Tags:
  1. Dem

    Dem New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2012
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0

    How does one describe...

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Dem, Dec 23, 2012.

    ...an accusatory look? Like, I'm trying to have one character tell another one, non-verbally, to shut up, because what he says is counter productive. Preferably using a look or glance.

    So, anyone got an idea of how to go about this?
     
  2. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    10,742
    Likes Received:
    9,991
    Location:
    Near Sedro Woolley, Washington
    Just a glare is fine. Don't pile on the words. Nothing should be said. Maybe the head should be tilted. I'm not going to tell you how to write it, because that's the fun of writing, isn't it? Express the emotion without saying the words. And do that in words.
     
  3. captain kate

    captain kate Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Cruising through space.
    Something similar to this is probably what you're thinking of. Either one would work, one's perhaps a bit telling and the other a bit of showing. It'd depend on how you'd want to right the scene.


    Tom started to blather on. "You know there was that time..."
    She crossed her arms, and narrowed her eyes before giving him a look that killed. or She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes before sighing.
    Tom looked at her, mouth open in mid-word, before he closed it and sat down.
     
  4. johann77

    johann77 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    Messages:
    83
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Some where between there and over there, I'm aro
    usually with a straight face. You have seen people make accusitaory statements, don't you remember what their facial expression was?
     
  5. Jon Deavers

    Jon Deavers New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2012
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Richmond, VA
    I usually get an accusatory look from my wife via a frown and a single raised eyebrow.
     
  6. Daniel Cassidy

    Daniel Cassidy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Likes Received:
    0
    I usually get the eyes squinted at me, or is that angry? Well, when you're married, often times accusatory and angry are the same thing!
     
  7. tmrose

    tmrose New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    2
    Pursed lips. Clearing of the throat. Glare. Heavy silence. Squeeze of the hand. Pinch. It all depends on context.
     
  8. Em_Anders

    Em_Anders Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    66
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Brunswick, OH
    That or the pursed lips/frown and lowered brows. My husband gets that one when I'm really furious.

    Accusatory facial expressions would vary, of course, from person to person. It isn't the same across the board. What does your own face look like when you're looking at someone with occular accusation? Take a look in the mirror, see what you come up with. If it isn't what you think your character would do, then do some visual research with friends or family. What do their faces do when giving their accusatory expression?
     
  9. Dem

    Dem New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2012
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for the advice, everybody. It's been very helpful!
     
  10. DefinitelyMaybe

    DefinitelyMaybe Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2012
    Messages:
    856
    Likes Received:
    238
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Sounds like an opportunity to use a metaphor to me.
     
  11. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    a shake of the head
    a frown
    a wag of the forefinger
    a scolding/scalding word/sound

    why rely solely on a facial expression, when you have so many ways to show it?
     
  12. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    Glare would be a perfect word for this I think.
     
  13. TheDoctor97

    TheDoctor97 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2012
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    The Earth.
    I know that I tend to raise both my eyebrows, and make my mouth tight when I'm trying to get someone to be quiet. Normally at school. In awkward situations. Yeah.
     
  14. Thumpalumpacus

    Thumpalumpacus Alive in the Superunknown

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2012
    Messages:
    594
    Likes Received:
    165
    Location:
    Texas
    Eyebrows arched, chin lowered, direct gaze.
     
  15. Pythonforger

    Pythonforger Carrier of Insanity

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Amongst the Mortals
    "X looked at Y, who stopped talking immediately."

    The readers should get that X is giving Y an accusatory look from the context. If they can't, your problem is dialogue, not prose.
     
  16. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    "Glared" is a good verb. And, as Pythonforger pointed out, the reaction of the character receiving the look rounds out the action.
     
  17. sorennoah

    sorennoah Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2012
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    1
    Here's a useful word that can help

    Tacit - Understood or implied without being stated.
    Tacitly - in a tacit manner
     
  18. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    how can that help in re what the op is asking?
     
  19. sorennoah

    sorennoah Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2012
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    1
    "one character tell another one, non-verbally"

    It's not obvious how the word tacit could contribute to the expression of this concept?
     
  20. captain kate

    captain kate Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Cruising through space.

    maia's right on this. There's plenty of words, actions or otherwise to get the point across. Sometimes folks are busy trying to re-invent the wheel here. Her advice is probably the best in this thread to be honest.
     
  21. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    ...no, it's not... because you don't seem to understand what 'tacit' or 'tacitly' means and/or how they can be used...

    tacitly doesn't refer to how one can express an emotion in written work... something is understood 'tacitly' without doing anything at all... as in 'tacit approval' which means it's understood that something can be done and no one has to say anything, or do anything to let others know it can...

    if you really think it can apply here, give us some examples of how you would do so...
     
  22. SuperVenom

    SuperVenom Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2010
    Messages:
    475
    Likes Received:
    71
    Location:
    South Wales
    I would say it could be down to the reaction of the character. Noticing the look and knowing they had to be quiet. 'John chatted non stop about his new boat but noticing his wife's dissproving look stopped instantly. '

    Just an idea :)
     

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