It’s said a picture is worth a thousand words. The same goes for body language in writing for children and other fiction writing.
Body language conveys non-verbal messages and is a crucial aspect of communication, often conveying more than words alone can express.
Integrating body language descriptions into your storytelling can add depth to characters, create vivid imagery, and help young readers connect emotionally with the narrative.
Here are some tips on how to effectively use body language in children's writing.
Why Body Language Matters
Body language includes facial expressions, gestures, posture, and other nonverbal cues that play a vital role in communication. It often reveals emotions and intentions more accurately than spoken words or, in the case of writing, dialogue.
This writing technique can make stories more relatable and engaging for children who are still developing their understanding of complex language.
By describing characters' physical reactions and movements, writers can:
1. Show, Don't Tell: Instead of telling readers that a character is scared, show how their emotion affects them physically. Describing their weak knees, trembling hands, or slit-wide eyes can paint a more vivid picture.
2. Build Empathy: Readers can better understand and empathize with characters when they see how they physically respond to situations.
3. Enhance Imagination: Detailed descriptions of body language help children visualize scenes and characters more clearly, fostering their imagination.
So, how do you incorporate body language into your storytelling?
TECHNIQUES FOR DESCRIBING BODY LANGUAGE
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS:
Eyes: Describe changes in eye movement or appearance to convey emotions.
Examples:
"Her brows shot up, and eyes widened" shows anticipation.
"He avoided her gaze, looking at the ground" indicates guilt, shyness, or possibly even fear.
Mouth: Expressions like smiling, frowning, or pursing lips can convey a range of emotions.
Examples:
"She broke into a broad smile" depicts happiness.
"His lips tightened, forming a thin line" suggests anger or disapproval.
GESTURES:
Hands: Movements of the hands can express nervousness, confidence, excitement, or impatience.
Examples:
"He fidgeted with his shirt buttons" shows anxiety.
"She waved enthusiastically" indicates friendliness or excitement.
In my children’s chapter book, “Walking Through Walls”, the protagonist throws his hands on his head when he’s flabbergasted.
Arms: Crossed arms can indicate defensiveness or discomfort, while open arms can show openness and warmth.
Example: "Her arms flew open wide” suggests she is welcoming, excited, or ready to embrace.
POSTURE:
Body Position: Slumped shoulders can signify sadness or defeat, while a straight back can indicate confidence and attentiveness.
"He stood tall with shoulders back" portrays confidence.
"She hunched over her desk" might suggest tiredness or despair.
Movement: The way a character moves can also tell a story.
Examples:
"He shuffled slowly, dragging his feet" suggests reluctance or tiredness. "She raced to him: can convey eagerness, urgency, or fear.
VOICE:
Tone (pitch, volume): Describing the volume of your character’s voice can help show what the character is feeling.
Example:
“His voice grew louder and louder” can indicate the character is getting angrier or panicking.
Pacing (speed, rhythm, pauses): Describing how the character talks is another indication of how the character feels.
Example:
“Her words ran into each other” can indicate panic or excitement.
INTEGRATING BODY LANGUAGE INTO THE STORY
Contextual Clues: Integrate body language seamlessly into the narrative by using it to complement dialogue and actions.
For example, instead of saying, "He was nervous," write, "He glanced around the room, his fingers tapping a rapid rhythm on the table."
Balancing Description: Avoid overloading the text with too many descriptions at once. Focus on key moments that highlight important emotions or actions.
For instance, in a tense situation, a simple description like "Her hands trembled as she reached for the doorknob" can be more impactful than a lengthy paragraph.
Or “his fingers tightened into a fist” can indicate anger.
Character Consistency: Ensure that body language descriptions are consistent with a character's personality and development. A shy character might frequently avoid eye contact, while a confident character might use bold gestures.
Note: While a lot of the body language descriptions can convey multiple emotions, the surrounding text will clarify it.
EXAMPLES IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Classic Stories: In "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White, body language is used effectively conveys the emotions of the animals and children. When Wilbur is scared, his shaking and shrinking back are described vividly.
Modern Tales: In the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling, Harry's nervousness is often shown through his fidgeting and avoiding eye contact.
WHAT TO AVOID
Remembering to watch for physical cliches and overused body language descriptions is important.
Example: “She wiped her eyes” to convey sadness is used so often that while it isn’t exactly telling, it is a close cousin.
Other words or phrases that are cousins to telling:
-taps foot
-glares
-heart pounds
-eyes darting
-pit in stomach
-twinkling eyes
The list can go on and on. And a number of the body language descriptions mentioned in the examples above are overused.
So, what’s a writer to do?
Use interiority instead. Interiority refers to the internal thoughts of the point of view character. When you can’t come up with an original or less-used body language description, let the character think it.
Example: Her hand reached for the door, then hesitated. Maybe I shouldn’t. What if it’s still in there?
Tips on using Internal Thoughts.
SUMMING IT UP
Body language is a powerful tool in children’s writing. It enriches the storytelling experience, making characters more relatable and the narrative more immersive.
By paying attention to facial expressions, gestures, posture, and voice, writers can convey complex emotions and actions in a way that young readers can easily understand and visualize.
This technique enhances the descriptive quality of the writing and helps foster a deeper connection between the readers and the characters.
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
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