#character behavior

Everyone writes “they looked tired.” But let's look closer.

Here are some quick ways to show a character is neglecting themselves (without saying "they were neglecting themselves"):

• They drink coffee instead of eating again

• They never ask for help

• They keep wearing the same jacket even when it’s too warm

• Their phone battery is always at 3%

• Spending a long time away from others

• They say “I’ll eat later” three times in the same day

• Withdrawing quietly when stressed rather than seeking help

• Their place runs out of small things (soap, clean cups, toothpaste)

• Always late or overdue on bills

• They sleep in strange places because the bed is buried under things

• Using alcohol or substances to cope

• Overworking or staying constantly busy to avoid thinking about personal needs

• They stop replacing things that break

• Being highly critical of themselves while being extremely compassionate toward others

• They forget what day it is, but remember every obligation

• Lack of concern about their own wellbeing (acting reckless/stupid)

• They open the fridge, stare, and close it again

• Their laundry slowly becomes “the chair”

• Saying "I'm fine" to everything.

• Being the “listener” or emotional support for everyone else, but rarely opening up themselves

• Someone asks if they’ve eaten and they have to actually think about it

Those are some quick tips. Reblog if you want more. Idk if people like these. <3

♦ DEFENSIVENESS.

arms crossed on chest / crossing legs / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / karate chops / stiffening of shoulders / tense posture / curling of lip / baring of teeth

♦ REFLECTIVE.

hand-to-face gestures / head tilted /  stroking chin / peering over glasses / taking glasses off — cleaning /  putting earpiece of glasses in mouth / pipe smoker gestures / putting hand to bridge of nose / pursed lips / knitted brows

♦ SUSPICION.

arms crossed / sideways glance / touching or rubbing nose / rubbing eyes / hands resting on weapon / brows raising / lips pressing into a thin line / strict, unwavering eye contact / wrinkling of nose / narrowed eyes

♦ CONFIDENCE.

hands behind back / hands on lapels of coat / steepled hands / baring teeth in a grin / rolling shoulders / tipping head back but maintaining eye contact / chest puffed up / shoulders back / arms folded just above navel / wide eyes / standing akimbo

♦ INSECURITY & ANXIETY.

chewing pen or pencil / rubbing thumb over opposite thumb / biting fingernails / biting lips / hands in pockets / elbow bent / closed gestures / clearing throat / “whew” sound / picking or pinching flesh / fidgeting in chair / hand covering mouth whilst speaking / poor eye contact / tugging at pants whilst seated / jingling money in pockets / tugging at ear / perspiring hands / playing with hair / swaying / playing with pointer/marker/cane / smacking lips / sighing / rocking on balls of feet / flexing or cracking fingers sporadically

♦ ANGER & FRUSTRATION.

short breaths / “tsk” sounds / tightly-clenched hands / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / running hand through hair / rubbing back of neck / snarling / revealing teeth / grimacing / sharp-eye glowers / notable tension in brow / shoulders back, head up – defensive posturing / clenching of jaw / grinding teeth / nostrils flaring / heavy exhales

tagged by: @tximidity​

Everyone writes shaking hands and racing hearts. Those are fine. But fear often shows up in unexpected ways.

Here are some quick writing tips for writing a terrified character (without saying "they were terrified").

• They suddenly become very polite (fawn response)

• They start explaining things no one asked about (changing subject)

• They laugh once when no one else does.

• They keep glancing at the door like they’re measuring the distance

• They agree too quickly

• They hold perfectly still like they don't want to draw attention

• They start noticing extremely small details in the room

• They talk slower than usual, choosing every word carefully

• They disassociate and become unresponsive

• They try to sound reasonable when no one else is being reasonable

• They swallow before every sentence

• They weigh every consequence before speaking

• They keep their hands where everyone can see them (hands in their pockets)

• They cross their arms and/or avoid eye contact

• They frequently make eye contact with a familiar person

• They thank someone who clearly doesn’t deserve it

Those are some quick tips. Reblog if you want more. Idk if people like these. <3

Everyone writes: “They avoided eye contact.”

Let's do something a little different.

Here are some quick ways to show a character is lying (without saying "lie"):

• Answering the wrong part of the question

• Giving way more detail than anyone asked for

• Acting offended instead of answering

• Correcting a tiny, irrelevant detail in the conversation

• Asking you a question immediately after being asked one (deflection)

• Pausing just long enough that the response feels orchestrated

• Overexplaining something simple

• Texting an answer then deleting it

• Saying “to be honest” or “if I’m being honest”

• Avoiding eye contact (or making eye contact with someone else)

• Laughing like the conversation is suddenly very funny

• Getting oddly specific about the timing of things

• Or their story leaves out details

• Abruptly changing the subject (or quietly steering it away)

Those are some quick tips. Reblog if you want more. Idk if people like these. <3

Anyways, good lies aren't super dramatic revelations. Sometimes they sound normal, just normal enough that the reader feels something is... 'off', but they can't prove it.

Leave a breadcrumb or two of doubt. They might just connect the dots!