CHARACTER FACIAL EXPRESSIONS (WRITING REFERENCE)

sclacen:

EYES/BROWS

  • his eyes widened
  • her eyes went round
  • her eyelids drooped
  • his eyes narrowed
  • his eyes lit up
  • his eyes darted
  • he squinted
  • she blinked
  • her eyes twinkled
  • his eyes gleamed
  • her eyes sparkled
  • his eyes flashed
  • his eyes glinted
  • his eyes burned with…
  • her eyes blazed with…
  • her eyes sparked with…
  • her eyes flickered with…
  • _____ glowed in his eyes
  • the corners of his eyes crinkled
  • she rolled her eyes
  • he looked heavenward
  • she glanced up to the ceiling
  • she winked
  • tears filled her eyes
  • his eyes welled up
  • her eyes swam with tears
  • his eyes flooded with tears
  • her eyes were wet
  • his eyes glistened
  • tears shimmered in her eyes
  • tears shone in his eyes
  • her eyes were glossy
  • he was fighting back tears
  • tears ran down her cheeks
  • his eyes closed
  • she squeezed her eyes shut
  • he shut his eyes
  • his lashes fluttered
  • she batted her lashes
  • his brows knitted
  • her forehead creased
  • his forehead furrowed
  • her forehead puckered
  • a line appeared between her brows
  • his brows drew together
  • her brows snapped together
  • his eyebrows rose
  • she raised a brow
  • he lifted an eyebrow
  • his eyebrows waggled
  • she gave him a once-over
  • he sized her up
  • her eyes bored into him
  • she took in the sight of…
  • he glared
  • she peered
  • he gazed
  • she glanced
  • he stared
  • she scrutinized
  • he studied
  • she gaped
  • he observed
  • she surveyed
  • he gawked
  • he leered
  • his pupils (were) dilated
  • her pupils were huge
  • his pupils flared

NOSE

  • her nose crinkled
  • his nose wrinkled
  • she sneered
  • his nostrils flared
  • she stuck her nose in the air
  • he sniffed
  • she sniffled

MOUTH

  • she smiled
  • he smirked
  • she grinned
  • he simpered
  • she beamed
  • her mouth curved into a smile
  • the corners of his mouth turned up
  • the corner of her mouth quirked up
  • a corner of his mouth lifted
  • his mouth twitched
  • he gave a half-smile
  • she gave a lopsided grin
  • his mouth twisted
  • he plastered a smile on his face
  • she forced a smile
  • he faked a smile
  • her smile faded
  • his smile slipped
  • he pursed his lips
  • she pouted
  • his mouth snapped shut
  • her mouth set in a hard line
  • he pressed his lips together
  • she bit her lip
  • he drew his lower lip between his teeth
  • she nibbled on her bottom lip
  • he chewed on his bottom lip
  • his jaw set
  • her jaw clenched
  • his jaw tightened
  • a muscle in her jaw twitched
  • he ground his jaw
  • he snarled/his lips drew back in a snarl
  • her mouth fell open
  • his jaw dropped
  • her jaw went slack
  • he gritted his teeth
  • she gnashed her teeth
  • her lower lip trembled
  • his lower lip quivered

SKIN

  • she paled
  • he blanched
  • she went white
  • the color drained out of his face
  • his face reddened
  • her cheeks turned pink
  • his face flushed
  • she blushed
  • he turned red
  • she turned scarlet
  • he turned crimson
  • a flush crept up her face

WHOLE FACE, ETC.

  • he screwed up his face
  • she scrunched up her face
  • he grimaced
  • she winced
  • she gave him a dirty look
  • he frowned
  • she scowled
  • he glowered
  • her whole face lit up
  • she brightened
  • his face went blank
  • her face contorted
  • his face twisted
  • her expression closed up
  • his expression dulled
  • her expression hardened
  • she went poker-faced
  • a vein popped out in his neck
  • awe transformed his face
  • fear crossed her face
  • sadness clouded his features
  • terror overtook his face
  • recognition dawned on her face

SOURCE

Writing Tip June 4th

dreadwvlf:

badassunicorn2016:

A list of body language phrases.

I’ve included a very comprehensive list, organized by the type of body movement, hand and arm movements, facial expressions etc. In some cases, a phrase fits more than one heading, so it may appear twice. Possible emotions are given after each BL phrase unless the emotion is indicated within the phrase. (They are underlined for emphasis, not due to a hyperlink.)

Note: I’ve included a few body postures and body conditions as they are non-verbal testimony to the character’s physical condition.

Have fun and generate your own ideas.:-)

Eyes, Brows and Forehead

  • arched a sly brow:  sly, haughty
  • blinked owlishly:  just waking, focusing, needs glasses
  • brows bumped together in a scowl:  worried, disapproving, irritated
  • brows knitted in a frown: worried, disapproval, thoughtful
  • bug-eyed:  surprised, fear, horror
  • cocky wink and confident smile:  over confidence, arrogant, good humor, sexy humor
  • eyes burned with hatred: besides hatred this might suggest maniacal feelings
  • eyes flashed: fury, defiance, lust, promise, seduction
  • eyes rolled skyward: disbelief, distrust, humor
  • forehead puckered:  thoughtful, worried, irritation
  • frustration crinkled her eyes
  • gaze dipped to her décolletage: sexual interest, attraction, lust
  • gimlet-eyed/narrowed eyes: irritation, thoughtful, mean, angry
  • gleam of deviltry:  humor, conniving, cunning
  • kept eye contact but her gaze became glazed: pretending interest where there is none/bordom
  • narrowed to crinkled slits:  angry, distrust
  • nystagmic eyes missed nothing (constantly shifting eyes):  Shifty
  • pupils dilated:  interested, attraction to opposite sex, fear
  • raked her with freezing contempt
  • slammed his eyes shut:  stunned, furious, pain
  • squinted in a furtive manner:  fearful, sneaky
  • stared with cow eyes:  surprised, disbelief, hopeful, lovestruck
  • subtle wink:  sexy, humor/sharing a joke, sarcasm
  • unrelenting stare: distrust, demanding, high interest, unyielding

Place To Place, Stationary Or Posture

  • ambled away:  relaxed, lazy
  • barged ahead:  rude, hurried
  • battled his way through the melee:  desperate, anger, alarm
  • cruised into the diner:  easy-going, feeling dapper, confident
  • dawdled alongside the road:  lazy, deliberate delay for motives, unhurried, relaxed
  • dragged his blanket in the dirt:   sadness/depressed, weary
  • edged closer to him:  sneaky, seeking comfort, seeking protection, seeking an audience
  • he stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sudden interest, sexual attraction
  • held his crotch and danced a frantic jig: demonstrates physical condition – he has to pee
  • hips rolled and undulated:  sexy walk, exaggerating for sex appeal
  • hovered over them with malice/like a threatening storm: here it’s malice, but one may hover for many reasons.
  • hunched over to look shorter:  appear inconspicuous, ashamed of actions, ashamed of height
  • leaped into action feet hammering the marbled floor:  eager, fear, joyous
  • long-legged strides:  hurried, impatient
  • lumbered across:  heavy steps of a big man in a hurry
  • minced her way up to him: timid, sneaky, insecure, dainty or pretense at dainty
  • paced/prowled the halls:  worried, worried impatience, impatient, diligently seeking pivoted on his heel and took off:  mistaken and changes direction, following orders, hurried, abrupt change of mind, angry retreat
  • plodded down the road:  unhurried, burdened, reluctant
  • practiced sensual stroll:  sexy, showing off
  • rammed her bare foot into her jeans: angry, rushed
  • rocked back and forth on his heels: thoughtful, impatiently waiting
  • sagged against the wall:  exhausted, disappointment
  • sallied forth:  confident, determined
  • sashayed her cute little fanny:  confident, determined, angered and determined
  • shrank into the angry crowd:  fear, insecure, seeking to elude
  • sketched a brief bow and assumed a regal pose: confident, mocking, snooty, arrogant skidded to an abrupt halt: change of heart, fear, surprise, shock
  • skulked on the edges of the crowd: sneaky, ashamed, timid
  • slithered through the door:  sneaky, evil, bad intentions
  • stormed toward her, pulling up short when: anger with a sudden surprise
  • swaggered into the class room:  over confident, proud, arrogant, conceited
  • tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing
  • toe tapped a staccato rhythm:  impatience, irritation
  • tottered/staggered unsteadily then keeled over:  drunk, drugged, aged, ill
  • waltzed across the floor:  happy, blissful, exuberant, conceited, arrogant

Head Movement

  • cocked his head:  curiosity, smart-alecky, wondering, thoughtful
  • cocked his head left and rolled his eyes to right corner of the ceiling:  introspection
  • droop of his head: depressed, downcast, hiding true feelings
  • nodded vigorously: eager
  • tilted her head to one side while listening:  extreme interest, possibly sexual interest

Mouth And Jaw

  • a lackluster smile:  feigning cheerfulness
  • cigarette hung immobile in mouth: shock, lazy, uncaring, relaxed casualness
  • clinched his jaw at the sight:  angered, worried, surprised
  • curled her lips with icy contempt
  • expelled her breath in a whose:  relief, disappointment
  • gagged at the smell: disgust, distaste
  • gapped mouth stare:  surprised, shock, disbelief
  • gritted his teeth:  anger, irritation, holding back opinion
  • inhaled a sharp breath:  surprise, shock, fear, horror
  • licked her lips:  nervous, sexual attraction
  • lips primed: affronted, upset, insulted
  • lips pursed for a juicy kiss
  • lips pursed like she’d been chewing a lemon rind: dislike, angry, irritated, sarcasm
  • lips screwed into: irritation, anger, grimace, scorn
  • lips set in a grim line: sorrow, worried, fear of the worst
  • pursed her lips:  perturbed, waiting for a kiss
  • scarfed down the last biscuit:  physical hunger, greed
  • slack-mouthed:  total shock, disbelief
  • slow and sexy smile:  attraction, seductive, coy
  • smacked his lips: anticipation
  • smile congealed then melted into horror
  • smile dangled on the corner of his lips: cocky, sexy
  • smirked and tossed her hair over her shoulder:  conceit, sarcasm, over confident
  • sneered and flicked lint off his suit: sarcasm, conceit
  • spewed water and spit: shock
  • stuck out her tongue: humor, sarcasm, teasing, childish
  • toothy smile:  eagerness, hopeful
  • wary smile surfaced on her lips

Nose

  • nose wrinkled in distaste/at the aroma
  • nostrils flared:  anger, sexual attraction
  • nose in the air:  snooty, haughty

Face in General

  • crimson with fury
  • handed it over shame-faced
  • jutted his chin: confident, anger, forceful
  • managed a deadpan expression:  expressionless
  • muscles in her face tightened:  unsmiling, concealing emotions, anger, worried
  • rested his chin in his palm and looked thoughtful
  • rubbed a hand over his dark stubble:  thoughtful, ashamed of his appearance
  • screwed up her face:  anger, smiling, ready to cry, could almost be any emotion
  • sneered and flicked lint off his suit: conceit, derision, scorn

Arm and Hand

  • a vicious yank
  • arm curled around her waist, tugging her next to him:  possessive, pride, protective
  • bit her lip and glanced away:  shy, ashamed, insecure
  • brandished his fist:  anger, threatening, ready to fight, confident, show of pride
  • clamped his fingers into tender flesh:  anger, protective, wants to inflict pain
  • clenched his dirty little fists: stubborn, angry
  • clapped her hands on her hips, arms crooked like sugar bowel handles:  anger, demanding, disbelief
  • constantly twirled her hair and tucked it behind her ear:  attracted to the opposite sex, shy crossed his arms over his chest: waiting, impatient, putting a barrier
  • crushed the paper in his fist:  anger, surrender, discard
  • dived into the food: hunger, eager, greedy
  • doffed his hat:  polite gesture, mocking, teasing
  • doodled on the phone pad and tapped the air with her foot:  bored, inattention, introspection
  • drummed her fingers on the desk:  impatient, frustrated, bored
  • fanned her heated face with her hands: physically hot, embarrassed, indicating attraction
  • fiddled with his keys: nervous, bored
  • firm, palm to palm hand shake:  confident, honest
  • flipped him the bird: sarcastic discard
  • forked his fingers through his hair for the third time:  disquiet/consternation, worry, thoughtful
  • handed it over shame-faced:  guilt, shame
  • held his crotch and danced a frantic jig:  physical need to relieve himself
  • limp hand shake:  lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm
  • propped his elbow on his knee: relaxed, thoughtful
  • punched her pillow:  restless, can’t sleep, angry
  • rested his chin in his palm:  thoughful, worried
  • scratched his hairy belly and yawned:  indolent, bored, lazy, relaxed, just waking
  • shoulders lifted in a shrug:  doubtful, careless discard
  • slapped his face in front of God and country:  enraged, affronted/insulted
  • snapped a sharp salute:  respect, sarcastic gesture meaning the opposite of respect
  • snapped his fingers, expecting service:  arrogant, lack of respect, self-centered
  • sneered and flicked lint off his suit
  • spread her arms wide: welcoming,  joy, love
  • stabbed at the food: anger, hunger, determined
  • stood straighter and smoothed his tie:  sudden interest, possible sexual interest
  • stuffed his hands in his pockets: self-conscious, throwing up a barrier
  • sweaty handshake:  nervous, fearful
  • touched his arm several times while explaining:  sign of attraction, flattery, possessive
  • wide sweep of his arms:  welcoming, all inclusive gesture, horror

Sitting or Rising

  • collapsed in a stupor:  exhausted, drunk, drugged, disbelief
  • enthroned himself at the desk:  conceit, pronouncing or taking ownership
  • exploded out of the chair:  shock, eager, anger, supreme joy
  • roosted on the porch rail like a cock on a hen house roof:  claiming ownership, conceit, content
  • sat, squaring an ankle over one knee:  relaxed and open
  • slouched/wilted in a chair and paid languid attention to:  drowsy, lazy, depressed, disinterest, sad, totally relaxed, disrespectful
  • squirmed in his chair: ill at ease, nervous, needs the bathroom

Recline

  • flung himself into the bed: sad, depressed, exhausted, happy
  • prostrated himself: surrender, desperate, miserable, powerless, obsequious, fawning, flattering
  • punched her pillow:  can’t sleep, anger, frustrated
  • threw himself on the floor kicking and screaming: tantrum

Entire body and General

  • body stiffened at the remark:  offended, anger, alerted
  • body swayed to music:  dreamy, fond memories, enjoys the music
  • bounced in the car seat, pointing:  excitement, fear, eager
  • cowered behind his brother:  fear, shyness, coward, desperate
  • curled into a ball:  sorrow, fear, sleepy, defensive
  • heart galloping:  anxiety, joy, eager
  • held his crotch and danced a frantic jig
  • humped over his cane, each step shaking and careful: pain, aged
  • inhaled a deep breath and blew out slowly: buying time to find words/thoughtful, reconciled
  • quick and jerky like rusty cogs on a wheel:  unsure of actions, self-conscious, tense, edgy
  • rocked back and forth on his heels:  impatient, cocky, gleeful
  • manhandled the woman into a corner:  bully, anger
  • slumped shoulders: defeat, depressed, sad, surrender
  • stiff-backed:  priggish, haughty, affronted
  • stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sexual interest, wants to make an impression
  • stooped and bent: aged, arthritic, in pain
  • stretched extravagantly and yawned:  tired, bored, unconcerned
  • sweating uncontrollably: nervous, fear, guilt
  • tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing
  • was panting now at:  afraid, exhausted, out of breath, sexual excitement

-Sharla Rae

Creating plots with the zigzag method

1000storyideas:

I’ve learned this method years ago and I’ve been using it ever since. The zigzag plot creator starts like this: 

image

A crescent zigzag. 

You can have as many up and downs as you want. I’ve drawn six to keep it simple. Alright, this zigzag is your storyline and every corner is an important event that will change everything:

image

Every down represents a bad thing happening to your main characters, taking them further away from their goal. Every up is a good event, taking them closer to their goal:

image

So, when the zigzag goes down, something bad must happen. When the zigzag goes up, something good must happen. The reason why we drew a crescent zigzag is because every down must be worse than the previous, and every up must be better than the previous. As the zigzag advances, events become more serious and relevant. 

image

Let’s apply the zigzag method. My storyline is a detective trying to catch a serial killer in a futuristic city. Minutes later, this is what I’ve got:

image

Start: Detective, our protagonist, is just promoted

Down #1: Mass suicide happens in town, detective gets the case, the whole town thinks it might have been a religious suicide act, but detective suspects that someone single-handed killed all those people

Up #1: Detective finds clue about a possible killer

Down #2: A bigger mass murder happens, a true massacre, it’s a definitely a murder

Up #2: Detective finds the killer’s trail

Down #3: Thinking he is ahead of time, close to catching the killer, detective ends up dead in another mass murder

Up #3: Because of his notes and discoveries, the police is able to find the killer before they leave town

From this point on you can play with zigzag as much as you want. For example, changing the orientation of the zigzag for a bad ending:

image

Lots of ups and downs:

image

Or just a few:

image

It’s up to you (see what I did there?).

You can plot any type of story with the zigzag method. It’s a visual and easy process for a very complex task.

Writing Tip June 4th

dreadwvlf:

badassunicorn2016:

A list of body language phrases.

I’ve included a very comprehensive list, organized by the type of body movement, hand and arm movements, facial expressions etc. In some cases, a phrase fits more than one heading, so it may appear twice. Possible emotions are given after each BL phrase unless the emotion is indicated within the phrase. (They are underlined for emphasis, not due to a hyperlink.)

Note: I’ve included a few body postures and body conditions as they are non-verbal testimony to the character’s physical condition.

Have fun and generate your own ideas.:-)

Eyes, Brows and Forehead

  • arched a sly brow:  sly, haughty
  • blinked owlishly:  just waking, focusing, needs glasses
  • brows bumped together in a scowl:  worried, disapproving, irritated
  • brows knitted in a frown: worried, disapproval, thoughtful
  • bug-eyed:  surprised, fear, horror
  • cocky wink and confident smile:  over confidence, arrogant, good humor, sexy humor
  • eyes burned with hatred: besides hatred this might suggest maniacal feelings
  • eyes flashed: fury, defiance, lust, promise, seduction
  • eyes rolled skyward: disbelief, distrust, humor
  • forehead puckered:  thoughtful, worried, irritation
  • frustration crinkled her eyes
  • gaze dipped to her décolletage: sexual interest, attraction, lust
  • gimlet-eyed/narrowed eyes: irritation, thoughtful, mean, angry
  • gleam of deviltry:  humor, conniving, cunning
  • kept eye contact but her gaze became glazed: pretending interest where there is none/bordom
  • narrowed to crinkled slits:  angry, distrust
  • nystagmic eyes missed nothing (constantly shifting eyes):  Shifty
  • pupils dilated:  interested, attraction to opposite sex, fear
  • raked her with freezing contempt
  • slammed his eyes shut:  stunned, furious, pain
  • squinted in a furtive manner:  fearful, sneaky
  • stared with cow eyes:  surprised, disbelief, hopeful, lovestruck
  • subtle wink:  sexy, humor/sharing a joke, sarcasm
  • unrelenting stare: distrust, demanding, high interest, unyielding

Place To Place, Stationary Or Posture

  • ambled away:  relaxed, lazy
  • barged ahead:  rude, hurried
  • battled his way through the melee:  desperate, anger, alarm
  • cruised into the diner:  easy-going, feeling dapper, confident
  • dawdled alongside the road:  lazy, deliberate delay for motives, unhurried, relaxed
  • dragged his blanket in the dirt:   sadness/depressed, weary
  • edged closer to him:  sneaky, seeking comfort, seeking protection, seeking an audience
  • he stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sudden interest, sexual attraction
  • held his crotch and danced a frantic jig: demonstrates physical condition – he has to pee
  • hips rolled and undulated:  sexy walk, exaggerating for sex appeal
  • hovered over them with malice/like a threatening storm: here it’s malice, but one may hover for many reasons.
  • hunched over to look shorter:  appear inconspicuous, ashamed of actions, ashamed of height
  • leaped into action feet hammering the marbled floor:  eager, fear, joyous
  • long-legged strides:  hurried, impatient
  • lumbered across:  heavy steps of a big man in a hurry
  • minced her way up to him: timid, sneaky, insecure, dainty or pretense at dainty
  • paced/prowled the halls:  worried, worried impatience, impatient, diligently seeking pivoted on his heel and took off:  mistaken and changes direction, following orders, hurried, abrupt change of mind, angry retreat
  • plodded down the road:  unhurried, burdened, reluctant
  • practiced sensual stroll:  sexy, showing off
  • rammed her bare foot into her jeans: angry, rushed
  • rocked back and forth on his heels: thoughtful, impatiently waiting
  • sagged against the wall:  exhausted, disappointment
  • sallied forth:  confident, determined
  • sashayed her cute little fanny:  confident, determined, angered and determined
  • shrank into the angry crowd:  fear, insecure, seeking to elude
  • sketched a brief bow and assumed a regal pose: confident, mocking, snooty, arrogant skidded to an abrupt halt: change of heart, fear, surprise, shock
  • skulked on the edges of the crowd: sneaky, ashamed, timid
  • slithered through the door:  sneaky, evil, bad intentions
  • stormed toward her, pulling up short when: anger with a sudden surprise
  • swaggered into the class room:  over confident, proud, arrogant, conceited
  • tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing
  • toe tapped a staccato rhythm:  impatience, irritation
  • tottered/staggered unsteadily then keeled over:  drunk, drugged, aged, ill
  • waltzed across the floor:  happy, blissful, exuberant, conceited, arrogant

Head Movement

  • cocked his head:  curiosity, smart-alecky, wondering, thoughtful
  • cocked his head left and rolled his eyes to right corner of the ceiling:  introspection
  • droop of his head: depressed, downcast, hiding true feelings
  • nodded vigorously: eager
  • tilted her head to one side while listening:  extreme interest, possibly sexual interest

Mouth And Jaw

  • a lackluster smile:  feigning cheerfulness
  • cigarette hung immobile in mouth: shock, lazy, uncaring, relaxed casualness
  • clinched his jaw at the sight:  angered, worried, surprised
  • curled her lips with icy contempt
  • expelled her breath in a whose:  relief, disappointment
  • gagged at the smell: disgust, distaste
  • gapped mouth stare:  surprised, shock, disbelief
  • gritted his teeth:  anger, irritation, holding back opinion
  • inhaled a sharp breath:  surprise, shock, fear, horror
  • licked her lips:  nervous, sexual attraction
  • lips primed: affronted, upset, insulted
  • lips pursed for a juicy kiss
  • lips pursed like she’d been chewing a lemon rind: dislike, angry, irritated, sarcasm
  • lips screwed into: irritation, anger, grimace, scorn
  • lips set in a grim line: sorrow, worried, fear of the worst
  • pursed her lips:  perturbed, waiting for a kiss
  • scarfed down the last biscuit:  physical hunger, greed
  • slack-mouthed:  total shock, disbelief
  • slow and sexy smile:  attraction, seductive, coy
  • smacked his lips: anticipation
  • smile congealed then melted into horror
  • smile dangled on the corner of his lips: cocky, sexy
  • smirked and tossed her hair over her shoulder:  conceit, sarcasm, over confident
  • sneered and flicked lint off his suit: sarcasm, conceit
  • spewed water and spit: shock
  • stuck out her tongue: humor, sarcasm, teasing, childish
  • toothy smile:  eagerness, hopeful
  • wary smile surfaced on her lips

Nose

  • nose wrinkled in distaste/at the aroma
  • nostrils flared:  anger, sexual attraction
  • nose in the air:  snooty, haughty

Face in General

  • crimson with fury
  • handed it over shame-faced
  • jutted his chin: confident, anger, forceful
  • managed a deadpan expression:  expressionless
  • muscles in her face tightened:  unsmiling, concealing emotions, anger, worried
  • rested his chin in his palm and looked thoughtful
  • rubbed a hand over his dark stubble:  thoughtful, ashamed of his appearance
  • screwed up her face:  anger, smiling, ready to cry, could almost be any emotion
  • sneered and flicked lint off his suit: conceit, derision, scorn

Arm and Hand

  • a vicious yank
  • arm curled around her waist, tugging her next to him:  possessive, pride, protective
  • bit her lip and glanced away:  shy, ashamed, insecure
  • brandished his fist:  anger, threatening, ready to fight, confident, show of pride
  • clamped his fingers into tender flesh:  anger, protective, wants to inflict pain
  • clenched his dirty little fists: stubborn, angry
  • clapped her hands on her hips, arms crooked like sugar bowel handles:  anger, demanding, disbelief
  • constantly twirled her hair and tucked it behind her ear:  attracted to the opposite sex, shy crossed his arms over his chest: waiting, impatient, putting a barrier
  • crushed the paper in his fist:  anger, surrender, discard
  • dived into the food: hunger, eager, greedy
  • doffed his hat:  polite gesture, mocking, teasing
  • doodled on the phone pad and tapped the air with her foot:  bored, inattention, introspection
  • drummed her fingers on the desk:  impatient, frustrated, bored
  • fanned her heated face with her hands: physically hot, embarrassed, indicating attraction
  • fiddled with his keys: nervous, bored
  • firm, palm to palm hand shake:  confident, honest
  • flipped him the bird: sarcastic discard
  • forked his fingers through his hair for the third time:  disquiet/consternation, worry, thoughtful
  • handed it over shame-faced:  guilt, shame
  • held his crotch and danced a frantic jig:  physical need to relieve himself
  • limp hand shake:  lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm
  • propped his elbow on his knee: relaxed, thoughtful
  • punched her pillow:  restless, can’t sleep, angry
  • rested his chin in his palm:  thoughful, worried
  • scratched his hairy belly and yawned:  indolent, bored, lazy, relaxed, just waking
  • shoulders lifted in a shrug:  doubtful, careless discard
  • slapped his face in front of God and country:  enraged, affronted/insulted
  • snapped a sharp salute:  respect, sarcastic gesture meaning the opposite of respect
  • snapped his fingers, expecting service:  arrogant, lack of respect, self-centered
  • sneered and flicked lint off his suit
  • spread her arms wide: welcoming,  joy, love
  • stabbed at the food: anger, hunger, determined
  • stood straighter and smoothed his tie:  sudden interest, possible sexual interest
  • stuffed his hands in his pockets: self-conscious, throwing up a barrier
  • sweaty handshake:  nervous, fearful
  • touched his arm several times while explaining:  sign of attraction, flattery, possessive
  • wide sweep of his arms:  welcoming, all inclusive gesture, horror

Sitting or Rising

  • collapsed in a stupor:  exhausted, drunk, drugged, disbelief
  • enthroned himself at the desk:  conceit, pronouncing or taking ownership
  • exploded out of the chair:  shock, eager, anger, supreme joy
  • roosted on the porch rail like a cock on a hen house roof:  claiming ownership, conceit, content
  • sat, squaring an ankle over one knee:  relaxed and open
  • slouched/wilted in a chair and paid languid attention to:  drowsy, lazy, depressed, disinterest, sad, totally relaxed, disrespectful
  • squirmed in his chair: ill at ease, nervous, needs the bathroom

Recline

  • flung himself into the bed: sad, depressed, exhausted, happy
  • prostrated himself: surrender, desperate, miserable, powerless, obsequious, fawning, flattering
  • punched her pillow:  can’t sleep, anger, frustrated
  • threw himself on the floor kicking and screaming: tantrum

Entire body and General

  • body stiffened at the remark:  offended, anger, alerted
  • body swayed to music:  dreamy, fond memories, enjoys the music
  • bounced in the car seat, pointing:  excitement, fear, eager
  • cowered behind his brother:  fear, shyness, coward, desperate
  • curled into a ball:  sorrow, fear, sleepy, defensive
  • heart galloping:  anxiety, joy, eager
  • held his crotch and danced a frantic jig
  • humped over his cane, each step shaking and careful: pain, aged
  • inhaled a deep breath and blew out slowly: buying time to find words/thoughtful, reconciled
  • quick and jerky like rusty cogs on a wheel:  unsure of actions, self-conscious, tense, edgy
  • rocked back and forth on his heels:  impatient, cocky, gleeful
  • manhandled the woman into a corner:  bully, anger
  • slumped shoulders: defeat, depressed, sad, surrender
  • stiff-backed:  priggish, haughty, affronted
  • stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sexual interest, wants to make an impression
  • stooped and bent: aged, arthritic, in pain
  • stretched extravagantly and yawned:  tired, bored, unconcerned
  • sweating uncontrollably: nervous, fear, guilt
  • tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing
  • was panting now at:  afraid, exhausted, out of breath, sexual excitement

-Sharla Rae

Words to replace said, except this actually helps

imagines–assemble:

msocasey:

I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.

IN RESPONSE TO
Acknowledged
Answered
Protested

INPUT/JOIN CONVERSATION/ASK
Added
Implored
Inquired
Insisted
Proposed
Queried
Questioned
Recommended
Testified

GUILTY/RELUCTANCE/SORRY
Admitted
Apologized
Conceded
Confessed
Professed

FOR SOMEONE ELSE
Advised
Criticized
Suggested

JUST CHECKING
Affirmed
Agreed
Alleged
Confirmed

LOUD
Announced
Chanted
Crowed

LEWD/CUTE/SECRET SPY FEEL
Appealed
Disclosed
Moaned

ANGRY FUCK OFF MATE WANNA FIGHT
Argued
Barked
Challenged
Cursed
Fumed
Growled
Hissed
Roared
Swore

SMARTASS
Articulated
Asserted
Assured
Avowed
Claimed
Commanded
Cross-examined
Demanded
Digressed
Directed
Foretold
Instructed
Interrupted
Predicted
Proclaimed
Quoted
Theorized

ASSHOLE
Bellowed
Boasted
Bragged

NERVOUS TRAINWRECK
Babbled
Bawled
Mumbled
Sputtered
Stammered
Stuttered

SUAVE MOTHERFUCKER
Bargained
Divulged
Disclosed
Exhorted

FIRST OFF
Began

LASTLY
Concluded
Concurred

WEAK PUSY
Begged
Blurted
Complained
Cried
Faltered
Fretted

HAPPY/LOL
Cajoled
Exclaimed
Gushed
Jested
Joked
Laughed

WEIRDLY HAPPY/EXCITED
Extolled
Jabbered
Raved

BRUH, CHILL
Cautioned
Warned

ACTUALLY, YOU’RE WRONG
Chided
Contended
Corrected
Countered
Debated
Elaborated
Objected
Ranted
Retorted

CHILL SAVAGE
Commented
Continued
Observed
Surmised

LISTEN BUDDY
Enunciated
Explained
Elaborated
Hinted
Implied
Lectured
Reiterated
Recited
Reminded
Stressed

BRUH I NEED U AND U NEED ME
Confided
Offered
Urged

FINE
Consented
Decided

TOO EMO FULL OF EMOTIONS
Croaked
Lamented
Pledged
Sobbed
Sympathized
Wailed
Whimpered

JUST SAYING
Declared
Decreed
Mentioned
Noted
Pointed out
Postulated
Speculated
Stated
Told
Vouched

WASN’T ME
Denied
Lied

EVIL SMARTASS
Dictated
Equivocated
Ordered
Reprimanded
Threatened

BORED
Droned
Sighed

SHHHH IT’S QUIET TIME
Echoed
Mumbled
Murmured
Muttered
Uttered
Whispered

DRAMA QUEEN
Exaggerated
Panted
Pleaded
Prayed
Preached

OH SHIT
Gasped
Marveled
Screamed
Screeched
Shouted
Shrieked
Yelped
Yelled

ANNOYED
Grumbled
Grunted
Jeered
Quipped
Scolded
Snapped
Snarled
Sneered

ANNOYING
Nagged

I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT WHATEVER
Guessed
Ventured

I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM
Hooted
Howled
Yowled

I WONDER
Pondered
Voiced
Wondered

OH, YEAH, WHOOPS
Recalled
Recited
Remembered

SURPRISE BITCH
Revealed

IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD
Scoffed
Snickered
Snorted

BITCHY
Tattled
Taunted
Teased

reblog to save a writer 

nixde:

I’ve been kind of considering uploading my own action for awhile now, but always figured it wasn’t really worth it. However I’ve gotten a few asks lately asking how I edit, so I thought I’d put up an all-in-one
action that I pretty much use on most of my pictures.

This comes with two actions that I’ve made for vertical and horizontal pictures. It brightens, utilizes topaz, smooths the overall photo with the oil painting feature, resizes the image, and increases canvas size.
These changes are very slight, and should be used on photos that
already have a medium to high amount of lighting in them. If you’re
looking for a major change, these actions probably aren’t for you
, but I
appreciate the default  game’s colors and lighting, so this is what I
use.

Things to know:

  • I made these with (at
    least) a 1920 x 1080 resolution in mind. If your monitor is smaller,
    you may have to backtrack a few steps in the history. I have put the
    resizing and canvas size at the very end of the process, so it only
    requires a few clicks.

  • I almost always erase the oilify from the eyes and any other feature of my character’s face that I want to stand out.

  • This doesn’t sharpen for you. I sharpen manually in select places.

  • I use Photoshop CS6. This may not work as well for you with any other version.

Credit:

Special thanks to chisimi and rinniesims for lending their pictures to me. :3

DOWNLOAD!

I hope you enjoy my actions and that they behave in your programs like they do mine!

narusasu-simblr:

image

So I recently got an ask about a tutorial I linked to a really long time ago which sort of talks about this but seems to not exist anymore so I decided to make one for you guys. In order to follow this tutorial, your cc must be in package format NOT sims3pack.

Note: The title for this is a bit misleading. This tutorial only works for things like makeup, face paint and contacts. Don’t try doing this with clothes unless you want to have some scary looking kids!

This tutorial can be used for other age groups and genders as well just follow the same steps for those ages/genders.

Note 2: You can use this tutorial to enable toddler male clothing to toddler female clothing or child male clothing to child female clothing/visa versa. This gender conversion only works with toddlers, children and babies because they share the same body mesh. Don’t do this gender conversion with other ages!

image

Anyway, open the custom content you want to enable for toddlers, or whatever other age group in S3pe. Here I’m using some makeup face markings as an example. After opening the file, click on the line with the tag “CASP”.

image

Towards the bottom of S3pe you should see a toolbar that looks something like this. Click on the button that says “Grid”.

image

After clicking the grid button a little box called “Data Grid” will pop up. Here is where we will make our changes.

image

Under the Data Type tab there is a tab called “AgeGender”. As you can see this tab contains a few different options under it. Here we can change the age options under age, the species (aka human, alien, vampire, dog etc.), Gender, and handedness…(whatever that is). For the sake of this tutorial I will only be changing the age group but the same steps go for any category here.

So under AgeGender I’m going to open up the “Age” dropdown.

image

Here we can see all the ages from baby to Elder. Next to them we have the words either true or false which indicate if the makeup is enabled or not for that age group. “True” obviously means that the item is enabled for that age group and “false” means that it isn’t.

This makeup was already enabled for toddlers but for the sake of the tutorial let us say that it was not. So like the baby age group, it would say false next to the toddler age group. Simply click on the area that contains the word false and a drop down menu will appear giving you either the true or false option. Since we are trying to enable it for this age group we will click “true”. 

image

After making our changes look for a button called “commit” at the bottom of this window. This will save the changes we have just made and close the popup window.

image

Now that we made the changes all we have to do is save the new package. So under file you can press “save” to overwrite the old package file. Now you’re done! You can close the program and go enjoy your toddler enabled makeup!

kosmokhaos:

kalethegrey:

basicpixels:

How to Make Custom Rigs Video Tutorial

Everything you’ll need is listed in Video’s description ^^
Also  I’m not a native speaker so please forgive me if you don’t understand anything ;-; Feel free to ask od DM me on Tumblr if you have any issues ♥

Thank you @kalethegrey and @itsoceansecret for testing if it’s understandable ^^

Excuse my bby voice

Very Useful info ❤ Thanks for the tutorial ❤

v v useful!!!!

using gesture

holtzrps:

symbi0:

we’ve all read that prompt where someone is smirking, cocking an eyebrow and tossing their hair every other word. it’s annoying and it’s overused, not because they’re moving too much, but because nobody actually does that. rather than making your character repeat the same three actions on loop, spice things up! here are some helpful starting points

anger: 

  • curling and uncurling fists
  • sharp exhales
  • rolling eyes
  • cracking neck 
  • setting jaw
  • grinding teeth 
  • pursing lips

boredom/impatience: 

  • scratching neck/back
  • tapping or drumming fingers on something
  • tapping foot
  • changing position repeatedly, as if to get comfortable
  • leaning back 
  • kicking feet or putting them up
  • looking around 

nerves: 

  • looking around but, like, different
  • hands in pockets
  • fidgeting with an object
  • biting lip, inside of cheek, or nails 
  • tapping or drumming fingers on something

if this is helpful, i can expand the list, but i don’t see people struggling with physical displays of positive emotions as much as i do negative ones