In the first draft of my debut novel “You Are My Sunshine”, I didn’t write much body language solely because I didn’t know how to. Apart from the usual curling fist or lifting of the chin; which was overused and not unique to my style, I didn’t know much.

I did however find a cheat sheet online– these were tables of emotions alongside the body language that may go with them. They were invaluable in creating interesting and engaging interactions between my characters. Body language is the heart and soul of the cardinal rule of writing: Show, Dont Tell.

Body language can help to convey emotions, motivations, and relationships in a way that dialogue alone can’t. But, as with all things in writing, it’s important to get it right.

So, what should you keep in mind when writing body language in your romantic comedies?

Do’s:

Show, don’t tell: Use body language to show the characters’ emotions and thoughts, rather than telling the reader. This will help to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the reader.

Keep it realistic: Body language should be believable and consistent with the characters and the situation. Research real-life body language and use it as a reference to keep your writing grounded in reality.

Use body language to build tension: Body language can be a powerful tool for building tension between characters. Think about the nonverbal cues that people use to express attraction, anger, or discomfort, and use them to build tension and conflict in your scenes.

Don’ts:

Overdo it: Too much description of body language can become overwhelming and take away from the dialogue and action. Keep it brief and focused on the most important gestures and expressions.

Make it cliché: Avoid overused gestures and expressions, such as the eye roll or the crossed arms, unless they serve a specific purpose in the scene.

Neglect body language: While it’s important not to overdo it, it’s also important not to neglect body language altogether. Characters should be shown to be interacting physically with each other, not just talking at each other.

Writing body language adds depth and richness to your romantic comedy scenes and helps to build tension and conflict between characters.

Just remember to show, don’t tell, keep it realistic, and use it to build tension, while avoiding overdoing it and making it cliché.

Happy writing!