself is called "The Bookshelf Muse," and the tagline (if you will) says "Dedicated to helping writer via descriptive tools, knowledge sharing and support." I haven't done much other than look at this page and a couple of others, so I don't know much "support" or anything they really offer.

 

[JackLuis]

Thanks PL. The page you listed is no longer available but... Still another resource to check out.

 

[PennLady]

Thanks PL. The page you listed is no longer available but... Still another resource to check out.

That's weird. It worked for me. But you know -- I had to type it out since it was on another computer, so I may have messed up. I'll re-check.

Fixed it! Sorry, put an "e" on Thursday in the link.

 

[3113]

I found this and it is a links page[/URL] to lots of things that can be used to make your descriptions, "More Than Words".

Ack! An Autistic's nightmare. How can we ignore what you're feeling if we actually learn facial expressions and so know what you're feeling?

 

[JackLuis]

Ack! An Autistic's nightmare. How can we ignore what you're feeling if we actually learn facial expressions and so know what you're feeling?

Well you can turn around and sense the events differently, if that turns you on?
Or put a bag over his head, just make sure he can breath deeply and pant in his non-emotive way.

Would that be called Doggy-bagging?