Powerful Writing: Use Body Language for Your Entire Novel
Underdeveloped characters are labeled “flat” or “cardboard” because they don’t engage our emotions
The characters are the most important elements in creating a compelling and immersive story. They are the driving force behind any good book or story and must be brought to life to engage the reader.
How often are you aware of your body language when communicating with others? Whether you’re aware or not, you invariably send signals, even if you are unconscious of them.
By understanding our own and other people’s body language signals, we can improve our understanding of our daily communication and are better equipped to write a better novel or story.
Understand the Power of Body Language
While descriptions of a character’s physical appearance and traits can help the reader “see” the character, body language is crucial in developing a three-dimensional being with personality, motivations, and emotions — with unique mannerisms, quirks, and gestures that reflect individuality.
By understanding body language’s impact on your readers, you can create vivid scenes and help bring your characters to life. Posture, movements, facial expressions — all these details reveal much more than just words on the page. It can paint a picture of the character’s feelings, develop their personality, and get the reader interested in their story.
For example, if your character feels anxious, it manifests in a tight grip on things or restlessness. Or a nervous character might fidget with their hands or bite their nails, while a confident character will stand tall and make direct eye contact. Their movements are bolder and more assertive if they feel confident. These details will go beyond basic dialog and help draw your readers in.
By keeping these things in mind while writing, you can ensure that your words translate into an emotionally engaging and charged narrative. Think of body language as an extra layer of expression that will make it easier for readers to place themselves into the story and start bonding with the characters.
Non-verbal cues on what a person is thinking or feeling
One example of a character brought to life through body language is Lisbeth Salander in Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Lisbeth’s body language defines her character, reflecting her troubled past and intense personality. She often avoids eye contact and has a habit of tapping her fingers, which gives the impression that she is uncomfortable in social situations. Her body language also reveals her fierce determination and strength, such as standing tall and making direct eye contact during a confrontation.
In the following sentences, you will notice how I enter my protagonist’s mind as she observes the two men interviewing her.
“Both detectives look at me. Messages are often hidden in the silence or how a person is sitting, in the erectness of the body, or the intense look. Do they want more from me? What do they know and choose not to disclose?”
Here is another example. The following will give you a complete picture of how the protagonist’s body reacts to what’s in front of her.
“He’s wearing a loose-fitting robe that rings a small frame; body hunched forward, shoulders rounded, face downcast. His helplessness crowds the room, inching toward me until breathing becomes difficult. Where is the hulking man I knew back in Afghanistan?”
Another example is Katniss Everdeen in Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games” trilogy. Katniss is a character-driven by her emotions; her body language reflects this. She often tucks her chin in when she feels vulnerable or clenches her fists when angry. Her body language also reveals her survival instincts, such as when she tenses up and looks around for threats in dangerous situations.
In conclusion
Employing body language is only one element of world-building — engaging all the senses is another element that helps create a three-dimensional character that feels real and relatable to the reader. A character’s body language can reveal their personality, motivations, and emotions, while sensory details can immerse the reader in the story world. These building blocks are crucial in creating memorable and impactful characters that readers will remember long after finishing the book.
In my next article, I will delve deeply into the many elements that combine to create a believable world in your writing.
Meanwhile, happy writing!