#Creative writing exercises

[angela-yuriko-smith]

Unleash Your Creativity: Top Writing Techniques for Unstoppable Storytelling

By following these top writing techniques, you can unleash your creativity and become a successful storyteller. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, these tips are sure to help you reach your writing goals and produce captivating stories

As a writer, the goal is to create stories that captivate and engage readers, leading to a wider audience and greater impact. But where do you start? With so many writing techniques and styles, it can be difficult to know what works best. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top writing techniques used by successful writers to unleash their creativity and produce unforgettable works of…

[cauthonj]

The Daily Prompt: May 31, 2022

The Daily Prompt: May 31, 2022

Thank you for checking out today’s daily prompt. Come back tomorrow for a brand new prompt, or if you want all the prompts for the month in advance, sign up for my newsletter.  You will gain access to my Writer’s Resource Library, which contains a prompt calendar for each month, plus many more writing resources.

[inkskinned]

i love when words fit right. seize was always supposed to be that word, and so was jester. tuesday isn't quite right but thursday should be thursday, that's a good word for it. daisy has the perfect shape to it, almost like you're laughing when you say it; and tulip is correct most of the time. while keynote is fun to say, it's super wrong - i think they have to change the label for that one. but fox is spot-on.

most words are just, like, good enough, even if what they are describing is lovely. the night sky is a fine term for it but it isn't perfect the way november is the correct term for that month.

it's not just in english because in spanish the phrase eso si que es is correct, it should be that. sometimes other languages are also better than the english words, like how blue is sloped too far downwards but azul is perfect and hangs in the air like glitter. while butterfly is sweet, i think probably papillion is more correct, although for some butterflies féileacán is much better. year is fine but bliain is better. sometimes multiple languages got it right though, like how jueves and Πέμπτη are also the right names for thursday. maybe we as a species are just really good at naming thursdays.

and if we were really bored and had a moment and a picnic to split we could all sit down for a moment and sort out all the words that exist and find all the perfect words in every language. i would show you that while i like the word tree (it makes you smile to say it), i think arbor is correct. you could teach me from your language what words fit the right way, and that would be very exciting (exciting is not correct, it's just fine).

i think probably this is what was happening at the tower of babel, before the languages all got shifted across the world and smudged by the hand of god. by the way, hand isn't quite right, but i do like that the word god is only 3 letters, and that it is shaped like it is reflecting into itself, and that it kind of makes your mouth move into an echoing chapel when you cluck it. but the word god could also fit really well with a coathanger, and i can't explain that. i think donut has (weirdly) the same shape as a toothbrush, but we really got bagel right and i am really grateful for that.

grateful is close, but not like thunder. hopefully one day i am going to figure out how to shape the way i love my friends into a little ceramic (ceramic is very good, almost perfect) pot and when they hold it they can feel the weight of my care for them. they can put a plant in there. maybe a daisy.

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to create an atmosphere: Supermarket

Sight

advertisements for products

big signs showing discounts

aisles full of colorful products

fresh produce

employees in matching uniforms

all different kinds of costumers

with shopping carts

with children running around

with a stroller or toddlers sitting in the shopping cart

with a service dog by their side

Hearing

the sound of shopping carts being pushed and bumping into shelves

parents calling for their children

people talking on the phone

a man asking his wife if they still have enough toilet paper at home

someone asking the employee where they can find something

music interrupted by announcements about promotions the store is doing

the surring and beeping sound of the cash register belt

the sound of the electronic doors opening and shutting again

Touch

the stickiness of the floors

the differents textures of each item they think about buying

the coldness and often stickiness of the handle of the shopping cart

the sudden wetness from some products that are either fresh produce or where the package is leaking

Smell

the smell of spilled drinks that someone dropped and left for the employees to clean up

the smell of cleaning products from them having to sweep it up

the smell of hand sanitizer

the smell of different products the costumer holds up to their face and smells to decide if they like it

the horrendous smell of deposit machines where you return your not quite empty beer bottles to and the leftover liquid spills everywhere

Taste

different samples offered at the supermarket

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[taytjiefourie]

Showing when writing: Emotions [part 1]

Embarrassment

blushing

fidgeting

sweating

hiding their face in their hands

wide eyes

crossing their arms around their body

stutters

stammering

shifting their weight from side to side

exaggerated movements

nervous quirks appear such as picking at their nails, playing with their hair, and rocking on their heels.

avoiding eye contact

glancing or staring at random objects

stiff smiles

scratching the back of their head or neck.

subject changing

forced laughter

Anticipation

big smiles

wetting their lips

energized

constant movement

grinning

can't concentrate

clumsiness

fidgeting

questions

Awe

frozen

wide eyes

slack jaw

harsh or erratic breathing

grinning

staring

Surprise/shock

gasping

open mouth

slack jaw

wide eyes

covering their mouth with their hands

raised eyebrows

frozen

staring

stepping back

stutters or stammers

Triumph

Tilting back head and yelling out

fist pumping in the air

Jumping

Roaring

Whooping

laughter

bright smiles

grinning

Anger/Threatening

Shaking fist

Pointing

crossed arms

glares

frowning

scowling

Stabbing with finger

Slamming fist against something

Veins throbbing

Jutting out their chin

Clenched fist

Clenched jaw

flushed face

Eyebrows lowered or furrowed

squinting

Teeth bared

Wide stance

Tight-lipped smile

Rapid breathing

Sweating

aggressive stance

Flared nostrils

Puffed chest

loud voice

Nervous

lip biting

biting nails

blinking

tears

stepping back

awkward laughter

clumsiness

dry lips

dry mouth

fidgeting

darting eyes

wrapping their arms around themselves

repeatedly folding and unfolding their arms

clutching at themselves, their hip/shoulder/stomach

drawn in/furrowed brows

avoiding eye contact

jittery

pitched voice

no appetite or nervous eating so a bigger appetite

pacing

toying with things

restless

bouncing leg

rubbing at their face

scratching

sweating trembling

Hey there! I'm excited to share with you a new series I've created on Show Don't Tell. In this series, I dive deep into each emotion individually and provide a detailed list of ways to show it through body language, action, setting, and more. The first emotion we're exploring is Envy, and I promise you won't want to miss it! Check it out and let me know what you think. And if there's an emotion you'd like me to cover next, don't hesitate to leave a suggestion in the comments. Can't wait to hear from you!

[prompt-heaven]

100 different AUs

academic au

alien au

alpha/beta/omega au

amnesia au

apocalypse au

artist au

arranged marriage au

assassin au

athlete au

babysitter/nanny au

bakery au

bartender au

billionaire au

bodyguard au

bodyswap au

bookstore au

bounty hunter au

brother's best friend/dad's best friend au

camgirl au

camp counselor au

chef au

circus au

coffee shop au

cowboy au

cult au

dark au

deserted island au

dog walker au

dystopian au

enemies to lovers/rivals au

fairy tale au

fake relationship au

fantasy au

farm au

firefighter au

fisherman au

flower shop au

friends with benefits au

ghost au

grocery store au

guardian angel au

haunted house au

historical au

hitchhiker au

holiday au

hospital au

hunter/prey au

kidnapping au

law enforcement au

library au

lifeguard au

lumberjack au

mafia/mob au

maid/butler au

magic au

master/slave au

mechanic au

mermaid au

model au

modern au

monster au

mundane au

music store au

neighbour au

office/coworker au

paranormal investigator au

pen pal au

pirate au

prison au

private detective au

reincarnation au

road trip au

rockstar au

roommate au

royalty au

scientist au

sex worker au

single parent au

slasher au

soulmates au

space au

spy au

stalker au

stepcest au

street racer au

sugar daddy au

superhero au

surfer au

tattoo artist au

teacher/professor/tutor au

time travel au

treasure hunter au

undercover au

vampire/werewolf au

veterinarian au

vigilante au

wedding planner au

western au

witch au

yandere au

[stealingyourbones]

DPXDC trope writing challenge!

Choose a number of these common DPXDC tropes and write a blurb or fic without using these tropes! Easy Mode: chose 3 tropes from the list. Medium: Choose 5-7 tropes from the list. Hard: Choose 8-10 tropes from the list Batshit Crazy: 15+ tropes from the list.

Twin/Sibling AU

Lazarus water is Ectoplasm

Jason Is Liminal/Revenant/Halfa AU

Ghost King Danny AU

Adoption AU

Runaway AU

Ships

Danny Mistaken for [X] AU

Eldritch Danny AU

Slow Heartbeat/Inhuman looking Danny

Batfamily

Danny Lives in Gotham

Summoning AU

Evil Fentons AU

Alternate Dimension of [X] Character AU

GIW as Main Plot/Antagonists

Ghost Convention

Evil Superman

Magic Users Involvement

Kryptonite is Ectoplasm

Danny Owns Constantine's Soul

Jazz works at Arkham

Danny is a Clone (Superman/Batman/a Batboy, etc.)

Goes to Gala

Gotham is an Old Ghost

Happy writing y'all!! Sometimes putting yourself in a box makes you even more creative. Hope ya enjoy this writing challenge :D

[katapotato55]

how to make your writing be remembered forever and possibly be well loved.

(incredibly stupid and silly fanfiction line at the end of this post) I know that title is incredibly daunting but listen, its very simple. you ready?

MAKE STRONG CHARACTERS

"but kat! surely its not that simple! " nononono listen. bear with me. I want you to think of your favorite thing. Now ask: what do you remember the most about the thing you love? I will go first:

I love team fortress 2. and guess what: this game has been around since 2007, and was in development hell since before I was even born. The game has been around for 16 fucking years. And guess what? in the strong year of 2023 team fortress 2 Is STILL getting memed about. and do you want to know the crazy part? the character designs to the naked eye are not special at all. ok sure from a designer standpoint, these are very well designed characters made so that you can easily tell who they are based on their silhouette. but from the average joe.... tf2 is iconic but overall it looks ok. it doesn't seem special to a stranger to tf2. look at this completely random and arbitrary example of a game in the same genre:

I don't know shit about the characters in overwatch. Yeah i have a BASIC idea on what their personality is like based on voice lines and some videos i guess... but in-game they just exist. these characters are brightly colored, they have beautiful unique designs, hell they have even more diversity such as robots and people from other cultures! but i don't remember shit about these characters. Maybe I remember the ice lady and tracer, but nothing else. and yeah part of overwatch struggling right now is incompetant development, BUT: The characters in team fortress 2 are SO remember-able because the characters have such a vibrant personality. I am an orange box owner, its been a decade and a half and I am still remembering this game and enjoying art about it.

"but kat! that is a comedy game! Overwatch is a very serious game! are you saying comedy is needed to make a character more noticeable?" no. though I think allowing your characters to lighten up every now and then would humanize them. Not full on goofy, just give them something that makes them likeable. and if you cant do that, you can STILL make a compelling character even though they are mostly seriousness. I have an even more awfully thought out example:

kung fu panda is a masterclass in making a serious comedic movie somehow work. Master Oogway.... he isn't a comedic character at all. Yeah we made memes about him, but ignoring that, he is a wise and resourceful person. He is at calm and has faith in this intuition. there are a lot of characters like this. What makes Oogway stand out is that he is also a little bit kooky and sassy.

this youtube clip sums up what I mean. It is a funny line, it fits the character, and It doesn't ruin the seriousness of the moment. Some of the most successful series in history have something about them that has appealed to people. In my opinion: characters with strong personality and interesting traits is always a good way to ensure your writing is successful. The second most important is the characters bouncing off of each other in terms of their chemistry with each other. There is a reason why I spent years playing the first Destiny game and all of the DLC, but I remember fuck all about the characters. I think I maybe remember the bootleg star lord robot guy.

A writing exercise

here is an exercise to get you in the spirit of character making. step 1- get a random character from a random bit of media. In this case let me bring you master Oogway. Step 2- Get a completely different character from a completely unrelated series. I am going to give you Scout from team fortress 2. step 3- write a random ass thing about them interacting. Think about how the characters would react to each other and why. Think about each characters values in life and think about how they would bond and conflict with each other. Think about characters similar to the character they met in the past and how they reacted then, and if they have never interacted, make something interesting with it. Step 4- keep experimenting. Once you get into the spirit you can apply this to any new character you could want to make anyways thats it byeee- "arent you going to do that ?" do what? "make a writing thing about oogway and scout. " ........

Scout: let's go turtle you got nothing on my speed- Oogway: The one who first resorts to violence shows that he has no more arguments. Scout: that sounds like chicken talk! come on tough guy let me have it- Oogway then proceeds to make scout eat shit before vanishing in a cloud of cherry blossoms and dust from the desert. If this post isn't popular I want you to know my dignity was lost for nothing.

[starry-bi-sky]

Danyal Al Ghul's missed potential - this kid is not gonna behave like his canon self if he's with the league of assassins until his late formative years, and my reasoning why

(feel free to take this all with a grain of salt this is just my thoughts on it, this is all mostly amusing to me and isn't trying to be negative towards anyone else)

similar to how i was talking about how danny growing up in crime alley would affect him, demon twin aus with danyal al ghul make me laugh a lot (affectionate) because... whose teaching danny to unlearn all the ecofascism he picked up from the league of assassins? whose teaching him to be kind? to be gentle? Not the LoA thats for certain.

(you could plausibly say Jazz but she's only 2 years older than Danny and do you really expect a fellow child to properly explain why X is wrong to another child and have it be 100% effective? i don't doubt it'd help to an extent, but not in the same way an adult explaining it would)

plus a ton of other things, like whose teaching him to value human life? not the LoA. Whose teaching him how to adjust to living with American society after he ends up with the Fentons when he's 8-9-10? Who teaches him that killing is wrong, whose enforcing that?

(not the Fentons if you're going the neglectful parent route, and Jazz can try but i really don't think Danny is going to listen to her, a stranger who isn't even part of his grandfather's league)

How do you teach a child to value human life when the greatest development window for that opportunity has closed and he's already formed his own opinions?

You're not gonna get a Danny whose exactly like his canon attitude if he's staying with the league during his formative years (0-8 years old). you're not. You could get someone LIKE it, potentially, or someone who has traces of it or is similar -- like danny's wit and jokes and sarcasm, and on some level his kindness. but you're not gonna have a carbon copy. Development doesn't work that way. "nature" can only do so much in the face of nurture.

If anything, it doesn't even have to be a major change -- in the league he cans till be kind, but it's probably going to manifest in a different way than what is considered normal. Tough love, for one. But there's gonna be something that affects him negatively. Why make him 'always good/kind' when you can make him a brat who develops into a kinder (if spikier than in canon) person?

TLDR: Danyal Al Ghul would not be like how he is in canon if he's with the league until his late formative years -- not without any lasting pr permanent impacts from the league at least. Missed potential to make him an absolute nightmare like damian was -- especially in his early years when he first arrived to the Fenton house.

(this doesn't apply to danyal al ghul aus where he's either given to the fentons as a baby/is reincarnated/etc. this is mostly aimed for danyal al ghul aus where he fakes his death at like, 7-10 and somehow ends up, personality-wise like his completely canon self by 14 without any differences.)

(and even then if he's five or four, or even three, he would still be traumatized and influenced by the league. he'll just have more time to adjust. the sooner he leaves the league the more likely he is to be like his canon self, but not like an exact copy)

(more under the cut)

Anyways what I'm saying is that there is prime missed Danyal al Ghul potential to make him an absolute NIGHTMARE to the Fentons however way he ends up with them, just like Damian was with the Waynes! Cuz why does Damian get all the fun? Danny got the same training and endoctrine as him! He is also an ex-assassin! Why is Danny the only one who is 'well adjusted and non-violent' hm? Hmm?

Why can't he also be mean, and stabby, and a total stuck-up in some way or another? Have fun with his characterization, its prime opportunity to play play-doh and clay with him! If he starts out as X how does he get the personality traits of Y, and thus become XY?

Like take this with a grain of salt if you will, but make him arrogant. Make him an asshole! Make him a bad person at first! Because he will be! He's the blood son of the batman and you mean to tell me that damian is the only one arrogant about it at first? Make him stabby and mean even at 14 when he's begun to chill out! Have fun with it! If he's with the Fentons at any point past the age of four or five then he's gonna be a nightmare to handle because he still remembers the league and his time there.

(and while it gives him more time to chill the hell out, his time at the league is still gonna leave an impact on him.)

also what im saying as well is have him and sam potentially get along like a house on FIRE. Again, Danny grew up under the views of an ecofascist cult and nobody to challenge those views to him until he got to amity park at whatever age in late formative years he was at. He could be about as intense or even MORE intense about environmental awareness/rights than Sam is!

(also him being supremely unimpressed with Sam's wealth. he gave up a palace in the mountains for this town. because that's funny to me - like let his past have more influence on him! it'll be fun!)

you could have a danny who doesn't kill but doesn't fully understand the value of human life because jazz is like two years older than him and isn't that good at explaining why people's lives are important. he won't kill but he's not morally opposed to it. there's very little chance he actually gets bullied at school because he nearly killed Dash the first time he tried anything.

Danny could have scars, physical ones, because its implied in multiple canon that training starts at toddling (my best bet is 3 at minimum and ~maybe~ 2 but only on the later side of 2. Good fucking luck getting any infant under 2 to do anything you ask, ESPECIALLY assassin training. They're gonna stick the weapon in their mouth sooner than they're gonna do katas. This is coming from a daycare teacher.)

there's more examples of how danny being at the league during his formative years would affect him, but those are just some of them. he could have a sword! An appreciation for weaponry and nature. Maybe he still speaks all shakespearan and formal, does he still make bodily threats to people? If Damian is still threatening people at 14 why can't danny?

[cryptwrites]

Poisons

Hello! I'm gonna share how I go about writing poisons and the things I think are helpful to keep in mind. Now, I have never actually poisoned someone - shocker - but I have done extensive research on the topic, so I would say I know a decent amount about how to effectively poison someone. Disclaimer: This is for writing purposes only, don't poison people. Thanks.

Keep In Mind:

Poisoners need little to no physical strength although they do need a strong sense of self control & nerves of steel. Shooting or stabbing someone takes a mere moment of consideration and is frequently the result of  a split second decision, while position requires dedication. Many poisons require a certain amount of time to work and the poisoner usually must administer several doses of poison in order to work. The poisoner also usually must be within close proximity to their victim and often will have to look them in the eye and engage with the person while the person slowly dies.

Exotic poisons can be more trouble than they’re worth. Importing exotic poisons leaves a trail for authorities to follow, and they require more research to correctly use.

Smart poisoners work with what they’ve got. The clever killer looks for drugs that are already in the victim’s medicine cabinet and that could be deadly. Read medical warning labels to get an idea of how to use them.

Poison can be used in ways that aren’t deadly. If the goal isn’t death, you can render someone dizzy or dopey, making a character vulnerable to a bad influence. 

Common Poisons

Hemlock: Poison hemlock comes from a large fern-like plant that bears a dangerous resemblance to the carrot plant. It was readily available for treating muscle spasms, ulcers, and swelling, but in large doses will cause paralysis and ultimately respiratory failure. 

Mandrake: It was used as a sedative, hallucinogen and aphrodisiac. Superstition mediaeval denizens believes when the vaguely human-shaped root was pulled out that plant gave a piercing shriek that would drive anyone to madness or death - hence the harry potter scene.

Arsenic: Arsenic comes from a metalloid and not a plant, unlike the others but it’s easily the most famous and is still used today. instead of being distilled from a plant, chunks of arsenic and dug up or mined. It was once used as a treatment for STDs , and also for pest control and blacksmiths, which was how many poisoners got access to it. It was popular in the Renaissance since it looked similar to malaria death, due to acute symptoms including stomach cramps, confusion, convulsions, vomiting and death. Slow poisoning looked more like a heart attack.

Nightshade: A single leaf or a few berries could cause hallucinations - a few more was a lethal dose. Mediaeval women used the juice of the berries to colour their cheeks, they would even put a few drops on their eyes to cause the pupils to dilate for a lovestruck look which is why Nightshade is also called ‘Belladonna’ or “Beautiful woman.” The symptoms include dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, flushing, severely dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium and convulsions.

Aconite: This toxic plant, also called Monkshood or Wolfsbane, was used by indigenous tribes around the world as arrow poison. The root is the most potent for distillation. Marked symptoms may appear almost immediately, usually not later than one hour, and with large doses death is near instantaneous. The initial signs are gastrointestinal including nausea, and vomiting. This is followed by a sensation of burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth and face, and of burning in the abdomen. In severe poisonings pronounced motor weakness occurs and sensations of tingling and numbness spread to the limbs. The plant should be handled with gloves, as the poison can seep into the skin.

If someones poisoning another:

The character should analyse the daily life of the target well before attempting to poison them. Note what sort of medicines they take, at what moments they are most vulnerable, how attentive they are to their surroundings, and so on.

Choose a poison that suits your needs. You need to be as discreet as possible and not arouse suspicion. Too dramatic and people will know something is up. Choose poisons that are easy to slip into meals/don't have to be administered constantly, or you could simply frame it as an overdose by using the target's own medicines.

Think of how you want to administer the poison. Some take effect through touch while some require being swallowed. Based on that, come up with a plan to poison your target.

Make sure everything corresponds with the plot and characters, and nothing becomes a plot hole. Don't have a typically nervous character be perfectly calm when thinking of poisoning. Don't poison someone just for the sake of it. Have everything tie back to the plot, your characters rarely should be poisonings someone just for the "cool" effect. Trust me, it doesn't actually have that effect and just comes off like lazy writing. Have your characters act in accordance with their personalities.

Research time periods and history when choosing poisons. Not all poisons were popular during the same time periods, and not all of them are native to the same geographical areas.

[sermna]

Like many schools, we had a selection of ghosts. The woman hanging in the bathroom, the boy in the closets, whatever it was that lived in the long, low hallways. Most notable, however, was the one that could be seen any time you liked, provided it was dark outside. All you had to do was approach the auditorium from outside, head on, and stare upwards at the highest window. There was a severed head there, and it stared.

My friends and I made this little ghost adventure more than once, giggling and nervous as the building slowly loomed over us, it's bodiless denizen staring slack jawed. You had to be brave enough to reach the stairs to the door before you'd see the truth— the "head" was only a clock.

No one knew how the illusion worked. The clock itself was standard-issue; black numbers on white backing, no ornate details. But you could know full well what it was from a distance and still only see the formless details of a staring face. This was in the 2000's, so video of the phenomenon was useless, and the auditorium itself was torn down long before phone cameras would be good enough to capture it (if they even could).

It was maybe the easiest ghost we had to debunk. It was also the realest one we had.

[cauthonj]

The Daily Prompt: May 30, 2022

The Daily Prompt: May 30, 2022

Thank you for checking out today’s daily prompt. Come back tomorrow for a brand new prompt, or if you want all the prompts for the month in advance, sign up for my newsletter.  You will gain access to my Writer’s Resource Library, which contains a prompt calendar for each month, plus many more writing resources.

[the-cypress-grove]

October One Word Writing Challenge

Beginnings

Cobbled

Time

Pyre

Silver

Pearl

Fever

Honour

Righteousness

Poison

Spirit

Trinket

Prophesise

Evening

Knowledge

Glorious

Ocean

Guide

Candle

Wallpaper

Homeward

Star

Fur

Diary

Carriage

Gift

Sorrow

Veins

Madness

River

Endings

[creativepromptsforwriting]

May Writing Challenge

This May I want to get back into writing. I’m not at all consistent. I’m at a point where I don’t feel like I can work on bigger things, because I can’t guarantee myself to keep working on it in a week from now. So I will take this month as a training month to get back into the habit of writing. I will do this by writing (or trying to write) 200 words every day. Topic is irrelevant. How great my writing is that day is irrelevant. Just 200 words written down. A habit taking 21 days to form was debunked, it does take a lot longer, but 31 days are a start I would say. These are already 140 words, so 200 words every day are hopefully manageable. You're more than welcome to join me if you like 😊

[taytjiefourie]

Show Don't Tell: Anger

Greetings, lovely people! It's great to be back with another post in my 'Show Don't Tell' series! I hope you've all been doing well. Without further ado, let's dive right into today's topic: anger.

Anger is a powerful and complex emotion that can manifest in many ways. It can range from a mild irritation to a full-blown rage, and can be triggered by a variety of factors, including frustration, injustice, or hurt. While it's natural to want to avoid anger in our personal lives, it can actually be a useful tool when it comes to creative writing.

When it comes to writing, anger can add depth and complexity to characters and their interactions. By showing a character's anger, we can reveal their motivations, values, and flaws, and create a more dynamic and realistic portrayal of human emotion. Additionally, anger can create tension and conflict in a story, driving the plot forward and keeping readers engaged.

But hey, I'm not here to talk about the nitty-gritty of anger. I'm here to help you learn how to effectively show your character's anger in your writing! So let's dive right in, starting with the powerful tool of body language.

Clenched fists

Tightly crossed arms

Stiff or rigid posture

Facial expressions like frowning, scowling, or furrowing their brows

Pacing or restlessness

Grinding teeth or jaw clenching

Aggressive gestures like pointing or shaking a finger

Staring or glaring

Raised voice or shouting

Heavy breathing or sighing

Pounding a fist on a surface

Tightened or bulging neck muscles

Sweating or flushed skin

Looking away or avoiding eye contact

Physical violence, such as hitting or throwing objects

Tensing or flexing muscles

Clenching or unclenching fists repeatedly

Baring teeth or showing a snarl

Raising eyebrows or narrowing eyes

Rolling eyes or making sarcastic facial expressions

Biting or chewing on their lips

Tapping their foot or fingers impatiently

Leaning in aggressively or invading personal space

Hunching over or making themselves appear smaller

Using a monotone or clipped tone of voice

Holding their breath or exhaling loudly

Clapping hands sarcastically or making dismissive hand gestures

Making fists and shaking them at someone

Puffing up their chest or standing tall to appear more imposing

Stomping their feet or making loud footsteps.

Scrunching their nose or flaring nostrils

Puckering or twisting their mouth

Tugging or pulling at their hair or clothing

Crossing or uncrossing their legs or ankles abruptly

Bending or clenching their toes or curling their toes tightly

Bouncing or tapping their knee rapidly

Grinding or rubbing their hands together

Picking at their nails or skin

Covering their face or eyes with their hands

Throwing their head back in frustration or exasperation.

Raising or lowering their voice

Slamming things down too hard that they are carrying.

Pursing their lips and nodding.

Running their tongue on the inside of their cheek.

Stalking instead of walking

Scratching their head or neck vigorously

Pulling or tugging at their ears

Biting their tongue or inside of their cheek

Flinching or tensing up when someone approaches them

Nodding their head sharply or repeatedly

Squeezing or gripping an object tightly, such as a pen or a phone

Slamming doors or drawers

Puffing out their cheeks or blowing air out forcefully

Fidgeting or shifting their weight from foot to foot

Raising one or both eyebrows in surprise or anger.

Shrugging off someone's touch or pushing them away

Curling their lips or sneering

Tilting their head back and closing their eyes

Scrunching up their face in disgust or disapproval

Stomping their foot or kicking an object

Folding their arms tightly across their chest

Clutching their stomach or chest

Rubbing their hands together quickly

Stiffening their body or freezing in place

Turning their back on someone or walking away abruptly.

Making a fist and pressing it into their other hand

Running a hand through their hair in frustration

Holding their hand to their forehead or temple

Biting their lower lip or the inside of their cheek

Tensing their jaw and grinding their teeth

Clenching their fists behind their back or in their pockets

Tugging at their collar or tie

Staring daggers or giving someone a withering look

Curling their toes or flexing their feet

Drumming their fingers or tapping their nails on a surface.

Covering their mouth with their hand and closing their eyes.

Scratching or rubbing the back of their neck

Rubbing their eyes or face vigorously

Putting their hands on their hips and leaning forward

Standing up abruptly or pacing back and forth

Pushing a chair or other object out of the way

Clapping their hands sharply or slamming them on a surface

Breathing heavily or audibly

Hunching their shoulders or shrugging in frustration

There are so many ways to bring your character's anger to life in your writing, and your readers will feel it in their bones! Body language is just one tool in your arsenal, but there are plenty of others to explore. Next up, let's talk about sensory details. While there may be some overlap with body language, there are also unique ways to use sensory details to convey anger.

Sensory details are all about bringing your reader into your character's experience by describing what they feel, see, hear, taste, and smell. But it's not just about surface-level sensations; it's about capturing what your character feels on the inside too. Think about the way anger might make your character's heart race or their vision narrow, or the way it might leave a sour taste in their mouth or make them hyper-aware of certain smells.

Clenched teeth or jaw

Rapid heartbeat or pounding in the chest

Flushed or reddened face

Sweating or clammy skin

Heavy breathing or panting

Muscles tensing or knotting up

Twitching or trembling limbs

Ringing in the ears or muffled sounds

Vision tunneling or blurring

Sensitivity to light or sound

Tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes

Pounding or throbbing headache

Dry mouth or tightness in the throat

Stomach churning or nausea

Tingling or itching sensation on the skin

Increased sensitivity to smells or tastes

Loss of appetite or overeating

Difficulty concentrating or focusing

Racing thoughts or an inability to think straight

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

Tense or stiff neck and shoulders

Clammy or shaking hands

Uncontrollable shaking or shivering

Rapid speech or stuttering

Breathy or strained voice

High-pitched or shrill tone

Swelling or throbbing veins

Rapid blinking or eye twitching

Heavy or labored sighs

Chills or goosebumps

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Flushed or blotchy skin

Pacing or restless movements

Increased energy or restlessness

Headache or pressure in the temples

Chest tightness or discomfort

Dry or sweaty palms

Fidgeting or tapping feet or fingers

Frowning or scowling

Clenching or grinding teeth.

Action is the next layer in showing your character's anger. It's all about capturing the choices they make and the way they interact with their surroundings and other characters while feeling that intense emotion. Maybe they lash out and say things they regret later, or they bottle up their anger and internalize it until it explodes. Maybe they turn to self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or reckless driving, or they channel their anger into a creative outlet like writing or painting. Whatever actions your character takes, they can reveal a lot about their personality, values, and motivations, and help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Yelling or screaming

Throwing objects or slamming doors

Punching or hitting walls

Physically attacking someone

Storming out of a room or location

Refusing to engage in conversation

Passive-aggressive behavior

Giving the silent treatment

Ignoring or avoiding the source of their anger

Interrupting others or talking over them

Criticizing or belittling others

Blaming others for their problems

Making sarcastic or cutting remarks

Engaging in risky behavior or taking unnecessary risks

Excessive drinking or drug use

Engaging in self-harm or other destructive behaviors

Seeking revenge or planning retaliation

Seeking control or power over others

Using manipulation or coercion to get what they want

Betraying or sabotaging others

Withholding affection or love

Sarcasm

Eye-rolling

Mocking or imitating others

Giving ultimatums

Exaggerating or lying about their feelings or experiences

Making threats

Refusing to compromise

Refusing to listen or hear other perspectives.

Getting physically tense or rigid

Clenching their fists or teeth

Biting their nails or lips

Fidgeting or tapping their foot

Pacing back and forth

Making abrupt or sudden movements

Staring or glaring at someone

Crossing their arms or legs defensively

Scratching or rubbing their skin

Crying or showing signs of distress

Withdrawal or isolation from others

Demanding attention or validation from others

Disrupting the peace or harmony in a space or environment

Refusing to follow rules or guidelines

Engaging in arguments or fights with others

Becoming overly competitive or aggressive in their pursuits

Ignoring advice or guidance from others

Showing a lack of empathy or compassion towards others

Being overly critical or nitpicky

Refusing to apologize or take responsibility for their actions.

Exhibiting physical symptoms like sweating or shaking

Making demands or issuing commands to others

Engaging in reckless or dangerous behavior

Becoming overly defensive or argumentative

Engaging in self-destructive behavior or self-sabotage

Refusing to acknowledge or address the source of their anger

Blaming themselves for problems that are not their fault

Seeking out conflict or confrontation with others

Using passive-aggressive behavior to communicate their anger

Engaging in obsessive or compulsive behaviors

Struggling to focus or concentrate due to their anger

Engaging in self-soothing behaviors like rocking or pacing

Using humor to mask or downplay their anger

Becoming distant or disengaged from others.

Now, let's talk about setting. It's not just where your characters are, but how they react to it. This means the environment can be used to show off their anger or even help readers understand why they are feeling angry.

Secluding themselves in a quiet, isolated part of the environment

Moving quickly and aggressively through the environment

Becoming agitated or restless in a peaceful or serene environment

Ignoring or avoiding other characters in the environment

Intentionally damaging the environment or objects within it

Distancing themselves from others or backing away from objects in the environment

Taking actions that disrupt the peace or harmony of the environment, such as slamming doors or turning over tables

Focusing on negative aspects of the environment, such as dirt or clutter, and feeling anger towards those elements

Becoming fixated on a particular aspect of the environment and feeling anger towards anyone who interferes with it.

Avoiding eye contact with others in the environment

Making sarcastic or biting comments about the environment

Displaying impatience or frustration with slow-moving objects or people in the environment

Purposefully choosing a more hostile or uncomfortable location to match their angry emotional state

Remember how a bright, sunny day with chirping birds and fresh flowers can instantly put you in a happy mood? Well, the same goes for the location in your story. Even without a character present, scenery can influence the way readers perceive the mood. So, when it comes to anger, the location can be used to set the tone just as much as the character's actions and emotions.

Weather: Dark clouds, lightning, thunder, and heavy rain can create an ominous and angry atmosphere.

Time of Day: Nighttime or sunset can create a moody and angry atmosphere.

Location: A rundown or dangerous part of town can create a sense of anger or unease.

Objects: Broken or destroyed objects can indicate a character's anger and frustration.

Colors: Dark or vibrant colors like red or black can be used to create a sense of anger.

Noises: Loud, jarring noises like alarms or sirens can create a sense of anger and urgency.

Crowds: A crowded or noisy environment can be used to create feelings of anger or irritation.

Architecture: Cold or sterile environments like hospitals or government buildings can create a sense of anger and frustration.

Nature: A barren or lifeless landscape can create a sense of anger or despair.

Animals: Aggressive or hostile animals can be used to create a sense of danger and anger.

Now, let's talk about dialogue. There's nothing quite like a character yelling and cussing up a storm to show their anger, right? It's one of the most powerful ways to convey intense emotions through words. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the ways in which dialogue can be used to show anger in your writing!

Cursing and using expletives

Speaking loudly and aggressively

Interrupting others and speaking over them

Using sarcastic or mocking tones

Making threats or using violent language

Using short, sharp sentences or phrases

Speaking through gritted teeth or a clenched jaw

Insulting or belittling others

Using repetitive or redundant language

Refusing to engage in conversation or responding with silence.

Using rhetorical questions that are meant to convey frustration

Interrupting themselves mid-sentence with a burst of anger

Repeating a particular phrase or word to emphasize their anger

Using a dismissive tone to indicate irritation or impatience

Speaking with a tone that is icy or cold

Using a monotone voice to convey anger and frustration

Resorting to name-calling or insults

Being defensive or argumentative in their responses

Speaking rapidly and stumbling over their words in their anger

Using a confrontational or challenging tone to express anger.

And what comes after all of that? Well, my dear friend, when you've exhausted their words, body language, senses, and actions, what's left? That's when you dive into their mind and explore their point of view. You can write about their thoughts and inner dialogue to really capture the depth of their anger.

Negative thoughts about others or the situation

Self-criticism and frustration

Dwelling on past events that caused the anger

Increased cynicism and pessimism

A desire for revenge or justice

Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks

Racing or intrusive thoughts

A feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control

A sense of injustice or unfair treatment

Blaming others or external circumstances for their anger

Now we come to the last item on our list - metaphors and analogies. They are frequently used in writing to create colorful and vivid descriptions, and can also effectively convey a character's anger. However, it's important to be careful with their use, as readers can become annoyed if they are overused.

"Her anger burned like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path."

"He felt like a coiled snake, ready to strike at any moment."

"Her anger was a thunderstorm, building and brewing until it finally erupted."

"His anger was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any second."

"She felt like a volcano, with her anger bubbling just below the surface."

"His anger was a raging river, with powerful currents and dangerous undertows."

"She felt like a caged animal, trapped and helpless in her anger."

"His anger was a sharp sword, cutting through everything in its way."

"She felt like a stormy sea, with her anger churning like the waves."

"His anger was a blazing inferno, burning everything in its wake."

"His anger boiled like lava in a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment."

"Her words sliced through me like a knife, leaving me raw and bleeding with anger."

"He was a ticking time bomb, just waiting to explode with fury."

"Her temper was a wildfire, spreading quickly and uncontrollably."

"His rage was a storm, brewing and building until it unleashed with a violent outburst."

"She was a snake, coiled and ready to strike with venomous anger."

"His fury was a thunderous roar, shaking the very foundations of the earth."

"Her temper was a beast, wild and untamed, impossible to control."

"His anger was a whirlpool, pulling me down into its dark depths."

"She was a volcano, her anger a fiery eruption that left nothing but destruction in its wake."

Well, that's all for today's post. It's always bittersweet to say goodbye, but don't worry, I'll be back soon with more juicy writing tips! Before I go, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post. Did you find it helpful? Did you learn something new? And more importantly, what other emotions do you want me to tackle next? Let me know in the comments below!

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