Reddit reviews The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression

It's called The Emotion Thesaurus.

In the words of Chuck Wendig, "Finish your shit." Just completing the manuscript will teach you a lot, and it's great experience for you as a writer. If this is your first novel-length work, it will likely be painful to get everything out there, but do it anyway.

Perhaps don't think of it as a trilogy right now, though. Write a complete story, take it where you intend to take it, and just write the best manuscript you can. A novel is stressful enough, so you don't need to add on the idea of writing Book 2 and Book 3 to yourself during this process.

There are good resources out there for showing emotions, etc. You can show it with creative tags, or by the characters' actions. Many writing guides will tell you to at least try to stay away from adverbs. If you feel yourself using too many of those, try to cut most of them out and replace them with something else. Instead of "he eyed him contemptuously" try to show that contempt on his face through a few words of description (jaw tightening, clenched, eyes narrowing, top lips curling up, etc). Here's a decent resource for helping you to describe emotions (a handy tool that might help you out of a few tough spots here and there).

With respect to motivation, I leave you with the quote attributed to R.A. Salvatore: "If you can quit, then quit. If you can't, then you're a writer."

The Emotion Thesaurus is fantastic for this. It lists, like, 50 different emotions and the body language that goes with them.

I like to use tone to get across the protagonist's mood while carrying on with character interaction & build, plot, description, etc.
Yes, description combined with a sombre tone is very nice.

You can always use The Emotion Thesaurus. It has excellent reviews. Buy it if you struggle to convey emotion.

I just bought this for myself and I'm loving it.

Emotional Thesaurus

Amazon Bestseller: The Emotion Thesaurus

Some of these aren't on Amazon, but all of them outside of amazon are on my wishlist, is that okay?

1.) Something that is grey.

[This compilation of xkcd comics!] (http://www.amazon.com/xkcd-0-Randall-Munroe/dp/0615314465/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1KXQQYMQ3MHEJ&coliid=I12D1D7CV12AVC) Though there aren't any formerly-unseen comics included, this is perfect for the lover of the famous (and always relevant) Xkcd webcomics.

2.) Something reminiscent of rain.

[This t-shirt for fans of Incubus that is apparently out of stock now, but I'm keeping it on my wishlist to gaze wistfully at.] (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/315rOsJeWzL._SL135_.jpg)
Incubus has always been one of my favorite bands, and all art that the lead singer (Brandon Boyd) produces is amazing, so I had high faith in this shirt being wonderful if I had the money to buy it.

3.) Something food related that is unusual.

[So I typed in "candy" and this popped up..] (http://www.amazon.com/LOCOMO-Rainbow-Hedgehog-Plastic-Baseball/dp/B00BRWH99K/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_2_49?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1376327288&sr=1-49&keywords=candy)
I'm not sure what I was expecting.

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why.

[My mom has always wanted to learn calligraphy and someone recommended this book to me] (http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Calligraphy-Complete-Lettering-Design/dp/0767907329/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1KXQQYMQ3MHEJ&coliid=I35YCU37X7E6Y2)
She paints signs for people, usually featuring newborn babies or pets, and she always has to print out a guide and trace it if her customers request a font for their name.

5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it!

[This compilation of postsecrets-- artistic postcards with secrets written on them-- that are all touching in their own way.] (http://www.amazon.com/PostSecret-Extraordinary-Confessions-Ordinary-Lives/dp/0060899190/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1KXQQYMQ3MHEJ&coliid=I22JZDFLS686V8)
If you haven't heard of Postsecret yet, you should check it out [here] (http://www.postsecret.com/)

6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!

I dunno!

7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...)

I have two cats, but I got nothing for this one.

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it.

[This key from KeypersCove] (http://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Winter-Rose-Key-Necklace/dp/B00D3S4GVU/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376329005&sr=8-1&keywords=keypers+cove)
I had a similar one on my wishlist but it's out of stock now.

9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why?

[Cloud Atlas!] (http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Atlas/dp/B00CRWJ5GO/ref=sr_sp-btf_title_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1376329072&sr=8-4&keywords=clouds+atlas)
Terribly confusing unless you see the [trailer] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWnAqFyaQ5s) first, it's surprisingly appropriate for this sub.

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain.

[This climbing pick] (http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Pacific-Mountain-Axe-80cm/dp/B002J91R1G/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376330277&sr=8-2&keywords=climbing+pick)
Ever played Telltale's The Walking Dead? Well, one character had a climbing pick that they used pretty frequently to scale buildings and kill zombies..it opened my eyes to the possibilities and dual uses of items.

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals.

[This book] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Emotion-Thesaurus-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) for my writing skills, I always have trouble finding just the right way to convey the proper emotion, plus I have severe social anxiety so it would help me figure out how to act in real life as well.

[Or this book by the famous Virginia Woolf] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Waves-Harvest-Book-ebook/dp/B004R1Q41C/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1KXQQYMQ3MHEJ&coliid=IHP0D0N718720) just the type of writing style I'm aiming for.

[Or this book that I'm sure would help me with my technique.] (http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Tools-Essential-Strategies-Writer/dp/0316014990/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items.

Hm?

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why?

I used to have this on my list, but a [Geiger counter] (http://www.amazon.com/Radex-RD1503-RADEX-Radiation-Detector/dp/B00051E906/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376331004&sr=8-1&keywords=geiger+counter) because I'm paranoid about radiation and etc. Deleted it off my list because it's not useful for everyday life.

14.) Something bigger than a bread box. EDIT A bread box is typically similar in size to a microwave.

I got nothing on my list.

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball.

[These socks] (http://www.amazon.com/Portal-Chells-Aperture-Science-Socks/dp/B008JGPSJU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1KXQQYMQ3MHEJ&coliid=I2KUOG9B813AXT) because they're ultra thin and I'm sure they could be crumpled up that small.

16.) Something that smells wonderful.

I'd put something here, but there's nothing I'm sure of. [This book] (http://www.amazon.com/White-Fluffy-Clouds-Inspiration-Forward/dp/0974512001/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1KXQQYMQ3MHEJ&coliid=I16LKBYPI8BE5U) because it could smell like Brandon Boyd?

17.) A (SFW) toy.

I've got nothing!

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school.

[This shirt] (http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/rising-t-shirt/13087/) because I find it amazing, oh my god oh my god.

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be.

[I've been trying to learn Irish for quite awhile now..] (http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Irish-Michael-OSiadhail/dp/0300121776/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376331377&sr=8-1&keywords=learn+irish)

20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand.

[This poster, this poster!] (http://smbc.myshopify.com/products/dear-human-19x27-poster) To see what it's based on, the original comic is [here] (http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2223)

I just posted this on someone's question.

On Amazon, I once found an Emotional Thesaurus I liked being able to pick an emotion (such as wistful) and look at the different words and actions related to it.

Hope that helps!

I bought this. Helped to come up with some more expressive explanations. It also has helped me to identify my feelings because it describes what’s going on in the body: https://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958/ref=nodl_

The Negative Trait Thesaurus, with the Emotion Thesaurus, Positive Trait Thesaurus and the Emotional Wound Thesaurus.

Also Careers for Your Characters: A Writers Guide to 101 Professions from Architect to Zookeeper which "Provides over one hundred descriptions of occupations that can be used for writing fiction, detailing the daily life, jargon, and salaries of such fields as dentistry, entertainment, law, and architecture."

And The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook is good for times when I can't get online to find names.

Master Lists for Writing is also a good one.

The Psychology Workbook for Writers

Creating Character Arcs Workbook

Thinking Like A Romance Writer: The Sensual Writer's Sourcebook of Words and Phrases A friend got me this for Christmas, mostly to laugh at, but I thought I'd add it anyway.

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression

Check out the emotional thesaurus. It's not online but used copies are cheap enough.

https://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958

You mean like The Emotion Atlas? http://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958

There's a book called the Emotional Thesaurus that might help. I hear good things about it and I see articles reference it everywhere. It might be really good for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958

building on thesaurus resources: http://www.amazon.ca/The-Emotion-Thesaurus-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958

This one gives a variety possible actions related to an emotion. Might help you find a new direction (or calm you down). It's a writing resource mostly but I think it may be applicable in what you're trying to accomplish.

Someone in this forum recently recommended this series of books. They give lists of physical and behavioral signs of emotions and personality traits. I bought all three, and I've never looked back. They don't have every single emotion, but are still a boon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1475004958/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_23