1. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,877
    Likes Received:
    5

    How to describe 'crying'

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Cacian, Jan 28, 2012.

    I believe it is one thing to show a picture of somone crying and another trying to describe.
    There are tears of joy to take into account.
    How do you describe someone crying because of joy as oppose to crying because of hurt.

    I usually associate crying with saddness or hurt and that is why I am not finding the words to describe it convincingly.
    I find the vocabulary for that is quite wide.

    He burst into tears
    He cried his eyes out
    He shed tears
    He sobbed
    He was tearfull

    these would not apply to tears of say happiness/joy
    this for example is not correct
    He sobbed tears of joy
    He cried because he was happy.

    There is also tears of laughter.
    He laughed so much he had tears in his eyes.
    I am trying to describe someone with tears of happiness
     
  2. Kallithrix

    Kallithrix Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2011
    Messages:
    390
    Likes Received:
    15
    Location:
    UK
    'She cried tears of happiness'

    Done.

    Don't try to overcomplicate it, or it will look contrived or melodramatic.
     
  3. leadbelly

    leadbelly New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2012
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    'His eyes welled with tears, his lips forming a smile.'
    'He tried sniffing discretely, as he smiled brightly.'

    There's a tons of ways... just make sure you show and don't tell--it will have a bigger emotional impact on the reader.

    I find when I'm stuck on how to show something, I'll go to YouTube and find a clip or dozens of what I'm trying to convey, watch them and then work from there. Think of all the mechanics that actually go into crying and just write about that (not in the context of your story just yet). Once you feel good about writing the action, then try working it into your story.
     
  4. Kallithrix

    Kallithrix Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2011
    Messages:
    390
    Likes Received:
    15
    Location:
    UK
    Both of these are somewhat over-described, IMO. When showing emotions its best to keep it simple and concise. Going into minute detail of every smiling sniff and snot trail just looks over the top.
     
  5. Show

    Show Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2008
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    35
    Anything can be over-the-top if overdone. However, sometimes bare bones detail just comes off as flat and unmoving, which can be just as detrimental as overdescribing. I personally think "he cried tears of happiness" is a little more over the top than showing me the actions of shedding tears and crying.
     
  6. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,877
    Likes Received:
    5
    He cried tears of happiness is heavy as a sentence.
    I am trying to think of whole word that conveys the action of tears of joy which I am sure is not there.
    He cried on its own is usually understood as an act of saddness or upset.
    A similar word to express the same but with an opposite meaning to upset does not actually exist.
     
  7. Yoshiko

    Yoshiko Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2009
    Messages:
    749
    Likes Received:
    31
    A character simply wiping their eyes is enough to convey that they are crying. As is bowing their head and their shoulders trembling. Or snuffling/a red nose and a shift in their breathing pattern. More frequent blinking and damp/glossy eyes can suggest they are about to start crying while bloodshot/puffy eye(lid)s suggests that they already have. Depending on the content of the scene itself it should be obvious to the reader exactly why they are crying -- whether it's from remorse, frustration, pain, relief, joy, etc or even a combination of reasons -- so I don't see a need to directly specify what 'type' of tears they are.
     
  8. Dante Dases

    Dante Dases Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2008
    Messages:
    3,455
    Likes Received:
    176
    Location:
    West Yorkshire, England
    Cacian, you will not develop as a writer if you keep asking these questions instead of finding out for yourself. The best way to find out how to describe tears of happiness, etc, is to sit down and write. Then when that's done, edit. And then write some more. At the moment, you're using others to do your work for you, although you're clearly thinking about what you could say rather than relying on those others. You'll not develop your own style doing that - just amalgamate a hodge-podge of the styles of others without knowing why it is you're writing like that.

    There are a few pointers every writer should know, and which guidance (not specific advice) should be given on. Things like what showing is against telling. Reminders to do just that. Don't use two words where one will do, etc.

    So my advice to you, Cacian, is that you should go away and just write the scene. Remember to show, and not tell, and then look critically at what you've written. If you don't think it's good enough, edit it, rewrite it. Learn by doing. You'll become a better writer for it.
     
  9. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    if you read enough good writing, you wouldn't have to ask, because you'd have examples to go by...

    as for yours, none of them are 'showing' us a person is crying... they're just 'telling' us someone is crying...
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice