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Character mannerisms to consider!

Mannerisms, in this case, are the little details that are unique to each character of your story! These are perfect ways help the reader know more about your character’s personality without needing to read through multiple sentences of description or dialogue. Mannerisms also become incredibly useful when you need to convey things like social status, upbringing, mental health status and how they interact with the world/people around them.

There are hundreds of unique ways to use mannerisms, for example linking one character to another despite their lack of interaction in the story. The dialogue and description might point to Character A having never met Character B, but they might share the same mannerisms, which would hint to some kind of past link between the pair.

How much space do they take up? Do they spread out when they sit or stay curled-up? Do they flail their arms to gesture? Do they speak loudly or quietly? Who listens when they speak up? Do they make a sound when they move?

How does your character sleep? What position? Do they sleep restlessly or soundly? Do they prefer covers, or do they sleep without?

How does your character greet people? Are they welcoming or reserved? How genuine are they being?

How much do they mirror others? Do they mirror everyone? (Mirroring is a subconscious behaviour where two+ people in a conversation will copy one another’s body language. This usually means there is a connection of some kind being made. Lack of / exaggerated mirroring might indicate towards a mental disorder or other (ex: personality disorder, neurodiversity, anxiety etc)

Which part of their body is the most expressive? Does your character use their hands a lot or do they tuck them away? Do they need movement to ground themselves (swaying, rocking, fidgetting…)?

Who would your character turn to in a group of people for comfort? Would they acknowledge that person more? Would they engage in a conversation with only them or would they just glance their way?

Do they have a re-occuring habit to indicate a mood? Do they crack their knuckles when excited? Do they bite their lip ring when angry? Do they look at their hands when sad?

How do they gesture? Do they speak with their hands? Do they point, nod or use their eyes to show something? Which movements are conscious, and which aren't?

Do they have a comfort item or person? Is there something they always think of? Is there something they hold with care? How much do they value that thing more than others?

How would they react to another person’s misfortune? Would their eyes light up? Would their heart hurt? How genuine would they feel? How genuine would they act?

Is there anything that makes them OOC (out of character)? (This is a good thing! One tiny OOC aspect can make a huge impact on that character) Perhaps they’re cruel but love cats? Perhaps they’re known for being the kindest but smile when they think of something tragic? How often do they act strangely? Do they do it in front of anyone? Do their actions indicate this or solely their thoughts?

I hope this helps you develop your characters! If you have anything to add, feel free to do so!

[esandersauthor]

When a mugger shoots you but dies instead, you realize that if anyone’s in the same room as you when you die, you take their life to keep living. Now a 100-year-old on your deathbed, you’re desperately trying to convince all your loved ones to leave your side.

[esandersauthor]

Rockstars, sugarbabies, and enough love to make a #Hallmark lover cry! This enemies to lovers story made me want more and more and more! Wild & Bright by Skyler Mason Read the full review here: https://www.lizgenerally.com/post/book-review-wild-bright-skyler-mason

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Have you ever started a book and gotten lost in its world? This is one of those!

Wendy hasn't seen Peter in ten years, but she still finds herself pining for the Fae man. For Peter, it's been 30 years, and he's afraid of getting hurt. With dangers lurking around every corner, and monsters that go bump in the night, will Wendy and Peter survive and fall in love? Or is their happily-ever-after doomed after all?

I say this every time, but she's done it again! This book is filled with beautiful imagery, daring battles, plot twists, romance (and more book boyfriends), and all the trimmings I've come to expect from this author! With favorite plot tropes like hurt/comfort, pretending to be asleep, making the love interest jealous, and more, it's no surprise that I love this book and can't wait to read the sequel!

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When researcher, Emery, finds herself separated from her team, and facing imminent death, she comes across a man frozen in ice ala Captain America. Saved by Jack Frost himself, Emery can’t decide if she should trust the feelings inside her or if she should run as fast as she can.

With an angry fire goddess hellbent on destroying Jack (and by extension Emery!) Emery must find a way past her struggles to help save the world.

Rebecca Kenney continues to write stories that transport me to a new and exciting world (with more book boyfriends!) Every book I pick up by this author continues to surprise me. Plot twists, sweet moments, convincing and page turning storylines. This book and all the others that I’ve read by this author keep me riveted from page one to the end.

I can’t wait for the next read!

[esandersauthor]

Rebecca F. Kenney is a master storyteller.

When Amarylla’s father goes back on his word and surrenders his strong willed daughter to become the broodmare of the fiend prince, she‘s swept away to the kingdom of Terelaus. After a rocky start and a dagger to the throat Amarylla and her husband come to a tenuous truce in hope of surviving the fiend prince‘s tyrant father and his need for power no matter the cost.

Another book and another book boyfriend! Fast-paced, fantastic story telling, world-building to make even the staunchest fantasy reader swoon with all of my favorite tropes, enough angst to make you hurt and romance to make your heart melt with the tenderness makes this the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a good enemies to lovers tale. I’ve absolutely found another author to binge read and another one for my shelf!

[esandersauthor]

Steampunk has never been something that I've read, but this book captured me from the moment I saw the author post a snippet on TikTok! With her life on the line and her guard injured (or worse), Noémie is forced to take a gargoyle as her bodyguard. A rocky start turned epic romance and battle for the survival of two nations on the precipice of either destruction or peace, Noémie must take the risks necessary to discover who wants her dead, who she can trust, and what she must do to survive. Gideon didn't ask to be created, and he certainly didn't ask to be the bodyguard of a princess determined to hate his guts! But after a series of assassination attempts on his charge, he finds himself closer than ever to his charge!   This book included some of my favorite tropes. This fast-paced book includes enemies to lovers, taboo romance, one-bed, you name it, and the author has managed to create one of the most immersive and fantastic worlds I've ever had the pleasure of diving head-first into. I finished this book in a day because I just couldn't bring myself to put it down! Steamy romance, that will make you squirm in your seat, fantastic characters that make you love them (and love to hate them), this book is a must-read for anyone who loves paranormal romance. I even gained a new book boyfriend to swoon over. This one is one for my shelves! I'll definitely be reading it again!

[esandersauthor]

Happy @nanowrimo start day! What are you working on this year? My #nanowrimo project is "The Woman Who Fell In Love WIth Death" When Arius, the King of the Dead falls in love with a human whose soul he’s supposed to reap, will he abandon his mission to save a life instead? Sent to collect her soul, Arius, King of the Underworld was powerless to stop the inevitable; Ava was dying. She didn't know why, how, or even how long she had left to live, but she was determined to live it to the fullest. A change of heart in the making, the king of death fell back in love with life. With time certainly not on their side, can Arius save the woman he's growing to love? Can Ava survive the journey? And if she can, will their love be enough to conquer the divide between life and death?

[esandersauthor]

I just finished the first book in Those Boys Are Trouble (the box set) by Willow Winters and I can't say enough good things!

[esandersauthor]

A new chapter of Alpha Mine is available in Kindle Vella! Read the first 3 chapters free! This chapter includes my favorite character and a level of sass that I only wish I could achieve! When Claire meets her Alpha, Owen, she’s thrown from her sheltered upbringing into a life of leadership as she gains the role of Luna to her pack. With seemingly everyone heaping expectations onto the shoulders of the new mates, will they triumph over obstacles or fail. Only the moon goddess knows. https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09B1HYWWB#kindlevella #amwriting #writersoffacebook #Writer #shifterromance #paranormalromance

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The fourth sister, Angelika Amon, the only phoenix sister without powers--is posing as a wolf to ensure her safety among the dragon-shifters of the Blue Clan, she's both isolated and included in a world that she was taught to fear. Airk--the once captive heir to the White Clan's throne refuses to release the dragon raging inside of him. In a thrilling tale and the final installment of the Inferno Rising series, we find out if indeed the phoenixes and their dragons can take down Pytheios. Will Angelika find her mate in the midst of the battle?

This is definitely a new favorite of mine! As expected I was enthralled from the moment I picked up the book! From thrilling battles with high stakes, a vibrant world full of shifters, every story she writes gives me goosebumps and keeps me on the edge of my seat! The Cursed King is no different! I love her sassy characters and spicy romances.  I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but I can't wait to see what's in store for us next!

This is definitely a new favorite of mine, and I can't wait to hear what you think!

[esandersauthor]

Abigail Owens has done it again! I spent an entire day binge-reading this fantastic story! Running from enforcers, and coping with the loss of her adoptive parents (a pair of rouge dragon-shifters), Hadyn seeks out Rune, a rouge-dragon known for stealing dragon-mates. Will she save her adoptive parents? Will she find that she gets a second chance? This story is filled with sexual tension, thrilling plot lines, and compelling characters. Just what I’ve come to expect from all of Abigail’s books. This is one you won’t want to miss reading! I can’t wait to get lost in another one of Abigail’s novels!

[esandersauthor]

[esandersauthor]

To Tired Writers. To the people out there whose hearts very, very much want to write and work on WIPs, but who are just mentally and physically exhausted right now. It’s okay. It is okay to rest sometimes. Allow yourself time to rest. 

[esandersauthor]

“I will remember your smile with bittersweet melancholy.”

— siir-poesia ©

[esandersauthor]

February Prompts 🌹

Word prompts to use for doodling or writing

love letter

birds

snowfall

dinner date

mirror

sky

chocolates

poem

rainbow

cards

dream

ring

mountains

kisses

cashmere

dance

roses

heart candies

gifts

cupcakes

diary

carousel

watercolor

love language

rainday

cabin

envelope

ribbons

[esandersauthor]

“I have to say that although it broke my heart, I was, and still am, glad I was there.”

— Markus Zusak