 Action/Adventure: July 16, 2025 Issue [#13247] |
This week: Writing Body Language Edited by: Kit  
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Writing body language is not easy, but what your characters do speaks just as loudly as what they say.
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter, then, is all about the spoken and the unspoken.
Kit |
In the world of storytelling, showing rather than telling is a key mantra. When it comes to bringing our characters to life, body language is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal. Whether it's a slight shift in posture, a subtle hand gesture, or the way someone avoids eye contact, the way characters physically express themselves can reveal more about their emotions, motivations, and even their pasts than any dialogue ever could.
In this week’s newsletter, I’ll dive into the art of using body language effectively in your fiction – something I am not actually that great yet at myself. I’ve been searching for tips on how to improve my own writing, and figured I’d share some with you in case you want to refine your skills as well.
1. Body Language Speaks Louder Than Words
In real life, people often communicate more with their bodies than with their mouths. From the way a character stands to the way they hold a cup, these subtle physical actions offer valuable insight into their inner world. Readers can pick up on emotions and intentions without the need for clunky exposition.
Instead of writing, "Maria was nervous," show it with: "Maria’s hand trembled as she reached for the door handle".
By using body language, you allow your readers to interpret the character's emotional state through action rather than directly spelling it out.
2. Use Body Language to Reflect Emotions
Characters' emotions are complex, and body language can help you express these layers. A character’s posture, movement, and even the way they breathe can convey anxiety, happiness, discomfort, and many other emotions.
For example:
 Fear: Shallow breathing, hunched shoulders, fidgeting, avoiding eye contact.
Confidence: Standing tall, walking with purpose, steady gaze, controlled movements.
Sadness: Slumped shoulders, slow movements, sighs, downcast eyes.
Anger: Clenched fists, pacing, tense jaw, glaring eyes.
Instead of telling us, "Ben was angry," describe it: "Ben's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tight enough to crack bone. He glared at the floor, his breathing sharp and shallow."
Of course, not everyone expresses their emotions in the same way. Body language is not an exact science. I’m autistic and may avoid eye contact because of that, not because I am fearful, or hiding something. As writers, though, it’s probably best to use generally understood signs of how someone is feeling, unless we specify why a character reacts the way that they do.
3. Character Consistency
Just as characters have unique speech patterns or tones, their body language should be consistent with their personalities and backgrounds. A shy, introverted character may have closed-off, defensive body language, while a charismatic leader will use open, expansive gestures to command attention.
It’s important to consider:
Cultural factors: In some cultures, eye contact is a sign of respect, while in others, it can be seen as a challenge.
Physical limitations: If your character has a disability, this will impact how they move and hold themselves. A character who’s recovering from an injury may limp, or a person with a chronic condition may have a rigid posture.
Personal habits: A nervous character might tap their foot, while a confident character may have steady, deliberate movements.
A person who's been raised in a strict household might carry themselves with rigid posture, keeping their hands to themselves and avoiding expressive gestures.
4. Body Language as Foreshadowing
Sometimes, a character’s physical actions can be a subtle clue to future events. A character who avoids looking at someone might be hiding something, or a sudden change in their body language could signal an emotional shift or an upcoming decision. Early in the story, a character might shift uncomfortably whenever a certain topic is brought up, foreshadowing a secret they will later reveal.
5. Physicality in Dialogue
When characters speak, their bodies are often at odds with — or reinforce — their words. This is where you can really add nuance. A character might say one thing but their body language tells a different story. This adds layers of complexity to their interactions and keeps readers engaged.
Dialogue: "I’m fine."
Body language: "She forced a smile, but her fingers were curled tightly around her cup."
The disconnect between what’s said and what’s shown creates that little added tension.
6. Subtlety Over Exaggeration
The most effective body language is often subtle. Over-explaining every gesture can make it feel forced. Instead of pointing out every minor shift, choose the moments that are significant to your character or the plot. Let the body language speak for itself. Rather than describing every hand movement, focus on one powerful gesture that reveals something essential about the character’s state of mind.
7. Incorporating Environment and Context
The environment a character is in can influence their body language. A character in a dark alley might be tense and cautious, while one at a family dinner might be more relaxed or self-conscious. Consider the context around your characters: this will inform how they move, stand, or interact with others.
In a tense courtroom scene, for example, characters might stand straighter, and their gestures might be more controlled, reflecting the formal and high-stakes environment.
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Dialogue and body language are like a dance — when used together, they complement each other to convey a richer, more textured experience for the reader. The beauty of body language is that it can tell a story without saying a word.
Which is where I struggle, but using body language in a story is a lot better than simply using dialogue with a ‘he said’ or a ‘she said’ attached to it. It draws the reader into the story and makes your characters feel more real and relatable. What your characters do speaks just as loudly as what they say.
Happy writing!
Kit
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The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team
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