Gestures, Expressions, and Movement Beats by Category

From Allen Johnson: I have been reading best sellers (Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Dean Koontz) and, all the while, keeping an eye on dialogue and motion/gesture beats. I’ve organized them into categories (e.g., anger, anguish, nervousness, joy, walking, sitting, etc.). My purpose has not been to plagiarize but to give myself some ideas for creating my own beats. I thought the list (now 16 pages) might be helpful for other writers in Wordherders.

Anger/Annoyance

Anger had deafened him to what she was saying
Tapped down the anger
sent Mason a sharp look in case he said different
fisted his/her hands
he was goading him
Simmer down.
Thought he could her teeth grinding all the way across the room, which was oddly satisfying.
Despite the hot ball in his belly
She showed Leo her teeth. squared her shoulders.
Her mouth thinned as she heard the hot slap of his words in her head.
inclined her head.
Through his teeth, he hissed, “Son of a bitch.”
His chest rose and fell with emotion
He made an angry swipe through the air with his fist.
Throttled his temper/anger
He threw off her grasp
His motions abrupt, he gave the heavy doorknob a vicious turn, yanked the door open, and strode out.
Mine: looked like he could kill and eat somebody, not necessarily in that order.
Rankled her
Re-faced with fury. His teeth were clenched.
Practically having to unclench his teeth to get the words out
A fever of excitement in his brain: agitation, fermentation, effervescence
She would turn to stone before she asked where he’d been
His jaw sets at this, and he looks away.
His blood started humming in his head
A scowl moved over her face
She gritted her teeth against the curse that sprang to her tongue/mind
Ears started to ring
His blood seemed to have come to a boil

Anguish/Misery/Sadness

Nursed no delusions about himself
Something was rising up in his throat that felt like equal parts panic and hope.
That terrible plea in her mother’s *voice, that awful rawness, like a cut that wouldn’t heal.
Emotions, too many, too mixed, too huge, slammed through her. They choked her throat, twisted her belly, stabbed her heart.
staring into space, sadness weighing down his facial features
Her concussed brain dragged her toward oblivion
The space between her shoulder blades burned with tension
Her throat grew so thick she could barely speak
Sight of her caused a pinching pain in his heart
This was tearing him apart, but he had to be the grown-up, the brave one
He felt her chest hitch with a small hiccup that presaged tears
Squeezed his eyes shut to keep his own tears inside
Low keening: sound of grief
Too moved to speak
“Oh,” she said with such compassion, he felt his eyes burn and tear
Stress and grief made an uneasy marriage in her stomach
Grief rushed over her face
Upon seeing his father, his heart lurched
He had to talk around the lump that formed in his throat
Channeling from the land of the undead/dead
Gave a half laugh, half sob
Tear-blurred eyes
Shaking off the melancholy
Made a remorseful sound
Guilt balled in her belly

Animals

The dog *bellied toward her.
He laid his head, all floppy eared and dirty, on her leg, didn’t whimper so much as moan.
when she broke down to pet him, the dog turned his head, nuzzled her hand.

Awareness

It occurred to him in a moment of blinding, terrifying clarity
Caught between amusement and puzzlement
Nodded because she could see it, see how it might have been

Breath/Sigh

Hissed out a tired breath
She didn’t take a clear, easy breath until they were outside again.
He snuffled with disgust
Heaved a sigh of confession
Heaved an audible breath
Waved his hand until he’d caught his breath
Heaved a resounding breath
Blew out and annoyed breath

Censor/ Self-censor

His expression/emotions/thoughts/rage shuttered

Cry

Dabbed her eyes
Eyes watered up
Choking up entirely, she paused to swallow several times, taking hard gulps of air

Conflict

he and Joe squared off

Dialogue/Speaking/Listening

he interrupted her by moving suddenly to bring them fact-to-face
He tilted his head as though he doubted that
The kept the observation to herself
said a terse good night
“Every-damn-body.”
“You—” He stopped to amend what he’d been about to say.
“don’t bother,” he said when he saw she was about to counter.
She looked away from him and, for a time, said nothing.
feeling rather like a heel for having said that
cocked his head as though to better hear the part that Neal had left dangling.
She broke off [what she was saying] as he was already hunkered down,
She laughed, and spoke absolute truth.
Purged himself of the details
Said without infliction
Snorted her disdain
Snuffled over the man’s stilted apology
“trying to be honest,” he added when she frowned/laughed at him
She hurled the words at him, along with a fear-tinted rage.
He let the last word hang a moment
On a burst of inspiration, she said,
The cool, flat way he said it brought on another shudder
She clung to every word as Neal described the situation.
Her throat grew so thick she could barely speak
By the time he got to the last word, his voice was practically a screech.
“Where are you going?” Over his shoulder, he said, “To lunch.”
“Will I see you later?” It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what would be the point. Instead, she smiled up at him.
“Jesus,” he said under his breath
Made a mournful sound.
Huskily she replied
Said with palpable disgust
spoke in a low rumble that was rich with carnal implications
lowered her voice and spoke with a profound seriousness that mesmerized
Clammed up and shook his head
Declined to comment
He didn’t have a response for that
He just looked at him
They declined in unison
Left the men suspended in a taut silence
Seeing the reproach in her expression, he said sourly,
He rushed to say,
. . . he said, trying not to sound too droll
“Doesn’t matter.” His flippancy only underscored that it did matter—a lot. She probably picked up on that.
She said it with a teasing lilt, but he remained unsmiling
Spat out an obscenity
He was probably lying about that, but Crawford let it pass. He didn’t pursue that illogical train of thought.
Made up some mumbo jumbo
With false bravado, he said
Disregarding her question, he said
Made a promise he never intended to keep
She waiting, then probed him for a response
Was too excited for the double entendre to register
Never sensing the avalanche he’d incited.
Muttered a few choice epithets
Her throat grew so thick she could barely speak
His statement left Neal no choice except to elaborate, although he did so grudgingly.
Stiff-lipped with resignation, he said,
Came back angrily
Gave a skeptical grunt
He let that settle, and when he didn’t respond, he said,
He pressed on
Let his raise eyebrows (shrug/half smile/grimace) speak for him
Speaking in an undertone
It wasn’t poetry, but it was profound.
Was determined not to let the conversation spin out of control
His complacency was almost more than Crawford could stand, but he forced himself to keep still and maintain a conversational tone.
“Anything else?” he asked tightly.
Figured his silence was enough.
Speaking to her directly as if she were the only person in the room
Hummed his eagerness to learn what he had in mand
Made a rolling motion with his hand as though to say, Let’s hear it.
Replied with a terse thanks
Sinister quality of his smooth tone cause her to open her eyes
could tell by the implacability of his eyes that her arguments hadn’t made a dent.
She thought about that, then said,
She sat up slowly, ears tuned
Paused just long enough to make sure that sank in
In stops and starts, her speech so rapid that words stumbled over themselves
“No effing way.”
On a sharp look from him, he rushed on.
Practically having to unclench his teeth to get the words out

Drop a few words: “Got run over by a car” instead of “Yes, run over by a car.” Cut the fat.
Dialogue: curve the line: Original: “Something’s going on here, because every Jewish guy I see is making a play for me.” After: “Something’s going on here, because every able-bodied Israelite in the county is goin’ pretty strong to the hoop.”
Spice up dialogue: “I’m no snitch.” “Smitty, if the price was right, you’d sell your mother as a sex slave to a gang of vandals.” “Already did,” he called to Crawford as he went out. “They brought the sorry bitch back.”
Stung by her incredulous tone, he took a defensive stance
The statement snapped him back into the present
Parted her lips to speak, but nothing came out
Brought her up short
When she expressed concern for him, he hedged, mumbling that he was fine.
He had to talk around the lump that formed in his throat
Dialogue: Avoid responding directly to the line before like an echo.
What are your characters feeling while exchanging dialogue? Try expressing it with the sound of silence.
He deadpanned
“Well,” was all he said.
He muttered something she couldn’t decipher, but his tone was disdainful
I’m not going to get all”—she circled her index fingers in the air—“and say
“I’m not sure what—” “What that means is,” he said, cutting her off,

Direction

Pointing/nudging/hitching his chin in the detective’s direction

Dressing/Undressing

Pealed out of her blouse so fast it might have been air.
without even bothering to unbutton his shirt, pulled it off over his head.
Shrugged off a coat
The coat swallowed her

Embarrassed

Even in the dark she could see he flushed a little

Eyes/Gaze/See

Stare could have blistered paint
Looked aside, curing under his breath
ran steady hazel eyes over the space.
Shifted in his seat, looked away, came back to her.
She waited until he glanced over
Something—a slyness—came and went in his eyes
Blinked trickles of sweat from his eyes
How shadowed her eyes
He squeezes his eyes closed to think then opens them again, noe the wiser
slid his gaze toward the hallway that led to the bedroom,
Limpid eyes: undarkened, clear, unclouded
Glowering with more malevolence than usual
Feverish light in his eyes
Opalescent: showing varying colors. Opalescent gaze
the don’t-make-me-kick-your-ass attitude/stare/glare
Xander sent her a lazy look.
His eyes, open and slumberous, met hers
Glanced at her empty mug of coffee, wished more would magically appear
Shot him a quelling look
She eat up the sight of his rare grin
Eyes cut to her
Flicked him the quickest and coolest of glances
Eyes glinted at her from shadowed sockets
Fired at him out of dark eyes
Fluttered long lashes over dark brown eyes
She could see his eyes glint in the oncoming dusk, glint as they seemed to look right into hers
The dog gave her an exhausted, hopeful stare.
felt herself battered with the love his gaze sent out.
The sunglasses might have blocked Mason’s eyes, but Xander knew they narrowed and assessed.
Surprised blink
His glare stayed fixed on her.
Those eyes kindled/blistered/fevered/enkindled now with pure rage/defiance/wrath/contempt
Looking as dour as an undertaker
closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, they were bright with an intensity of feeling.
Divided a look between the two adversaries
His eyebrows came together in a half-frown
took her breath away with one long, steady stare
Gave her a long look, then nodded.
Shot a significant glance toward . . .
Held his gaze for a beat
Scrutinized him
Her eyes were feline
He narrowed his eyes as she grinned
Shot him a menacing look
His eyes snagged her heart
Eyes stabbed at him, lethal as knives. They wounded him, those eyes, spilled blood she couldn’t see.
his gaze snapped to hers, hot blue and intense
Flicked a glace at him, barely a heartbeat
Pressed her fingers to her eyes; ordered herself to deal with it.
For several seconds he looked at her as though she’d spoken in a foreign language,
Gave him a look that would drive nails
Eyes wild with panic
Gaze skim up as she drove
Noticed the triumph and gleam in his eyes
Looked out at the water, into oncoming evening
He shot him a querulous (petulant, whining) look
Under his baleful (menacing) stare, he squirmed in his chair
He felt her chest hitch with a small hiccup that presaged tears
Squeezed his eyes shut to keep his own tears inside
Stared vacantly for a few seconds
Flicked a gaze over to Crawford, who was sitting as still as a stone beside her, his eyes fixed on her, taking in every word.
Their gazes held for several seconds
Held each other’s gaze for a moment
Cop-speak
Finally, addressing the floor, he said,
He blinked him into focus
A sharp look
Held a steady gaze
Glanced at him with disbelief
Regarding him with scorn

Facial Expressions

He stared down at the toes of his boots and for several moments seemed immersed in the memory
Smug tilt at one corner of the detective’s lips signaled that he wasn’t going to like what was coming.
Screwed up his face as though thinking hard
His face went hart, went cold
She gave him a look that said he knew the reason. And he did.
Self-satisfied smirk
Pulled her lower lip through her teeth in distress
His lips pressed together as he looked off and away
She read his face
Scowl moved over her face
There was enough in his tone, in his eyes to tell her there was trouble.
Swallowed and bobbed his head in complete understanding
Lips parted in disbelief
Kept his features stony
At the mention of their names Crawford’s blood ran cold. Still, he kept his features schooled
Pruned her face
He smiled with a chagrin that made him human and likable
She had the grace to look chagrined (feeling distressed, troubled, or annoyed because of humiliation, hurt pride, disappointment, or failure)
Set his teeth on edge
Cheeks pinkened like a Christmas ham
worked his jaw horizontally. (side to side)
equal portions of fear and fury
instantly the pleasure on her face, in her heart, dissolved
Her brow knitted
Annoyance creased her brow
Puffed out his cheeks

Fright/Fear/Nervous/Stress

His heart clutched, then went stone cold
Fear blew through her again, one icy blast
Jagged ball of ice settled in her belly
His heart began to beat again
Watched her tense
A chill danced up her spine.
Heart was galloping, wild horses.
pressed her hand to her belly as it roiled.
Hands turned slick with nervous perspiration
Her skin went hot, then cold, and her breath grew short and choppy
At last threw off the paralysis
Her scream of pain and fright and horror earned another grin from him
The rush of blood in her ears, the knock of her own heart, the snake of sweat slithering down her back
She heard the ragged whoosh of her own breath
Felt a buzz at the back of his skull
She rubbed the back of her neck, where the lion’s share of her stress had chosen to make camp

Friendship

“I should tell you, then, I’ve decided we’re going to be really good friends, and I’m just relentless.”
“I haven’t had a really good friend in a long time. I’m out of practice.”

Gestures/Hand/Handshake/Hugs

He raised his shoulder, letting the gesture speak for him.
Closed his eyes and rubbed them with his thumb and index finger
Gestured that it hadn’t mattered
Dragged/raked his hand through his hair
Pressed a hand to her forehead, shoved it back through her hair.
Made a scissor motion with her fingers
Slapped her hand over her chest as though to keep her heart from leaping out
Thumped her chest as though jumpstarting her heart aj
Grinding out a cigarette
Made of show of dusting his hands
Held up a hand, thumped the other over her heart
He waved a hand
Pitching the bridge of his nose
Massaged the space between her eyebrows with the pad of her middle finger
He pressed his thumb and middle finder into his eye sockets and stifled a groan
Covered his face with his hands and slowly dragged them down
Rubbed her own arms as if to warm them
Laid hands on her shoulders
The hands in his pockets jingled loose change.
She picked up her wine/coffee, took a slow sip
Tapped her fingers on the table
Dragged/raked/tunneled her hand/fingers through her hair
Trailed a finger down her cheek
Hitched his chin toward the door
Less a social courtesy than an arm-wrestling match.
He made a show of looking at his wristwatch
He kneaded/rubbed the back of his neck
He stopped in the act of pouring himself a cup of coffee.
Clasped her hands together on the tabletop
Rubbing her temples as though they ached
He touched his eyebrow in a quasi-salute.
“Yesterday, a hero. Today?” He made a face and waggled his hand.
He raised his shoulder, a nonverbal, uncommitted answer.
The club owner slapped the area of his heart. “That hurts, that really does.”
Reached behind him and groped for the light switch, flipping it on
Head angled/cocked/hitched/canted
Wiped his runny nose on his sleeve as he nodded
Mimicked drinking a cup of coffee so his wife would take the hint
Jerked a shoulder
Already battling a vague headache, she rubbed at her temple.
Whistled, or tried to. His lips were too rubbery to pucker.
Gave a curt nod
Folded/crossed her eyes across her midriff
Already shaking his head
Thumping his fist on his thigh in time to his words
He gave a purely masculine and unrepentant shrug
Then he shocked [name] by pulling him into a hug. It was clumsy, awkward for both of them, but it counted. They thumped each other on the back.
continued to run her fingertips over his face as though to assure herself that he was really there.
Propped his fists on his hips
They remained in an awkward tableau until she invited everyone to sit down.
Hand arrested in midair
Pressing his thumb and middle finger into his eye sockets
rubbing her forehead as though to smudge the terrible images and make them easier to bear.
He pressed a hand to his heart

Grip

She was having to white-knuckle the glass of water to keep it steady
Clutching in a cold death grip

Joy/Rapture/Laughter/Happiness

She laughed, and he heard the tears in it,
He snuffled a mirthless laugh
He gave a harsh laugh
Any other time, Crawford would have laughed. But the situation was no laughing matter.
He gave a nasty laugh
Gave an embarrassed laugh
Giddy with disbelief
Something inside her jittered, but she ignored it
Saw the pleasure light up his face
With eyes laughing
With a laughing hoot
Guffawed
Eyes twinkled with humor even as she narrowed them
Snuffled a laugh and nodded his head knowingly

Kiss

He hauled her in for a kiss
He could feel the moisture of her breath on his lips, taste it
He kissed her like he meant it, like this kiss was going to be the last thing he ever did on earth, and he was going to do it right, thoroughly, and leave nothing wanting.
Kiss that caused a curling sensation low in her belly
The bold trespassing of his tongue
Drew her in to take her mouth
Tugged her over, pressed his mouth to hers
His mouth found hers
Captured her mouth with his
His mouth sampled and savored hers

Nature/Storms/Rain/Shadows

Mine: The sun fell and with it came silence
Shadows as smooth as still water
She studied him through the curtain of rain
Adrift on a sea of undulant shadows
Clutched/clenched fist of winter
His face/body/eyes skinned in shadows
Thunder mumbled overhead, over the rolling, muttering wind. The shimmer of lightning tossed all into an instant of relief, and brought a sick heaviness to her.
It was a dark night. The slender moon was obscured by a low ceiling of clouds.

People Descriptions

She judged him early thirties, sandy hair curling out from under the cap. A good strong jaw, a compact build. He held out a hand.
She could see him better now—a lot of dark, windblown hair, a sharp-boned profile under some scruff. A battered leather jacket, big hands on the knees of long legs. A hard and handsome face, a tough-guy face with the scruff, with the thick, windblown hair, a firm, full, unsmiling mouth.
Since his clean-shaven court appearance, he’d grown a scruff
Deep, bold blue eyes.
Moral cesspool
Lithe and long-legged
Smiled, revealing teeth that looked like old piano keys

Physical Appearance/Movements/Motion

Shoulder bones poked up like drawer pulls against her faded dress
Arched his back to work out the kinks
Blew on his coffee
Shoulders slumped
Squirmed with dislike over the reminder, but he couldn’t dispute it
Hugged her elbows
Tried to sidestep him, but he made a counter move and blocker her path
Knees went shaky
Her legs jellied on her
She started to wrench away, but he yanked her back
With sharp, jerky movements, she plucked the hat off her lap, set it on her head
Hugged herself
She came out of her chair, pushed it aside, and began pacing the area between the dresser and the foot of the bed.
Stroked her cheek with the back of his hand
Took a handful of his shirt and pulled him back
He was [doing something] when the sudden blare of a car horn arrested him in motion.
Mistrusting herself to linger for even a second longer, she got out of the car/left
Shifted his weight and resettled more comfortably in the bed/chair

Nervousness

Her stomach tied up.
Stripped/shrugged off his coat
Flutter in her belly
The attention had spiders crawling over her skin.
Tripped and stumbled inside her
It made him nervous too. In fact, it made him queasy.
Relieved himself with gratitude
Watched her throat work before she spoke, enjoyed the fear.
Her heart skidded

Point of View Reversal Techniques

He could tell Jim was shocked to hear him say that
She took a deep breath, he believed in order to control her vexation
Her thoughts must have revisited that moment, too, because . . .
He knew what it had cost the guy to say that. He almost felt sorry for. But he remained unmoved.

Reaching/Grabbing/Holding

She slipped a hand in her pocket, closed it over her pocketknife

Relief/Resolution

Felt ridiculous relief

Resolution/Resolve/Commitment

His jaw granite, his stance combative

Sex/Love Scenes/Intimacy

Keeping his hands on the wall, he pressed into her softness with unmistakable implication, bending his head, and claiming her mouth with his.
she went limp against him and allowed him complete access to her mouth.
His hands stilled on her shoulders, then moved to encircle her neck, his fingertips gently kneading the back of it.
A deep inhale caused her whole body to shudder.
He hugged her closer and sent his fingers up into her hair until he was cupping the back of her head in his hand. His other slid down her back and began stroking her spine. On one downward trip, it slid past the small of her back and settled on the curve of her hip. And stayed there
He laid his lips on hers, a brush, a rub. And her heart rolled over in her chest.
She took a deep breath, which shifted the topography under her t-shirt
She made a little sound, weepy pleasure, as she pressed him close
He didn’t go slow; he didn’t ease in. It was one bright, hot explosion followed by shuddering dark. His mouth covered, conquered, while his hands ran straight up her body as if they had every right, then down again. She gripped the sides of his waist, fingers digging in. And let herself burn.
When his mouth took hers it wasn’t for comfort, or to soothe, but to ignite. So that slow simmer, never fully banked, came roaring back to full, furious flame.
his mouth so urgent?
His hands skimmed up and down her sides. His mouth sampled and savored hers. And the heart that trembled for him began to beat for him, slow and thick.
He gripped her hands, held tight as her fingers curled with his. “Look at me. Look at me. Lil.” She opened her eyes, saw his face washed in the reds and golds of firelight.
He caught her hips, levered her up for a hard good-morning kiss.
He brushed his lips to hers, a teasing, then a sinking, sinking until it was drowning deep.
And she whispered his name as his lips raced frantically down her body.
Then it was all movement, mad, mindless. And when she broke again, he shattered with her.
Helpless she floated up, felt herself all but shimmer.
Sick with love.
She arched up, shocked by the bolt of pleasure, the sheer strength of it. their breath tangled.
She shot over his shoulder so that sultry summer scent spilled over him. She stopped, turned to him, into him, let herself just hold on.
It blew through him, that storm of feeling, all but took his breath. For an instant he wondered how people lived this way, how they could carry so much for someone else inside them.
Had to press the heel of her hand to her heart, order it to behave.
And she began to move, a gentle, sinuous roll. Torturously arousing, a smoky, smoldering fire in the blood
spoke in a low rumble that was rich with carnal implications
Imprinted her body with his
one strong arm encircled her waist and firmly positioned her backside against an unquestionably aroused man.
whimper of pleasure melded with a whine asking for more. his mouth was fastened to her breast.
The heat of his mouth encompassed her. For precious moments, he did nothing else. Just that. Just there. A gentle suction held her with motionless and incredible intimacy. Until gradually he began to make love.
Fondled her breast
Nestled her head against his neck
Wanted to strike him and climb him in equal measure
continued to run her fingertips over his face as though to assure herself that he was really there.
Cove of her thighs
Ell of her shoulder and neck
She ran her hand down his arm until their fingers linked.
Insides went soft and jittery
His free hand snaked up, gripped the back of her nexk. And his mouth, hot, desperate, familiar, captured hers.

Sitting

He slumped in it, crossed his ankles, and gazed out the window while waiting for Neal to finish.
Dropped back into his seat
propped one ankle on his opposite knee and rested his linked fingers on his midriff, settling in.
He left his chair.
Squirmed in his chair
Bounded/lurched out of the chair
Pushed out of her chair
He shifted in his chair, trying but failing to better fit his tall frame into the preformed plastic
He struggled to sit up and swung his feet to the floor, propped his elbows on his knees, and held his face in his hands as he . . .

Scent

Quaffing the scent of her hair aj

Sleep

Her head was muzzy from lack of sleep

Smiles/Grins

Gave her that cocky grin
Forced himself to smile.
The faintest hint of humor touched his mouth
Grinning after her
Cracked a smile
His lips curved
Spiking a conman smile
Added with a tight smile
She forced her lips to curve
Forced himself to chuckle
The smile that spread slowly across his face was intolerably smug
Gave a weak smile
He didn’t smile, nor did his eyes
His mouth and eyes unsmiling
Smile spread slowly
He grinned, ducked his head a little
Made her smile and mean it
Didn’t so much as blink at the quip, much less smile

Stand/Walk/Run/Move/Movement

Walked a slow circle in the confined space. When he’d made a complete three-sixty, he said,
He came to his feet
He pushed to his feet
Stamped through the house to the front door
Turned his back and stalked away
Started to walk away, then stopped
He lunged from the chair
He perched on the edge of his chair
He prowled her office like a caged lion
She boosted up to her toes and gave him a smacking kiss
Shifted his feet
Levered himself off the sofa
execute an about-face and steered him back into the corridor.
By now they had reached the back door
With her in tow, he
He struck off running toward it
Plunged into the rain/night
Lunged to his feet, sending his chair over backward
Pushed back his chair and stood
Flounce: to go with impatient or impetuous, exaggerated movements: The star flounced out of the studio in a rage
Standing, legs spread, he squinted at the sky
Muscles in her legs wept

Surprise/Bewilderment

That hit him unexpectedly, and his heart bumped, then began to beat erratically.
Choked on a gulp of coffee
lips parted in bewilderment over what had just happened.

Sorrow/Crying/Tears

*knuckled a fresh tear away
Swiped at the tears
Went watery at the edges
Tears flooded up again
Eyes welled

Thoughts/Thinking

In his mind, Crawford was chanting swear words,
Mentally cursing
The cogs in the wheels of Crawford’s brain clicked into place and suddenly it all made sense.
He thought about that
Inside his head a clamor began
It etched an image in his mind
Nothing too obvious, she ordered herself
She thought, I’m yours, but kept the words to herself

Touch

She reached out, laid a hand over his, lightly, briefly. But is was all there in the touch. Comfort, sympathy, understanding
Cupped the back of her neck in his hand

Vocal Qualities

a voice that held just the right amount of smoke.
Voice low and rusty
Misplaced constriction in her throat
Sound he made was part groan, part growl
Gave a skeptical grunt
Voice was like a rumble of distant thunder that warned of the violence packed into an approaching storm
Thickening windpipe
Voice cracked on her shout, and it shocked him into silence
His voice was gravel spilling down a steel chute
Quiet murmur was thick and shaky
The gravity of his tone stopped her
His insistent tone coaxed from her a small not of reluctant acquiescence
Writing Conventions
“Tonight, I want you, and if that doesn’t—” She broke off when he gave her a yank so her body met his.
On a half sob . . .
“Give. Me. Your. Phone.”

Category: Dialog, Exposition, News, Storytelling, Voice, Writing Craft

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